OUR NEIGHBOR’S PLACE
Our Neighbor’s Place is located at the corner of South Main and Johnson Street. We welcome people who need a hand during a difficult time. There is a washer and dryer for folks to do laundry. There is a shower available for folks who need it. We have a small food pantry for emergency food needs. At this time, Panera Bread donates day-old bakery products on Tuesdays to Our Neighbor’s Place. Volunteers helps pack up breads and baked goods to guests during the week
The volunteers help people find resources to meet their needs. We occasionally have gas cards and food cards, depending on what has been donated. Our Neighbor’s Place operates mostly on volunteer help and donations. A beautician in town provides free haircuts once a week. Salvation Army has an office at the Our Neighbor’s Place building.
There is staff on hand who know how to navigate through the maze of government paperwork needed for different types of assistance.
The Backpack program works out of Our Neighbor’s Place.
Part of Our Neighbor’s Place is a clothing area called “The Closet” , where donated good quality adult clothing in all sizes is provided at a very low cost for sale, or free for those who need it. There is a special need for men’s clothing, as the gentlemen at the halfway house are regular customers. Even the volunteers at Our Neighbor’s Place purchase clothing there!
Our Neighbor’s Place has several fund-raising efforts, and charitable events during the year There is a Casino night and a 5K run. There is an event called “Community Connect” where the helping efforts in the area come together to provide info about their services. At that event there is also a free “garage sale”, free haircuts, and a free meal for those who want or need it. There is a garage sale, with games and a free meal once or twice a year.
Our Neighbor’s Place has a 4-plex where eligible families can live at an affordable rent to get their lives back together. There are lessons in financial management, cooking, and whatever other needs might occur.
It is a great place to volunteer. You can put in as many or as few hours as you have available. We care about the guests who frequent Our Neighbor’s Place. There is no judgement, only kindness and help. Since we receive no government funding, we can say “God bless you”. The guests and their problems are all confidential. And we care.
Options for Women Volunteer Options: Here are three specific ways that members of Luther Memorial can volunteer with / support Options for Women:
- We are always looking for volunteers to help us at our pregnancy resource clinic. The biggest need is for volunteer Client Advocates. If a member of your congregation has it on her heart to volunteer even just half a day per week to support the women and families we serve and to help keep the ministry running, we would love to have her be part of our little ministry family!
- Finally, we just recently began our “Adopt a Client Need” program. If any members of your congregation would like to be added to our group of supporters who are notified of specific client needs (examples: formula, cribs, certain baby shoes, etc.) and would like to help potentially meet that need, they can simply email us! optionsforwomenrf@outlook.com
ARC (Assistance & Resource Center) Request for Telephone Volunteers
The Saved to Serve Life Group has received a request from ARC (Assistance & Resource Center) for telephone volunteers. ARC was started in 2009 at the request of area churches which were being overwhelmed with requests for assistance. ARC provides short-term financial assistance to members of the Ellsworth and River Falls communities to help meet their basic needs and to provide access to additional resources. Examples of the assistance provided are: rent payments to stop eviction, utility payment help to prevent disconnects, gas cards, auto repair, food, child care assistance, work boots, and uniforms.
ARC takes phone calls from 10 AM to Noon on Mondays-Fridays. Telephone volunteers are trained and can volunteer as much or as little as fits their schedules. Volunteers sign up only for shifts that fit their schedule and these shifts can vary from week to week, month to month, and season to season. ARC also has a need for additional board members.
If you are interested in volunteering for the phone or the board you can contact Bob Johnson (715-441-1558, rbjmd@hotmail.com) or you can call 715-338-0755 or email ArcofRiverFalls@hotmail.com and leave a message for Ronna. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve in our community. Thank you! Bob Johnson, Luther Memorial Church, Saved to Serve