NEWS AND EVENTS
The M.O.R.E. Center is constantly busy with events and activities focused on the Marengo/Union community. We are proud to showcase past and upcoming events (see In the News page and below) and extend our invitation to you to attend a M.O.R.E. event.
BUILDING PAID OFF
Every once in a while we have reason to be happy and thankful. After residing in the M.O.R.E. Center building for four years, we have officially paid off our mortgage of $65,000. What an amazing happening! Keep in mind that we do not receive any government money and that we rely totally on community support. This was made possible through our fundraisers and generous donations. Now, our attention can strictly focus on serving our community. No longer will we worry over the building debt. Thank you to all of you that have made this building a true success.
HOLIDAY GIVING
It is already October and at the M.O.R.E. Center we are preparing for holiday food for Thanksgiving and Christmas. As in the past, we are able to purchase holiday food boxes from the Northern Illinois Food Bank. The boxes contain a 12-14 pound turkey, stuffing mix, instant potatoes, two canned vegetables, canned peaches, gravy mix, dessert mix and coffee. We are able to purchase these boxes for $15. Anyone having purchased food lately will recognize the value in these boxes. We will also supplement the boxes with additional food and dairy. This is an exciting and busy time of year for us. We have already placed our order knowing that the community in past years has made this possible. If you care to donate to holiday food boxes, you may make a check to MORE and mark it “Holiday Boxes”. You may send it to us at the M.O.R.E Center address or drop it off in your church. You will help to make someone’s holiday special.
ANNUAL POST OFFICE DRIVE
The Marengo and Union post offices joined together for the annual “Help Stamp Out Hunger” community food drive on May 14. Thanks to the hard work of our postal workers, they brought in more than 1400 pounds of food, paper and personal products despite a terribly rainy day. Now, that’s living up to their motto.
MARENGO COMMUNITY GARDEN
Residents of Marengo have a great opportunity this summer to participate in a new program that provides families with a garden plot. The M.O.R.E. Center has worked together with the sponsoring organization “Farmers Helping the Hungry” by being the meeting and sign up place. So far, about 40 plots have been assigned and seeds and plants have been provided. The facilitator, Nancy Vazzano, has spent long hours organizing with farmers, master gardeners, the city and us to make this all possible. The garden is open to any Marengo/Union resident and all those involved may keep their produce.
SCOUTING FOR FOOD A SUCCESS
March 5th brought a huge buzz to the M.O.R.E. Center with scouts of all ages descending on the community with its annual food drive. When it was over, more than 7,000 pounds of food and more than $1,700 was collected. The scouts also sorted the food into categories and packed it into a mountain of boxes.
Thanks go to Diane Phillips for heading up the drive and donating many hours of her time. From the youngestscout to the many parents involved, the M.O.R.E. Board of Directors wish to extend our thanks and appreciation for a job well done.
TAKING ACTION: APPLYING M.O.R.E.'S MISSION ON OUR NEIGHBORS
The M.O.R.E. mission statement reads in part, “. . . Our goal is to feed, clothe, find shelter, and/or offer other necessary assistance toward becoming confident, productive and independent neighbors in our community.” This is a tall order and probably can never be achieved.
When we take on new volunteers we remind them that confidentiality is imperative and not to judge people. What they see here may not be a true or complete picture. We cannot and do not turn anyone away based on the car they drive, skin color, native language, appearance, age, gender, stupid decisions or family quirks. We do not take political or moral stands. That is not our concern, even if we disapprove. Do we see some things that we don’t like? You bet, but we work hard not to judge. Despite what we may encounter, all people must eat food, wear clothes and pay bills. We try to help people out of tight spots with a helping hand, including advice to better their situations.
We have seen a significant increase in new clients over the past two months. Most of these individuals have never been in the situation of depending on a hand-out to put food on the table or to keep their apartment. Their pride is at stake, and yet they come in. We accept them all. Why? Because they are our neighbors and it’s the right thing to do.
Thank God for M.O.R.E.
SUMMER 2011 FUNDRAISERS
Blackstone Golf Fundraiser is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7, at noon. Tickets are $100/person and reservations may be made by calling Sandy Butenschoen, 815-382-1815.
Fay’s Bar-B-Q and Raffle Fundraiser will be Friday, July 8, from 5-7, at Marengo High School.
More details to come as the events approach. Proceeds for both fundraisers will go toward the M.O.R.E. Center's building debt.