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outreach
Meet our new Frannie: a volunteer at Hesed House for 17 years
Neighbor Project family In support of Hesed House/PADS
St. Mark’s financial contributions are making St. Mark’s continues to actively support the goal of
a big difference for families in Aurora! For the Hesed House to end homelessness. So far in 2020,
past two years, we have sponsored the Kaluke we had the most successful Food Drive in several
family, and they have now “graduated” from years; a Thrivent Action Grant (secured by the
The Neighbor Project program last May and are Berghs) helped with additional food purchases; the
proud homeowners. congregation raised $573 through “Souper Bowl
of Caring”; and a team of volunteers prepared and
St. Mark’s is now sponsoring a new family: served the first of six Saturday dinners to which we
Elizabeth and her three daughters. As a single are committed for the year.
mom, Elizabeth has been financially wise, saving
as much of her income as possible, avoiding The next dinner service at PADS is coming up
debt, and maintaining excellent credit. The only Saturday, March 14. Let Frannie’s story inspire you.
thing preventing her from being a homeowner Initially, she planned on volunteering to help with
is not being able to save enough for a down dinner only one time, But once she walked through
payment while having enough “cushion” to the doors of Hesed House, she felt called to do
have on hand for emergencies or needed home more, and she’s now been serving for over 17 years!
repairs. She applied for The Neighbor Project’s One of her favorite things to do is to cook for Hesed
“Network Savings” program and quickly qualified, House guests, and people love her meals. Sign up at
given her strong financial habits. She’s now the Welcome Center to join the dinner crew and be
halfway through her program and looking to a part of changing lives.
purchase a home in the late fall of 2020.
Elizabeth’s example and steadfast planning are
already impacting the next generation of her
family. Her daughters are invested in the process
as well, often accompanying her to meetings and
actively saving their birthday money in their own
savings accounts.
Elizabeth continues to embody the values of
The Neighbor Project through her simple acts Help stock Food Pantry shelves
of “being a good neighbor.” She has forged
friendships with the family in the adjoining March 23, 3:00 p.m.
apartment (also a program family) and, despite On the fourth Monday of every month, volunteers
their different cultural backgrounds, language, from St. Mark’s head over to the Aurora Interfaith
and traditions, these two families support each Food Pantry to stock shelves for the next day’s
other, carpool to events, and even share meals. distribution. It only takes an hour or so; if you’d like
How exciting it will be to see Elizabeth and her to help out in March, contact Linda Pfeiffer (lrp2525@
family achieve their goal of home ownership. gmail.com).
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