OUTREACH
BENEVOLENCE
In keeping with the By-Laws of the Foundation, its members are committed to serving the Lord through financial outreach to like-minded 501(c)(3) organizations in the community.
If you would like to submit a 501(c)(3) organization for consideration, please have them complete an applicationand mail it to…
Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel Foundation
9031 Penn Ave. So.
Bloomington, MN 55431
The originals will be forwarded to the Finance Committee for review. The review will include an evaluation by the Minnesota Charitable Review Council. Organizations registered with the Charitable Review Council are preferred but it is not required.
The Finance Committee meets four times each year to make the disbursement recommendations to the Board of Directors. Historically each gift has not exceeded $500. The Foundation is projected to disburse in excess of $18,000 each year (10% of our plate offerings).
CARING HEARTS
The Caring Hearts group is made up of Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel Foundation (FSMCF)members who are willing to reach out to those members who are unable to leave their living areas due to illness or handicap. As part of their outreach effort, the Caring Hearts send greeting cards, make phone calls and oftentimes make visits to our cherished homebound members.
If you are a FSMCF member and would like to join the Caring Hearts in their outreach efforts, please contact the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel Foundation office at (952) 888-1525 or send us an email to info@fortsnellingmcf.org .
CHRISTIAN LITERATURE COLLECTION
During the Fall of every year, the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel Foundation conducts their Christian Literature Collection Sunday. We collect non-denominational Christian literature from our congregation that is delivered to the International Christian Literature Distributors, Inc. (ICLD) in Mpls who, in turn, read, sort, package and ship these Bible based materials to primarilyThird World countries.
People around the world are hungry for Christian literature, but in many nations, it is either not available or too costly for people to purchase. ICLD meets this need by shipping over 1,600 pounds of material per week to over 50-countries. Acceptable materials are: Bibles, Decision magazines, Daily Bread, Upper Room, Bible study books, and non-denominational hymnals. U.S. Postal regulations require materials to be free of advertising.
A collection point is set up at the front entrance to the Chapel. In addition to the literature, the FSMCF includes a donation from our Benevolence funds for shipping expenses.
MINNESOTA FOODSHARE
Jesus said, “I was hungry, and you gave me food …” (Matthew 25:35)
Minnesota FoodShare engages thousands of Minnesotans annually via the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, food insecurity education and awareness efforts, and state and federal advocacy efforts supporting programs that address poverty and food insecurity.
Every year in the month of March the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel participates in the March Campaign Drive by asking our members to bring foot items to the Chapel. We set up a curbside drop-off area for folks to place their donations. At the end of our worship service, the items are collected and taken to the MN FoodShare location in Minneapolis.
In addition to donating food, we also encourage our members to donate cash that can be used to purchase various food items.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Operation Christmas Childis a part of the Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical Christian International relief organization headed by Franklin Graham. Since 1993 more than 100-million boys and girls in over 130-countries have experienced God’s love through the power of simple shoebox gifts.
Eachduring October and November we have an opportunity for cheerful giving when we collect and deliver stacks of lovingly-filled shoeboxes to be sent to needy children around the world through Operation Christmas Child.
The Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel Foundation purchases shoeboxes from Samaritan’s Purse that are then given to our congregation to fill with toys, books, toiletries, etc. for three different age brackets. In addition to the shoeboxes, members of the congregation can also make cash donations that go toward the filling of boxes by members of our Operation Christmas Child team. Along with the filled shoeboxes, we also send a benevolence check to cover the cost of shipping.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY /CRAFTY LADIES
A number of years ago a few members of our Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel Foundation congregation began the Knit One, Pray Too Prayer Shawl Ministry. Individuals would create prayer shawls and lap robes that would be given to individuals to share with friends and/or family members who were going through difficult times due to death of a loved one, illness, etc.
Overtime, it was decided that this group would conduct monthly get togethers where they could get together regularly to create prayer shawls or lap robes for those in need. We had some members who did not knit or crochet but wanted to share in the fellowship time with other members of the FSMCF. So, the group expanded to include anyone who wanted to attend the monthly meetings. Thus, the Crafty Ladies. In addition to enjoying the fellowship time, the Crafty Ladies also assist with Chapel projects and use their talents to create various craft items to be sold at our Craft & Bakes sales. Proceeds from the Craft & Bake sales go toward the postage to send supplies to our deployed troops.
All are welcome. Meeting dates/times can be found in the weekly bulletin, the Snelling Spirit calendars or in the weekly Chapel Chatter electronic newsletter. Please call the office at (952) 888-1525 if you have any questions.