Things at We Care have never looked brighter. While everything has been busy, crazy, even scary at times, we have never seen so much love, good-will and generosity then we have during these last two months. It has been such an honor to do this work with all those who support us, our programs and ministries and our community.
We had a family call us to make a donation - they weren't having a big family Christmas this year because of COVID, so they wanted to donate to us in leu of their normal festivities. We had another family donate because they have been blessed this year when so many are hurting. Another man donated in memory of his father and mother, now passed. Businesses, hard hit by the state-mandated closures, are rising to the need by providing meals, gifts and opportunities for the community to give by providing free food, products, or a discount. The stories of generosity keep coming in, and we are so humbled by the support, even to the point of happy and grateful tears.
At the same time, we had a dad call in asking for a meal basket - the first time he has ever had to ask for help. We had another family call us, hard hit by Covid and job loss, with nowhere else to turn for assistance. An elderly widow called to get help with bills she never had to handle before while reeling from the recent loss of her son; a veteran heating with small electric heaters needed a propane tank installed and a holiday meal; and a single mom working three jobs, needing that small boost at Christmas to make the Holiday just a little bit brighter.
We Care IS Community - Thank you for your unwavering support! Because of you, we are able to provide for the overwhelming amount of needs we see coming through our office. We look out at the vast sea of needs, having no idea how they will be filled. Yet God knows each one and is not surprised. He meets every need through your love and compassion. Thank you for doing His work right here in our community! "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement continue to give you the same attitude of mind toward your neighbor"*.
May you be blessed as you have blessed us this holiday season. Love from all of us at We Care,
Erika Morrison
Executive Director, We Care
*Rom. 15:5
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Would you like the opportunity to make a difference this holiday season? You can provide a meal basket to a family in need during the holidays. Check our website for items needed and for ways you can give a special meal. E-mail Lynn@wecare-inc.org to sign up to receive or donate.
www.wecare-inc.org/holiday-programs
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
Milton Berle, Comedian
Dear We Care Friends,
The last five months have been a crazy ride. As an essential service, with over 12 pantries and programs still being utilized during the COVID-19 crisis, we have been busy. We are getting over 1000 requests for help each month, and have been able to meet every single one. This was no small feat and it was because of the support we have received from you - our community.
We Care is working hard to "build doors" - that is, finding new ways to provide for the needs of our neighbors during this stressful time for so many in our community. The USDA is subsidizing products from participating retailers, to go to food pantries. We have been consistently receiving 144 boxes of dairy products through Prairie Farms Dairy and 60-75 boxes of meats through Gordon Food services each week, distributed through our pantries. That is a lot of families served! This takes many volunteers, time and space to be able to host these distributions. We would like to thank Senior Services, Moore Pharmacy, Country House Furniture, Pennzoil, First Congregational Church and Sacred Heart Catholic Church for helping make this a successful opportunity to help our neighbors in need. (Pictured above, top center and bottom left)
We have also been busy writing grants to help supplement the donations we have received. We had several grants from the Southwest Michigan Cares program, thanks in part to the South Haven Community Foundation and United Way of Southwest Michigan. We also received a grant from AT&T for our Covert Food Pantry at Lily of the Valley Church; grants and donations from the Rotary Club of South Haven; Meijer for our food pantries; and more. We appreciate their support and the funds received are directly applied to helping those in our community who are struggling.
Our Medical Equipment loan program has been wonderfully facilitated by Casco United Methodist Church. We have appreciated them and the coordinators over the last decade - Carl and Joyce Andrews and Larry and Kathy Yankee - that made this program so successful. The We Care office will be assuming the coordinating aspect and welcome your donations and requests for equipment. (Pictured above, bottom right)
We started a new fiscal year on July 1st. All donations are tax-deductible and all funds go to help our neighbors in need. Ready to make an impact on your community? Go to www.wecare-inc.org/donate to make a donation!
We also have a brand-new website! Take a minute to learn all about We Care and see the new pictures and exciting things. Visit www.wecare-inc.org to learn more about who we are, what we do, our ministries and programs, and location.
If you need anything or know someone who does, please give us a call. We are here to help and we want to bring you encouragement and hope.
All our love and support,
Erika Morrison
Executive Director, We Care INC
269-637-4342
erika@wecare-inc.org
COVID-19 RESPONSE
Updated on June 12, 2020
We are so excited to open our office beginning June 15th (June 16th for Bangor). Due to the COVID-19 crisis, our offices have been closed for over 2 months and we've been working hard to assist all needs over the phone and directly through our pantries.
Although this triage-approach has worked, it has been far from ideal. Two of We Care's Core Values are hospitality and volunteerism. We've been able to enact both due to the shut-down of our state.
Now, we are able to reopen safely to volunteers, staff and donors. We will still be available to everyone by phone - 269-637-4342 (South Haven) or 269-427-9581. And hopefully, we will be able to reopen to everyone on Monday, July 6th! We can't wait to see everyone again! (Please see guidelines below as they will be in place for all those coming to our offices.)
Thank you for your patience and support during this time!
Love and blessings to each of you,
Erika Morrison
Director, We Care INC
Updated on May 13, 2020
Dear Friends of We Care INC, In order to remain a safe place for all of our community, we want to share with your what we are doing to promote good health in our area. In response to the COVID-19, influenza, strep throat and other communicable diseases, We Care In the Name Christ has implemented the following:
· Within the We Care offices -
o All surfaces, doorknobs and pulls, phones, keyboards, office equipment, etc. will be wiped down frequently throughout the day.
o Hand sanitizer will be mandatory upon entry and exit.
o Gloves will be made available to everyone coming into the office.
o We will be utilizing closed containers for beverages.
o Masks must be worn at all times.
o All staff and volunteers must remain six feet away from each other at all times.
· We are following the State of Michigan protocols and recommend that our community follow them as well:
o Hand washing is mandatory after every interaction.
o No handshakes.
o Stay home when you are sick.
· We Care is open to phone calls only. Our office is closed to walk-ins. You can contact us at 269-637-4342 in South Haven, 269-427-9581in Bangor.
· We encourage our PANTRIES AND MINISTRIES to do the following:
o Have curbside pick-up only; no indoor service.
o Use face-masks and gloves.
o Load all groceries and products into plastic bags and carry to the car so that the family does not have to get out, and place in the trunk of the car.
· We urge our VOLUNTEERS to:
o Stay home if you feel uncomfortable coming into the office or pantries/ministries.
o If you have any signs of upper respiratory issues, please stay home.
· For our CHURCH and COMMUNITY PARTNERS, the State of Michigan recommends cancelling all indoor gatherings. Consider utilizing YouTube or other online platforms for your services or events indefinitely.
We Care remains committed to providing a safe place for our community and those in need. Therefore, we want to be the place of encouragement during this time of uncertainty. As Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” We are here for you; please let us know if we can help in any way. From all of us at We Care,
Erika Morrison
Director, We Care INC 06321 Blue Star Hwy. | South Haven, MI | 49090 269-637-4342x101 (office) | 269-351-2803 (cell) | 269-427-9581 - Bangor Office www.wecare-inc.orG.
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