Plymouth giving up 32 percent
  FoodShare drive a success

2007-2008 has been kind to Groveland Food Shelf. As March approached, we were unsure of what to expect. We depend on Minnesota FoodShare to refresh our coffers in order to make it through the lean summer months. Would capital spending at our supporting churches cause donations to dwindle? A soft economy and higher food prices were certain to cause pain to our clients, but would that affect our donors as well?

Our concerns were unfounded. Giving was up 39 percent overall, with Plymouth contributions up 32 percent to nearly $26,000. This includes monies given directly by members, as well as a sizable amount from the Plymouth Easter Offering, which is also, of course, from the members. Our total intake was more than $60,000, which is half of our annual operating budget.

As the year goes on, we’re not sure what to expect, with projections for a weaker economy through much if not all of 2008 into 2009.

Food prices are expected to continue their rise for perhaps as long as the next five years as issues such as more expensive fuel, changes in eating patterns in developing countries, changes in weather patterns and the use of grains for bio-fuel rather than food cause worldwide shortages.

Groveland certainly won’t be immune to these forces, but we’re well positioned thanks to your kind help as we go forward in 2008. Thank you very much.

Our space has been expanded and rehabilitated. We still have work to do, but it’s beginning to take shape. As part of that expansion, we received a walk-in refrigerator and freezer. This has increased our ability to receive more milk, fresh produce and frozen meats along with other items needing some level of refrigeration. The changes have given us the opportunity to better serve our clients by allowing them to "shop" for their food rather than receiving a pre-packed bag. We’re hoping to finalize our floor plan this month and make some cosmetic changes to give it a lighter feel.

A concert of Mendelssohn’s Elijah benefiting the Groveland Food Shelf will be held Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, performed by the Cathedral Choir, Choral Society and Orchestra. Tickets are $25 ($20 seniors/students); $10 from each ticket will be donated to the Food Shelf. Tickets can be purchased at the Cathedral Bookshop or at the door.

The World of Whittier Celebration is May 10 from l to 4 p.m. The annual fair celebrates the diverse Whittier community and neighborhood by encouraging residents of all ages and backgrounds to get involved, connect with others and feel proud of our community. The theme this year is "Promoting Peace." It’s held at Whittier Park at 26th St. and Grand Ave. So. Plymouth will again host the very popular cake walk. To volunteer to help at this festive day, contact Outreach Board member Sandy Klapperich, 612/338-3472.

Doug Hoverson won a Minnesota Book Award for his Land of Amber Waters: The History of Brewing in Minnesota (University of Minnesota Press). Doug is a certified beer judge and award-winning home brewer. The judges said the book "combines entertaining style and attractive, high-quality design."

A gathering of members of  "Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness" will be at Plymouth on Sunday, May 4, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., led by Jim Gertmenian, co-chair, and Cathy ten Broeke, director, of Heading Home Hennepin (HHH).

HHH is a 10-year plan designed to end homelessness in Minneapolis and Hennepin County by the year 2016. It was developed by 70 business, civic and faith leaders from the community, with significant input from homeless and formerly homeless individuals.

The program will include an update on HHH, an overview of 15 downtown congregations’ collaboration to end homelessness and how advocacy can make a difference.

There are two Habitat for Humanity volunteer opportunities for Plymouth members and friends to help build new affordable housing and repair existing homes.

First, the week of July 7, Habitat volunteers will make minor repairs to an existing home in Minneapolis (site to be determined). Done under a special Habitat program called "Brush with Kindness," this work could involve interior or exterior painting. Second, the week of Sept. 8 will find volunteers doing new construction on a home at the corner of 13th and Como Aves. S.E.

As always, all skill levels are needed. One of the most rewarding aspects of Habitat work is learning new skills while helping to provide affordable housing. If your interest is not building or repairing, arranging and serving snacks or a noon meal for the building crew is always needed and much appreciated.

Many workers are needed at both events. If you can help all week or a day, contact Connie Marty at 612/977-1284 or conniem@plymouth.org. To help with food, contact Ann Cole, 763/546-7483 or jwcole1536@aol.com. As we get closer to the work weeks, look on Plymouth’s website at www.plymouth.org/about/habitat.php for details. Come enjoy a great summer, building together!

I first became aware of the significance of organ and blood donations when my coworker, Stan, received a lung transplant in December of 1999. I knew there was little I could do to help him directly during his difficult recovery, but I realized that I could give a small gift of life and hope through a blood donation at the Red Cross. I’ve continued to donate blood – and platelets – regularly since August of 2000. It’s one of the most satisfying things I do.

Plymouth will provide all of us with the opportunity to donate blood on Sunday, June 8, right in our church building. Staff of the American Red Cross Twin Cities Area Chapter will set up a donation center in the Jackman Room and will accept donations from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you’re at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health, it’s very likely you’re eligible to donate.

A simple pint of blood is one of the most important and least expensive donations you can make. Consider these facts:

The week before you donate...
...eat iron-rich foods to boost your hemoglobin level. Just before you donate, get a good night’s sleep, eat a nourishing breakfast and drink extra water. If you have questions about your eligibility because of medications you’re taking (very few will disqualify you) or countries you’ve traveled to, you can call a Red Cross donor health consultant at 651/291-4646 or 1-800/463-3917. You’ll also find information at www4.givebloodgivelife.org/donors.

RAY SUAREZ of NPR and PBS (top left with host Jim Gertmenian), Sojourner’s Jim Wallis (above right) and Tikkun’s Rabbi Michael Lerner were keynote speakers at the Plymouth Center’s Voting Justice, Voting Hope conference, with more than 500 people attending all or part of the gathering April 11-13. On Saturday, attendees had a choice of 30 sessions on various topics; above left is one of those sessions, on "Spirituality and Social Justice," led by Rabbi Or Rose of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College. (Chris Bohnhoff photos) Lydia’s closet always in need It’s always exciting to move into a new space. It’s also expensive … especially if you’re moving out of homelessness into an apartment like those at Lydia Apartments. You could go to Target, Wal-Mart or Macy’s for your household items, but if you’re moving into Lydia, you probably can’t afford those stores. That’s why Lydia’s Closet was established; it offers one-stop "shopping" for all new tenants and also allows long-term tenants to re-supply when they need to. There’s always someone moving out and someone moving into the 40 efficiency apartments, so the demand remains steady. Lydia’s Closet is one of the supportive features that helps the tenants begin their new lives. Like most of us, Lydia tenants appreciate new or like-new goods, not those which have been worn out or don’t work so well. So please help to fill up Lydia’s Closet with your donations of new or used goods, which you can drop at Plymouth on Sundays, May 4-18. Household goods that are always in demand include: • Linens: new twin sheet sets, new pillows, almost-new blankets and bedspreads, almost-new or new towel sets. • Kitchen items: pots and pans, toasters, coffeemakers, dinnerware. • Household items: table lamps, working TVs, DVD and CD players, area rugs. Please don’t donate coffee mugs. We all have too many of those. Also, the Closet doesn’t accept clothing, only household items. Look for the drop-off tables in Jones Commons.     –Marcia Giske

Lemon and lime peels, apple cores, dried-up lettuce leaves, broccoli and cauliflower greens. Leaves, overripe berries and old, wrinkly carrots, dirt from old flowerpots – a compost salad recipe.

In a corner of your yard or garden, create a composting space, using a professional composting frame or container, or creating your own. Into it toss fruit and vegetable peels, grass clippings and dried leaves, shredded paper and cardboard, paper towels, coffee grounds, eggshells, teabags and more. This mixture of moist and dry materials creates a balance of nutrients, rewarding you in 12 to 18 months with rich, dark soil to add to your garden. (Don’t include dairy or meat products.)

Keep the compost moist by sprinkling it occasionally, and turn it with a shovel or spade every week or so.

This is a great family project. Children can add and mix new materials into existing ones. It’s easy and fun to watch the materials recycle themselves into new, useful gardening matter. This compost then can be worked into your gardens to help new things grow.

For details, go online and Google "composting," or find information at your library. Some local city governments provide this information to residents.

The Hennepin County Brooklyn Park recycling facility also sells a limited number of composters for $35 during specified hours.

Enriching the earth by recycling and giving back to it these good things … that’s caring for creation.

(For additional Caring for Creation tips, visit www.plymouth.org and click on "Caring for Creation resources" on the Home page)

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JOAN AND JACK PARSONS were surprised with a cake marking their 50 years with the Curiosity Club, a Plymouth small group. They joined when the group started in 1957. The learning and fellowship group meets to experience and explore new things.