Emmanuel Community Church believes in serving our community.  We have opportunities for those who come here to serve others through our partnerships and friendships with local ministries.

 

The Community Banquet is a free meal offered at St. James church in Menomonee Falls at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month by a collaboration of community churches.

 

In 2009 approximately 2,730 people were served delicious, nutritional meals by 345 friendly volunteers at an average cost of $1.14 per meal in a warm & welcoming setting.  What more could anyone ask for in terms of a successful ministry?

 

Yet, beyond these obvious numerical outcomes, the intangible ones probably are more important and even more rewarding.  Neighbors chat, share joys and sorrows. Folks whose food budget doesn’t quite make it to the end of the month are welcomed.  ECUMC volunteers handle set-up and desserts, clean-up or cooking on a rotation about 8 times each year. 

 

Our church along with 11 other local churches voluntarily staff the Menomonee Falls Food Pantry which is currently located in the rear of the Hiawatha school building, just east of our church.  Our turn comes every 12th week with the next turn being the week of October 12 & 14, 2010.  The Pantry is open only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 12:30-2 pm and 5:30-7 pm.  Volunteers are asked to report 30 minutes before each shift and may need to stay longer to restock and clean.

 

The Food Pantry is open to residents of Menomonee Falls, Lannon, and part of Germanton.  Clients can come twice a month and receive food quantities based on the size of their families.  They must prove their residency, but are on the honor system as to financial status or need. 

 

Volunteers are responsible to check in clients and help them choose and bag their food.  Volunteers also check canned goods to be sure we don’t stock outdated items and then stock items on the shelves.  At least twice yearly volunteers are needed on a Saturday to date check and stock items collected in the Boy Scout (in March or April) and Postal (day before Mother’s Day) Food Drives.  We prefer not to have children as volunteers while the clients are at the Pantry for reasons of confidentiality.  Children who are old enough to help are welcome to sort and carry items on the Saturday Food Drive times. 

 

The Pantry accepts donations of canned goods, household paper goods, toiletries, etc. and money from local churches.  There are bins in our church’s Celebration Hall for donated items.  If anyone wishes to donate fresh produce from a garden, it can be brought to the Hiawatha building during the service hours.  Please do not leave perishable items in the Celebration Hall bins.  We also receive food donations from the local Pick n Saves, Sentry, Starbucks, Walmart, Panera, and Brownberry.  Once monthly there is a Saturday Hot Dog Lunch sale at Sentry to benefit the Food Pantry.  Funds donated to the Pantry are used to purchase fresh meat and cheese for the clients as well as basics that are not donated as much as needed such as dish and laundry soap, toilet paper, canned fruit, cereal. 

 

The Food Pantry is currently reorganizing itself as the Falls Area Community Services, Inc. and will soon break ground for a new building on Menomonee River Parkway just south of Riverside School and the Community Center.  We hope to move there in early 2011.  We will then have more room and may eventually expand our services to the clients to provide more than food. 

The board is looking for folks experienced in fund raising drives and publicity to help with the fund raising campaign for this new building. 

 

Volunteers help prepare, serve and clean up at the evening meal on the second Monday of each month.  There is a car pool that leaves from ECUMC parking lot at 3:00 p.m.   For more information contact Cindy Brown of Stillwater UMC (Cindy Brown:  ic_mom@yahoo.com )