We want to share a heartfelt thank you to Naperville Running Company for regularly donating shoes for people who are unhoused or cannot afford to purchase good-quality shoes. 
 
Their most recent donation of 60 pairs of shoes was passed along to First St. Paul Lutheran Church, which connects with people in need by serving community meals, hosting a foot clinic, partnering with Chicago Help Initiative, and giving basic need items to people at the free store. 
 
Generous donations like these make it possible for churches to help people in need by sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ. 

We are thrilled to report that one of our Human Care appeals has made a significant impact on a family in need. Through the generosity of our donors, the Nichols family was able to repair their roof, addressing a crucial need in their household. A recent update from the pastor highlights the positive effects of this support on the family.

We are thrilled to announce that we have received a significant toy donation from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Des Plaines, Illinois. This generous donation was shared with Breakfast with Baby at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carol Stream, Illinois.

Breakfast with Baby is a wonderful ministry that meets monthly to support local families by providing warm meals, fostering community connections, and supplying essential items for families with young children. We are grateful for this collaboration and its impact on families in need.

A generous donor has contributed $1,000 worth of kitchenware to Tabor Lutheran Church in Chicago. This donation included sets of dishes, pots, and pans, as well as small kitchen appliances.

The donated items will be instrumental in supporting families in need within the community. We extend our deepest gratitude to the generous donor for their kindness and generosity towards those who will benefit from these essential household items.

We received a generous donation of 50 pairs of shoes from the Naperville Running Store and a donation of 30 shirts along with 25 pairs of pants from GiveNKind. These contributions will make a significant impact on the lives of those in need. We are deeply grateful for the support shown by these organizations.

The donated shoes and clothes will be shared with the Free Store in Downtown Chicago, a vital initiative that collaborates with First St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Chicago Help Initiative, St. Chrysostom, and Lutheran Church Charities. The Free Store plays a crucial role in providing essential items to individuals who are experiencing homelessness.

Your donations will directly benefit those who rely on the Free Store for basic necessities. Thank you to Naperville Running Store and GiveNKind for their generosity and to all those involved in supporting this important cause.

We extend a special thank you to the generous donor who partnered with the Human Care team to provide beds for a family in need.
 
Tabor Lutheran Church, in the heart of Chicago, ministers to many families who move from Latin America and empowers them to build a more stable life. Freddy came from Guatemala a year ago and brought with him the hope of bringing his wife and children to live in the United States once he was more established. With help from Tabor Lutheran Church, Freddy’s dream is now becoming a reality and he is preparing a home for them.
 
The generous people who donated needed beds will help Freddy create a safe and comfortable environment for his children. When churches and donors partner with Lutheran Church Charities, we can offer the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation to those who are in need. We are better together!

The Human Care team is overflowing with gratitude and appreciation towards a thoughtful donor who recently contributed baby supplies and children's toys.
 
Each item donated holds immense significance in the lives of families in need. From the essential baby bathtub ensuring safe bathing experiences to the plates, bowls, and blankets creating a warm mealtime ambiance for toddlers, every donation plays a pivotal role. The shoes safeguarding the little ones' feet during playtime and the toys sparking their creativity are equally invaluable for their development.
 
These tangible blessings will soon reach St. Paul Lutheran Church in Skokie, Illinois, which ministers to unhoused families, and Breakfast with Baby, a ministry that serves young families in need of support.
 
Each donated item will not only provide comfort but also instill hope, reminding these families of the boundless love, grace, and mercy of God. The Human Care team extends a profound thank you to the donor for their generosity and kindness, knowing that their contributions will make a lasting difference in the lives of those they touch.

Rev. Marty Marks of Immanuel Lutheran Church, DeKalb, Illinois, shared that because of your generous support, the Nelson family was able to purchase a much-needed vehicle. Thank you for being there for this family in need.

We are incredibly grateful to Naperville Running Company for their generous donation of 58 pairs of shoes, which will make a significant impact on foot care for homeless individuals.

Proper footwear is crucial for those with health issues like diabetes, providing protection from injuries and reducing the risk of infections.

These essential shoes will be distributed at the free foot clinic located at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois, ensuring that those in need receive the care and support they deserve.

Earlier this year, Sharon contacted LCC asking for assistance finding a set of bunk beds and kitchen stools that she needed for her apartment as she prepared to become a foster parent to teenagers aging out of foster care. Working through Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine, Illinois, and many gracious donors, LCC met Sharon's needs. 
 
This past week, Sharon received word that she has been approved as a foster parent and can expect a teen in the near future. Foster parenting is a very rewarding and fulfilling calling but it can be challenging and stressful. Being a single parent is always difficult. Being a single foster parent comes with some extra challenges. In faith, we know that our loving Lord always equips those He calls to do His work.
 
Please keep Sharon and other single parents in your prayers. Pray that God surrounds them with people who encourage and support them in their calling. Pray that He guides and strengthens them, filling each new day with hope. Listen to what God says about children Psalm 68:5, Deuteronomy 10:18, Deuteronomy 10:14, James 1:27. As you consider how God may be calling you and your Church to care for orphaned children, take heart. "He who calls "you is faithful; he will surely do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
 
Click here to read Sharon's full story.

Last week, church members at Immanuel Lutheran Church lovingly packaged 100 hygiene kits. The LCC Human Care team shared the hygiene kits with Tabor Lutheran Church in Chicago, which is providing housing for immigrant families and ministering to unhoused people in their community. We are grateful for these church partnerships! We are better together!