SUNNEEVANGELICAL

LUTHERANCHURCH

2015ANNUAL REPORT

PASTOR: PAUL SCHAUEROffice Phone: 734-6485Cell Phone: 391-0584

Home Phone: 734-6605e-mail: sunnerev@bektel.com

www.sunnelutheran.org

SUNNE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL

SHELLEY PORTER………………….734-8146……………………….…….……2016

KARI CUTTING……………………...734-6630…………….………….….....…...2016

ADAM KLABUNDE……………….… 934-1328………………………………….2017 CHERYL WOODCOCK.......................258-1209.....................................................2017

JUNE NEUMILLER………………….734-6369……………….………………….2018

JEFF OLSON……………………….….426-6308 ………………………...….……2018

KAREN RYBERG…………………….258-7343………………………………….2018

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SUNNE LUTHERAN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 2015

TOTAL BAPTIZED....................................................................................................528

TOTAL CONFIRMED...............................................................................................401

AVERAGE WEEKLY ATTENDANCE...................................................................117

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2016 ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA

l. Call to order2. Devotions3. 2015 Annual Meeting minutes/2015 Budget and Election Meeting minutes4. Treasurer’s Report5. Audit Committee Report6. Old Business:7. New Business:

Election of Endowment Committee8. Adjournment9. Closing prayer and hymn

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OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE REPORT

After a ten year hiatus, this committee still feels that it has absolutely no reason to exist. Therefore, no meetings were held, no officers were elected, and, best of all, no money was requested or spent. The committee would like to thank the congregation for all the support they have received, although sometimes we wonder if people really even know that we don’t actually exist.

Submitted by Helga Hoghart, Chair

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2015 Annual Meeting minutesJanuary 25, 2015

A quorum being present the meeting was called to order by Council President Shelley Porter.

Pastor Paul Schauer offered a prayer.It was moved, seconded and carried to approve the 2014 Annual Meeting minutes.It was moved, seconded and carried to approve the 2014 Budget and Election Meeting minutes.

SuAnn Olson presented the 2014 Treasurer’s report. It was moved, seconded and carried to approve the 2014 Treasurer’s report.

The Audit Committee Report was presented. All financial records are in order. It was moved, seconded, and carried to approve the Audit Committee Report.

No Old Business

New Business: Election of Endowment Committee. Bernard Falkenstein and Kari Cutting were reelected to the Endowment Committee.

Meeting adjourned.

Pastor Paul closed with prayer and the congregation sang a hymn.

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2015 Budget and Election Meeting minutesDecember 6, 2015

A quorum being present the meeting was called to order by president Shelley Porter.

June Neumiller & Jeff Olson were reelected to serve three year terms. Karen Ryberg and Lester Vollan were nominated for a two year term. Ballots were cast with Karen Ryberg being elected.

The 2016 budget was presented by SuAnn Olson.Health Insurance decreased by $6,000.000. The other line items stay about the same.Thank You to SuAnn. MSC to approve the budget as presented.

Capital Campaign:There were 67 pledge responses. With a total of $89,615.00 pledged so far.

The Church Steps are paid for.

MSC to adjourn.Respectfully submitted, Jeanine Helm, Acting Secretary*****************************************************************************

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2015 OFFICIAL CHURCH ACTS

BAPTISMS NAME DATE PARENTSBlake Orville Speten 2 -1-15 Troy and Emily SpetenKeeley Kaye Blum 3 -8-15 Brandon and Heather BlumTayvin James Power 4 -5-15 DJ and Dawn PowerHenry Kenneth Deckert 6-14-15 Tonya Deckert & Kenny Franklund, Jr.Lincoln John Murrey 9-13-15 Travis Murrey & Ashley ThompsonHayden Lane Holznagel 9-13-15 Christopher Holznagel & Lindsey Olson Benjamin Ray Olson 10 -4-15 Matthew and Sherlyn OlsonFynlee Raye Gregoryk 10-11-15 Jason Gregoryk and Kristin MeidingerMagdalena Jean Rasmussen 10-11-15 Shiloe Rasmussen & Reuben BurnleyBerkley Maxine Wessels 10-25-15 Joshua and Shelby WesselsJulianna Grace Hruby 10-25-15 Jesse and Kimberly HrubyGertrude Anastacia Riehl 11-29-15 Michael and Angela RiehlGunnar Michael John Riehl 11-29-15 Michael and Angela RiehlRyker Lowell Keller 12- 6-15 Brent and Rachel KellerReese Marie Novak 12-27-15 Jerame and Lindsey Strand

FIRST COMMUNIONCole Vesey

Logan VeseyJohnathan Noon

CONFIRMATIONKarissa Albaugh

Caitlin BergTrevor HowardMadelyn Hurt

Tatelyn SchurhamerErin ThompsonBrook Tooke

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WEDDINGSGregory Axt and Rebecca Roethler June 6, 2015

FUNERALS NAME DATE PLACE OF BURIALRichard Steffenson 1-3-15 Sanger CemeteryCheryl Boechler 9-30-15 Riverview CemeteryMarlys Olson 11-23-15 Baldwin CemeteryLeonard Olson 11-15-15 Baldwin CemeteryConnie Schlafman 12-26-15 Petersville Cemetery, Pettibone, ND

MEMORIALSRick SteffensonShirley Bauer

Leonard and Marlys Olson

AFFIRMATION OF FAITHJosh, Shelby, and Braxton Wessels 12-30-2015

TRANSFERS OUT

NAME Date TOKorry Hansen 1-25-15 Pekin Lutheran Church, Pekin, NDRobyn Devault 3-31-15 Zion Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND

REMOVED FROM ROLLSFred and Debbie Schauer 9-29-2015Eva Braun 11 -4-2015Bill and Katie Pulley 11-18-2015

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2016 Altar Guild

8:30 A.M. 10:30 A.M.JANUARY Bernadine Martin Cori OdegardFEBRUARY Jeannie Kraft June NeumillerMARCH Bernadine Martin Help needed APRIL Jeannie Kraft Jeanine Helm MAY Sue Szczur Cori Odegard

10:00 A.M.

JUNE Cheryl Sawicki JULY Pastor Paul AUGUST Pastor Paul

8:30 A.M. 10:30 A.M.SEPTEMBER Bernadine Martin June NeumillerOCTOBER Sue Szczur Help needed NOVEMBER Jeannie Kraft Jeanine Helm DECEMBER Sue Szczur Cori Odegard

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2016 Ministry Teams

WORSHIP TEAMShelley PorterEmma BergSue Szczur

EDUCATION TEAMAnne EarsleyJennifer VeseyDenise Leapaldt-JohnsonTucker Johnson

CHURCH PROPERTY TEAMMike BergBernard Falkenstein

7HARVEST FESTIVAL TEAMLester and Sylvia VollanMike and Emma BergDwane and Roberta Noon

CEMETERY COMMITTEELarry and Betty FalkensteinDavid and Tammie FalkensteinBob and Kristine EllWayne BackmanOrville SpetenBeverly Hausauer

2015 Pastor’s Report

I watched a great horned owl glide across the backyard the other day. Later that night a great horned owl went gliding across the back of the church parking lot as I walked out the church doors. Owls are majestic birds, gliding along and hooting away. Apparently it is the time of the year that the owls start to appear. It is also that time of the year when we reflect on 2015 and look forward to 2016. It never ceases to amaze me how God works through Sunne and how we continue to respond to God’s call. Let’s start with obvious ways God works through Sunne as the body of Christ (not to mention the countless ways God works through us as individuals). We continue to worship God through Word and Sacrament. We gather together each Sunday, and other occasions, to hear God’s word proclaimed, to share in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, to receive God’s forgiveness, to welcome people into God’s family (fifteen baptisms); and to share in fellowship. Our average worship attendance in 2015 was up slightly over 2014. We continue to encourage and invite people to make worship the top priority in our faith life. We continue to provide Christian education opportunities for all age groups. Sunday School, Confirmation, and Bible Study are great ways to learn about God. We have great students and volunteer teachers and helpers. As always, we look at Christian Education as an ongoing learning experience for all people of faith – regardless of a person’s age. We also look at Christian Education as a teaching experience for all people. We are not only learning about God, but by our lives we are teaching about God. We have had a tremendous response to the Sunne Capital Campaign with over $97,000 being committed/given as I write this. As of December 31, 2015 our building loan was down to $119,557.We are well on our way to having the loan paid off in time for our 125th anniversary in 2018. As sometimes happens during a capital campaign, our general fund offerings, while slightly ahead of 2014, did not allow us to contribute our full commitment to synodical benevolence. We ended 2015 in the black, but just short of our goal. We continue to reach out beyond our doors, sharing God’s love around the world: 580! School kits for Lutheran World Relief; over 100 baby care kits; over 100 health care kits; dozens and dozens of quilts (local and global); thousands of dollars for the Camp of the Cross building fund; thousands and thousands of pounds of food distributed through the Wilton Food Pantry; a couple of dozen pigs purchased through the Bringing Home the Bacon ELCA World Hunger drive; Join Hands Day and ditch cleaning; hosting a rest stop for CANDISC; and many, many more ways. On a personal level, I want to thank all of you for responding to God’s call in a multitude of ways this year. You and I have been doing God’s work together for 23 years now. I look forward to many more years.

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PARSONAGE REPORT

A number of projects were completed at the parsonage this year. Towards the end of June a great group of volunteers completed a shingling project on the detached garage. The old shingles were removed and new shingles put in place. The detached garage was also painted. The trim on the parsonage was painted. The washer and dryer in the parsonage were replaced. In 2016 we will be looking at painting the parsonage.

CHURCH PROPERTY REPORT The main project at the church this year was replacing the front steps. A big thank you to all who donated to this project. There are a few cosmetic touch ups that need to be completed in the spring, but otherwise the project is done.

BUILDING LOAN REPORT We are in the midst of our capital campaign to pay off the building loan and have had a tremendous response. As this report is written, we have received $97,525 in gifts and commitments. As of the end of 2015, our loan balance was $119,557. Back in January of 2007, the congregation took out a $300,000 line of credit at the First State Bank of Wilton to pay for the construction project at the church. This is a 20 year loan at a locked in 6.75% interest rate. In 2007, this was a pretty good deal, especially since the church, realistically, has little in collateral (with the exception of the parsonage). In order to get the terms that we were looking for, the Bank borrowed money from the Federal Home Loan Bank. The Federal Home Loan comes with certain parameters, one of which is that the bank (and thus, Sunne) pays a penalty if more that 10% is paid on the principal in any given year. As interest rates rise, the penalty percentage decreases. Recently, the Bank has indicated a willingness to work with us on the penalty, in light of our intent to pay off the loan by 2018.

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Sunne Lutheran Youth Report Sunne Lutheran Youth is the part of Sunne’s ministry that includes youth in grades 7-12. SLY exists to help youth strengthen and grow in their faith. The group includes about 40 youth, most of whom are members of Sunne, although some are not. Everyone is welcome. SLY held several activities during the year. In February we took part in the national “Souper Bowl” event where we raised money for the Wilton Food Pantry. This was the 20th year that we have done this. Thank you for your great response. We also went bowling in February. Pastor Paul had the high score.

In April we served the annual Easter Breakfast and said “good-bye” to the seniors on Senior Recognition Sunday. Thank you to WELCA for organizing that event. On the first Sunday in May we participated in the annual Join Hands Day and helped clean up the Wilton area. In June the Confirmation class went to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park to spend time camping and hiking. We had great weather and managed to experience buffalo, climbing Battleship Butte, swimming in the Little Missouri, and hiking. In September we held a scavenger hunt, which turned into a game day at Pastor Paul’s. In October we tried to have a hayride, but 50 mph winds kept us inside at the Sorch farm…which then turned into a game day, too! Our main activity was attending the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Detroit, July 15-19. We heard great speakers, worshiped with 34,000 other Lutheran youth, explored Detroit, helped clean up part of Detroit in the blazing heat, learned about the ELCA, and stood in long, long lines for food. For many of us flying to Detroit meant we experienced our first plane ride. We thank you for all your support in our fundraising efforts: bake sales, picnic, pancake feed, stock sales, chili feed, etc. For funding reasons, we took a year off from sponsoring a child at the Navajo Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ. We want to thank everyone for their support.

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Sunne Lutheran Youth2015 Year End Report

1/1/2015 Beginning Balance $201.27

2015 Deposits Easter Breakfast $506.00Camping $70.00Bis. Funeral Home $175.00

Hall Clean Up $150.00Total Deposits $901.00

2015 ExpensesSLY Activities (bowling) $86.25Camping $205.99Survival Kit $23.32Total Expenses $315.56

12/31/2015 Ending Balance $786.71

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Sunne Gathering Fund Financial Report

Checking AccountBeginning Balance (1/1/15) $2962.02Income

Bake Sale $ 398.00Bake Sale 2 575.00Cash Return 230.00Chili Feed 361.00Detroit Registration 1600.00Donations 150.00Lenten Soup offerings 252.00Navajo Mission Sponsorship 150.00Pancake/Sausage Feed 604.00Picnic 170.66Receptions 500.00Seattle Downpayments 100.00Stock Sales 2505.00Sunne Budget item 1500.00

Total $ 9,095.66

ExpensesAirplane 4890.80Bus 300.00Cash 1000.00Hotel 2401.92Lent Supper supplies 21.67Offering 500.00Registration 1950.00Stock Expenses 66.00

Total $11,130.39

Ending Balance $ 927.29

Savings AccountBeginning Balance (1/1/15) 147.51

Interest .44Ending Balance (12/31/15) 147.95

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SUNNE WOMEN of ELCA

2015 has been an eventful year with numerous activities and goals accomplished by women of Sunne—WELCA.Activities involved were:

Attending cluster meetings in Napoleon and Steele as well as the Synodical Convention—Western N.D. Women of the ELCA in Mandan.

Participated in the “Diapering Detroit” project. Purchased stock certificates from youth who planned to attend the Youth Gathering convention

in Detroit. Donated to Camp of the Cross campers and layettes. Hosted the Senior Recognition Dinner and MidSummer Picnic. Donated toward a new washer and dryer for the parsonage. Served soup before Lenten and Advent Services. Helped prepare and serve funeral luncheons and a baptismal reception. Hosted CANDISC rest stop and served breakfast to approximately 130 bikers. Planned an Advent program. Chairs were purchased for quilters to use. The quilting ladies were busy making quilts. Each senior received one and in addition 106 were

made and given for Lutheran World Relief. 580 school kits and 176 baby care kits were assembled and distributed.

We meet the second Sunday morning of each month at 9:30 for Bible study given from the “Gather Magazine.” General meetings and potlucks, in addition to Bible study, are in January, April, July, and October. We do not meet in August and December. All are invited to attend Bible study. This is a wonderful opportunity for learning and spiritual growth.

Postage stamps are collected. The proceeds after collectors buy them are used to ship quilts and kits. Please leave a l/4 inch border cut around the stamps.

All your help in making WELCA grow and thrive, with God’s grace, is very much appreciated.

THANK YOU.

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WELCA Mission Action and Mission Community

Mission Action and Mission Community are the “hands on” part of WELCA and, as usual, those hands were not idle in 2015. Probably the first thing that comes to mind with WELCA action projects are quilts and projects done to send to Lutheran World Relief. The entire congregation gets involved with the LWR projects and those numbers are pretty impressive. LWR operates two collection drives each year, generally in May and again in October. Between the two shipments, Sunne contributed 106 quilts, 580 school kits, 176 baby care kits and 320 personal care kits. The last Sunday in December has become an annual tradition for assembling personal care kits as we have another 135 personal care kits (formerly “health kits”) packaged, boxed and ready for shipment when collection day arrives in May 2016.

Several boxes of quilts were donated to local charities in the Bismarck-Mandan area. These include such agencies as the Abused Adult Resource Center, Manchester House and many others. In addition, every graduating senior was presented a special quilt on Senior Recognition Sunday. Sponsoring this event is also another WELCA project. Every baptism candidate was also presented with a special blanket and Sunne helped celebrate the baptisms of quite a few younger members in 2015.

WELCA members assisted in hosting one of the rest stops for the annual CANDISC bicycle tour this past August. Over 140 cyclists stopped in at Sunne to take a brief respite before continuing on that day’s portion of a nearly 400 mile “Cycling Around North Dakota In Sakakawea Country” road trip.

The WELCA Funeral Committee served the fellowship meals for three funerals this past year. While a much smaller number than in previous years, it was not without its challenges. Especially since two of those funerals took place right before Thanksgiving.

On the second Wednesday of the month, Pastor Paul and several WELCA members participate in a devotional service at Redwood Village.

Whether you realize it or not, every woman who is a member of Sunne is also a member of Women of the ELCA and these activities often include other family members. You are invited to become an active participant, whether it’s participating in the monthly bible studies or devotions at Redwood Village or becoming one of those members making quilts, serving lunch or assembling LWR kits.

Sandy Peterson, WELCA Mission Community and Mission Action

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Beginning Balance 1-1-2015 $3,584.39

INCOME

Offerings $ 156.80Funerals $1,660.00Lenten/Advent services $ 158.00Baptism lunch $ 120.00Donations $ 50.00Mid-Summer Picnic $ 80.50CANDISC $ 712.38

$3,437.68

Quilters $ 930.00

$4367.68 $7,952.07

EXPENSES

Funerals $ 855.77Baptism $ 23.84SLY-Stock Certificates $ 100.00Senior Sunday $ 213.02Parsonage washer/dryer $ 200.00Camp of Cross scholarships $ 525.00Layettes $ 50.00School kit backpacks $ 901.45Western Whirlwind $ 65.00Mid-Summer (cash box) $ 70.00Wilton Park Board $ 50.00CANDISC (cash box) $ 25.00CANDISC—(food) $ 255.27WELCA (Yth Gth diapers) $ 100.00WELCA cluster offering $ 70.00WELCA convention $ 105.00WELCA quarterly dues $ 420.00

$4,029.35

Quilters $ 607.40

$4,636.75 $3,315.32

Ending Balance 12-31-2015 $3,315.32

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EDUCATION REPORT 2015The children of Sunne are busy learning about the best SUPERHERO ever– JESUS!!! We kicked off our year with a superhero obstacle course, crafts and games. We have over 40 children participating in our Sunday School program this year. How exciting! We spend two weeks on each bible lesson, learning through cooking and art projects. We seem to learn best by doing…and eating! At Christmas, the children told the traditional Christmas Story with special music by some of our talented young musicians. Thank you to all of our parents & students who donate their time and talents to our Sunday School program.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Camp Discovery was the 2015 Vacation Bible School theme. On average, approximately 30 children attended each evening. Our offering, both monetary and in kind, was given to Camp of the Cross. The last evening of Bible School involved a family picnic and bonfire. The Bible School program was also held on Friday evening and was set up in a family-friendly style where everyone sat in a circle and shared what they had learned throughout the week. The highlight of Bible School was probably when the kids got a chance to throw whipped cream pies in Pastor Paul’s face. Thank you, Pastor Paul, for being such a good sport! And, thank you to all of the volunteers who helped in many and various ways throughout the week of Bible School!

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SUNNE CEMETERY REPORT 2015Beginning Balance 1-1-2015 $1263.87

4-21-15 Dep from CD $2045.00 5-27-15 Betty Altenberg donation 100.00 9 -3-15 designated church offerings 380.0012-30-15 designated church offerings 300.0012-30-15 Marty & Janet Anderson donation 30.00

TOTAL $3245.00

The cemetery was mowed eight times for a total of $1700.00.On Dec 21, 2015 a check was sent to Dale Hurt for $250.00 as a bonus for a job well done.

Balance as of 12-31-2015 $2548.87

The cemetery has two CDs in the bank. The balances are $18,235.01 and $8,000.Thank you to all who have donated and helped in anyway this past year.

Betty Falkenstein,Cemetery Treasurer

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2015 Sunne Treasurer’s Report

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2016 GENERAL FUND BUDGET 2015 2016

MINISTRY Pastor’s Salary $49,000 $52,000

Office Salary 5,000 5,000 Payroll taxes 385 660

54,385 57,660EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Pension & Health 27,240 25,350Housing Equity 2,100 2,100

29,340 27,450 ADMINISTRATION

Car Allowance 3,500 3,500Book Allowance 200 200Continuing Education 800 800

Workforce Safety 250 ___3504,750 4,850

PLANTParsonage Utilities 5,200 6,000Church Utilities 11,500 10,000Parsonage Property 3,000 3,000Church Property 4,500 4,500Insurance 6,000 6,000Janitor 3,600 3,600

33,800 33,100

BENEVOLENCESynod 7,200 7,200Special Appeals/Designated Gifts 200 200Camp of the Cross (operating costs) 2,500 2,500The Lutheran 600 600Camp Scholarships 1,500 1,500Chaperones for SLY 1,500 1,500

13,500 13,500 RELIGIOUS TRAINING

Supply Pastor 750 750Delegate and Meeting Expense 500 500

1,250 1,250 MINISTRY TEAMS

Evangelism 500 500Worship 1,800 1,800Stewardship 750 750Education 1,700 1,700

4,750 4,750 OTHER

Office 2,500 2,500 Advertising 500 600 Special Events 100 100

3,100 3,200

DEBT RETIREMENT 40,000 40,000

TOTAL $184,875 $185,760

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Camp of the Cross MinistriesPO Box 1257

Garrison, ND 58540 (701) 337-2246

www.campofthecross.com

Camp of the Cross Ministries Annual Report to its Constituent Congregations

Camp of the Cross Ministries would not be the place and ministry it is without you and your generous support through prayer, campers, retreaters and financial support! Thank you!

The year 2015 in review...Another successful Summer Camping season..

Registration and participation was good again this summer with more than 577 campers registered. This is 39 more campers than last year's participants. We had a wonderful summer. The children and youth had a blast! Thank you again to another great summer staff!Construction began on the Fellowship Center in July… The building is enclosed and weatherproofed for the winter. We have raised more than $2 million in gifts and pledges towards the building project. We rejoice in this milestone!Due to higher than expected construction costs, the constituency voted and raised the Capital Campaign amount to $3.6 million dollars. As we move forward in attaining our goal, we ask that you prayerfully consider continuing your generosity and commitment to our efforts. The end result promises to be an amazing addition to Camp of the Cross and all those who pass through our doors.The budget year is coming to a close… Many thanks to donors, organizations and congregations for your financial support. Because of your generosity we will end again in the black.Our program ministry continues to grow- especially in adult ministries! In order to enhance our growing adult ministry, Ingrid Floersheim will be joining our team in January as CCM's Program Manager for Adult Ministries. Tynan Nelson will continue with children, youth and young adults. Please keep the ministry of CCM in your prayers!

Thank you again for another great year!

Peace,

Rev. Janis Sloka, IIIExecutive Director

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Addendum to 2015 Annual Report

Wilton Food Pantry 2015 Annual Report

The first week of January Pastor Paul and Bev asked about the progress of this document for Sunne’s Annual Report. At the time, I had just completed all of the statistics for records that needed to be submitted to the Great Plains Food Bank. We are what is considered a “partner agency” and, as such, are required to keep documentation on such things as the number of households we serve, age and other demographics, pounds of food distributed, number of volunteers and volunteer hours, etc.

Pastor Paul told me I could make this real short and sweet by stating we distributed lots of food and helped lots of people… This is certainly the case. We are now just starting our 3rd year of operating the food pantry. It seems hard to believe that it was in December 2013 that we unloaded the first truck delivery from GPFB and the driver looked at Pastor Paul and me and asked, “This is your first delivery, isn’t it?” We didn’t know what we were doing and “played it safe” by ordering things in lots of 10. We learned rather quickly that this works well for some items, but not for others—especially with items that need to be kept frozen. We are still learning the ropes of running a food pantry and, while we continue to “fine tune” and “tweak” our procedures and processes, we are well on our way to having a system that seems to be working well when it

comes to ordering, packing boxes and distributing the food. With that said, here are some numbers that are quite compelling…

Every month we pack a minimum of 24 sets of food boxes. Generally, we end up packing more and have done as many as 35 or more in a given month. We have assisted more than 50 families with food, with nearly 100 individuals in those households that we serve. While we have our “regulars,” there are a number of clients that we see only occasionally. We have those that would take every advantage we could offer and those that “pay it forward” when they have the opportunity. It has definitely been an exercise in discipleship and ministry. We have, quite literally, distributed “tons of food.” The amounts vary depending on what we have available, but each month we distribute approximately 40 - 60lbs of non-perishable food items, 10 - 20lbs of refrigerated/frozen items, and another 10 – 20lbs of paper goods, personal care products and/or produce to each household. That means, theoretically, we are distributing about 2400lbs of food each month, but realistically, it can be closer to 3000lbs. Multiplied by 12 puts that at approximately 36,000lbs, or 18 tons, of food distributed by the Wilton Food Pantry in 2015. We have several “core items” that go into the boxes. Things like peanut butter (more than 320 jars in 2015) pasta products (over 1000lbs in 2015) and cereal (nearly 1500 bags and boxes in 2015). Another thing that is truly amazing is the partnership we have with GPFB.

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Approximately 85 - 90% of what we distribute is “purchased” through the Great Plains Food Bank for no more than a small handling fee. Without this partnership it would be impossible for us to operate the food pantry at its present level from a financial standpoint or relying solely on food donations. More than 400lbs of produce was donated from local gardens, including Sunne’s own Hunger Free Garden project. At Thanksgiving we assembled 36 “turkey boxes.” These boxes included a turkey and trimmings to make a complete holiday meal. Most of these groceries were purchased through Thrivent members using action team grants.

We have settled into a core group of a dozen or so individuals who regularly help with the food pantry. The employees from the Union Bank help unload the truck when it arrives and also participate in packing the boxes on food distribution day. Altogether, there have been at least 30 individual volunteers and approximately 1000 volunteer hours donated to the Wilton Food Pantry in calendar year 2015.

The food pantry is open for distribution on the third Thursday of the month for anyone in the Wilton-Regan-Wing area who has need of this service. We generally start packing the boxes at about 1:00 p.m. in order to have them ready in time for distribution between 4 and 6 p.m. Food deliveries from GPFB tend to vary, depending on the ordering and delivery schedule and how many agencies placed orders for that month. Volunteers are always welcome. Food donations can be dropped off at the Wilton Senior Center between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and Noon, Monday thru Friday. Cash donations are always appreciated. Please make checks payable to Sunne and indicate “Food Pantry” on the memo line or offering envelope.

Thank you to everyone who has helped make the Wilton Food Pantry an important part of Sunne’s ministry and to the communities it serves.

Sandy Peterson, Wilton Food Pantry Coordinator

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