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.
NEW SERVICE: PEACE 4 ALL
M.O.R.E. Center welcomes Peace 4 All to our site. This organization is a mental health counseling and advocacy agency based in Crystal Lake, but is now coming to the M.O.R.E. Center on Wednesdays from 1:00-5:00 p.m. They specialize in family trauma and are committed to meet the needs of people like you who may be in personal, emotional, mental, or relational crisis. This may include working to heal domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as families and couples working through dysfunctional situations.
We are happy to provide the space for this much needed service in our community. You may call 815-455-2457 or check their web site at www.peace4allonline.org for further information.
FAY'S BAR-B-Q DINNER FUNDRAISER
The annual Fay’s Bar-B-Q Dinner Fundraiser is set for Friday, July 9. This event raises money to pay toward the debt owed on the building. Dinner is served from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at the Marengo High School cafeteria, 110 Franks Road. For $12, a dinner of pork chop, chicken and all the works is provided, including dessert. Tickets may be purchased from any Board member or call Sandy Butenschoen at 815-382-1815. A limited number of tickets may be purchased at the door. Take-out orders are provided.
BLACKSTONE GOLF FUNDRAISER
The annual Blackstone Golf Fundraiser is set for Tuesday, June 8. This event raises money to pay toward the debt owed on the building. A great time of golf begins at 12:00 p.m. sharp and foursomes are being formed now. Limited slots remain. The tickets are $100 per person. An electric cart with GPS to the hole, driving range and a bag lunch are included in the price. Call Sandy Butenschoen at 815-382-1815 for tickets and more information.
MOBILE MARKET COMING AGAIN IN JUNE
Plans are being made for the next Mobile Market on Thursday, June 24. This truck is approximately 8000 pounds of food (4 tons) in which all will be given away on that day. It will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the bus garage behind the Marengo Middle School. Residents living within the Marengo High School district are eligible. Proof of residency is required by means of a bill with the applicant’s address shown.
SCOUTING FOR FOOD A SUCCESS
Update: The M.O.R.E. Center was buzzing with activity on Saturday, March 6, with Cub and Boy Scouts scouring the community for food items to give to us. Thanks to Rodney Rote and Bill Brosch for their leadership and to all the parents
helping out with canvassing the neighborhoods and then sorting the food.
The scouts collected over 17000 items weighing more than 7300 pounds. This amounts to about 35% of our annual contributions of food. The scouts have been helping the needy with food drives each year for about 13 years and each year the enthusiasm is outstanding. Thanks scouts.
The plans are in the works for the annual “Scouting For Food” drive. Saturday, March 6, is the day set aside in Marengo and Union for residents to set out food at the curb for area scouts (and parents) to pick up. MORE recognizes this scout drive as our largest annual food drive by organizations and we are thankful for their help.
"LITTLE PORTION" GETS OVERHAUL
The M.O.R.E. Center takes pride in being more than a food pantry. When people need assistance, of course food is a priority, but housing, utilities, clothing and household items are also important to a family’s well being.
One of our services is called “Little Portion,” where we provide clothing and small household items. The program is headed by Deb Keane and a small army of volunteers. Because our multi-purpose room is being used more often and our storage space is limited, this program is making some changes. Our new approach is to accept items that will be helpful to a person or family in immediate need. We will accept “in season” items and clothing only. We will also accept household items necessary for a small apartment that are functional. Examples are dishes, utensils, pots and pans, small appliances, serving bowls, small clocks, radios, towels, sheets, blankets, etc. We cannot accept large furniture and appliances, knick knacks, etc.
In the past, we have accepted and passed on most garage sale leftovers. When items are simply dropped off, we are forced to find ways to dispose of them. Not only is this a huge problem to sort through, but it isn’t what we are about. We accept items during regular hours, from the list above, so left over garage sale items are generally not wanted. Can you help us to pass on the word about our new policy? Our volunteers need everyone’s cooperation.
A LOOK BACK AT 2009
During our annual meeting in January, our Board of Directors celebrated the past year of M.O.R.E. and we took a look back at the year 2009. The overall conclusion was that it was an “amazing” year of accomplishments, especially in the food pantry program.
The food pantry gained quite a large number of pieces of equipment, including a walk-in freezer, commercial shelving, commercial refrigerator, and computers for client processing and tracking. As you might guess, this required a large amount of funding, and that was acquired by generous donations and grants. Speaking of funding, the emergency financial assistance program also did well, with more than $15000 being expended to help with rent and utilities to keep families in their homes.
Donations of cash are often a barometer of the health of a charity, but in our case, food donations are just as important. We measure our food donations and purchases by weight. In 2009, we processed more than 155,000 pounds of food and related products. And this does not include the food that is distributed by the M.C.H.S. Health Occupations club at Thanksgiving and the Zion Lutheran Church Love Project at Christmas. Combined, both of those programs directly affect more than 150 families.
This is a breakdown of how we received our food in measurement of pounds.
By category:Churches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9046.5 lbs.
Schools . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1608.4 lbs.
Club or Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2315.4 lbs.
Businesses & Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15702.1 lbs.
Individuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10876.6 lbs.
Northern Illinois Food Bank Purchases . . . . . . . . . . .27010.0 lbs.
Northern Illinois Food Bank Commodities . . . . . . . . . 48667.7 lbs.
NIFB Mobile Market Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23531.0 lbs.Whether we receive money or direct donations of food, the bottom line is that our Marengo/Union community works mightily to help struggling families. So, our Board thanks you with all their hearts for that “amazing” year.
MOBILE MARKET TRUCK SCHEDULE SET
Our first Mobile Market Truck is coming to the Marengo Middle School bus building on Thursday, April 1, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. This truck provides about 8,000 pounds of food to anyone residing in the MCHS district and is in need. Proof of residency for first time visitors will be required, as well as completion of an application at the site. The next Mobile Market Truck is scheduled for June 24.