News : Local Faith Partners In Action

Our local faith community came together to help those in need this month. So, what does "community" really mean?" The Oxford Dictionary lists one example - "a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals."

The middle school and high school Religious Education Classes of St Mary's Catholic Church, Vinton, had an idea to bless others this Christmas season. They decided to make gift bags for those who may be without a home or adequate clothing. The gift bags would include socks, gloves, mittens, hats, scarves, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrush, chapstick, hand warmers, etc.

The local Knights of Columbus, along with St Mary's Catholic Church, donated items for the bags. The Religious Education classes from St Mary's Catholic Church, specifically the middle and high school students, put them together. In all, 150 ziplock bags were assembled.

Some had a Christmas card in them. Others hand a prayer card. All were assembled with love and thoughtfulness !!

The distribution of these "bags of blessings" was given to the Benton County Salvation Army volunteers. They handed many of the bags out this last Saturday on their regular canteen run in Cedar Rapids. They served 147 individuals with a sack lunch, but were able to surprise the folks with a gift bag from Benton County people of Faith.

Many of the folks expressed their appreciation for the extra gift of items for their warmth and comfort, as well as the usual food. Every week we hear comments like- "Thank you for getting up so early to do this for us! Thank you for the socks! This really helps me. Thank you so much.You are a blessing to us!"

When we have a personal relationship with God, we desire to help others. Our possessions, our money, our time and physical energy and abilities, are not our own. Every good gift comes from God. We give them back to God in service to others.

Matt 25: 37- 40

37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

You can still give to The Salvation Army anytime of the year. Remember us in your year-end giving !!!

There are several ways to donate.

1. Mail check to: 1201 C Ave, Vinton, Iowa 52349

2. Here's a hyperlink https://donate.salarmywestern.org/give/451439/#!/donation/checkout.

(Use PayPal, Venmo, Credit Card, or Bank Transfer).

3. Use the QR Code attached to this article

Donations are secure and tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt by email.

Ninety percent of the funds raised in Benton County are used to assist local residents. In the case of wide-spread disasters, like a flood or derecho, or larger personal disasters, like a house or bale fire, the local team can access disaster funds from the corporate level.

---

Pictured: (back to front) Dave Gleason, Julie Hansen and Joe Wehage. Terie Wehage took the picture. All are volunteers with Benton County Salvation Army and handed out the bags of socks, mittens, gloves, hats, etc,, on their recent canteen run in Cedar Rapids.