9/3/14 The decision has been made to continue working with CCS (Church Community Services) for our chosen charity during the rally. CCS was created 45 years ago as a program to address issues of poverty in the Elkhart Community. Today, over 50 churches work together to support programs that benefit families, men's and women's training sessions, food bank, vegetable gardens, etc. Their website is
www.churchcommunityservices.org if you would like to learn more.
They are in specific need of the following items:
-Personal care: shampoo, body wash, feminine care products, deodorant, toothpaste/toothbrushes, razors. (Dollar Tree Store is a good source for many of these products.)
-Cereal: Any kind of boxed or oatmeal.
-Boxed Dinners
-Baby Products: diapers (any size), wipes, new onesies (any size), new socks, baby shampoo/wash, baby juice/cereal/food.
-Gift cards to Meijers
-Used Lambs wool sweaters can be donated. They are cut up and made into wonderful, warm mittens that are sold as a fundraiser. (Other fabrics don't work as well.)
We will have a canopy set up through the week to accept donations. CCS will be picking up our donated treasures on Tuesday, September 30.
Thank you in advance for your continued support of this very worthwhile charity!
Glenn & Mary
10/17/2014 UPDATE The following messages were received from the very grateful people at CCS. Thanks again for the wonderful donations. You all outdid yourselves and it is very appreciated. Bless you!
"Because of the gifts from the Montana owners, some of our neighbors who face empty cupboards had food when they might not have otherwise.Nutritious food is such an essential building block for success and health in life, for children and for adults. Yet food insecurity – lacking the means to obtain sufficient food – plagues one in six in our county. Both our food pantry and our Food Bank of Elkhart County exist to get food to these neighbors, the pantry to them directly and the food bank to the other pantries and hot meal sites in our county.Thank you for being part of a community that cares about building hope -- a nationwide community! Thanks for your contribution to our organization."
"The total pounds donated were: 88#'s of food and 230#'s of non-food, along with a gift card and cash. All of this product was distributed through our Pantry, to the guests that come through. All was greatly appreciated by those who received it."