Hands of Hope

The big day had finally arrived!

Cone you believe we'd been waiting over 100 days for this!?

Take more than one trip during set-up?
Why, that would be absurd!

Bouncy house before...

...during...

After!

This basket full of produce turns into...

...these beautiful centerpieces!

One Horn of Hope included in every Metro CareRing truck!

"Welcome to Avenues of Hope: 9.10.11!"

Smiles in the sun!

Kathy found this on her daily calendar for 9.10.11!

Weigh to go, folks!

How To Quickly Sort Food by Metro CareRing

Ready to lift it all into the truck!

The beginning of hope.

Rocking out with Erica Brown and Friends!

Sweet sounds of hope!

Bag after bag of rice and beans were broken down during 9.10.11.

Hands of Hope!

Break it down to build up hope!

Thumbs up for Hunger Relief!

Food prep fun!

Service with a smile!

Pastor Ron and Lynne Butler, Executive Director of Metro CareRing.
Ashton Altieri, 9 NEWS Meteorologist, was our Emcee!

Pr Ron and Sue Ann Glusenkamp

Now, THAT's a lot of hope!

Delia and "Lovin' Spoonful"

Ashton and the Miller boys, Hunger Relief Champs!

The hearts and souls of Metro CareRing!

Food and donation totals still being
tallied - stay tuned for actual numbers!

Thanks to everyone for their support
throughout this Hunger Relief Campaign!

Day 100: Ever Walk With Me Lord

From Pastor Ron Glusenkamp: 1oo days ago we started off with a “call to action". Ever since June 1st, we’ve been on this journey toward Avenues of Hope: 9.10.11. I am mindful of the ubiquitous question coming from the back seat at the beginning of each journey, “Are we there yet?” Well, the answer is “yes" and "no". "Yes", we are here at 9.10.11,which means that we have reached our goal. And “No” we are not there yet because people are still hungry and have food insecurity.

But, today we pause to celebrate and give thanks for all the people like you who have answered the “call to action.” Your gifts, your prayers, your sense of hope is making a real difference for the working poor, for the hungry children, for a senior citizen whose money and food doesn’t last throughout the month.

I am so very grateful for your participation in the journey. I thank God each and every day for Metro CareRing. I pray for all of the clients, volunteers and staff members.

We began this trek mindful of some beautiful words by Peter Mayer,

“Ever walk with me Lord


Each night and day a rejoicing


With kindness the harmony, justice the beat


You’ve turned my footsteps to dancing


Oh, ever walk with me Lord."

Today is a day for dancing. If you are able, join us at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 East Hampden Ave, Cherry Hills Village, CO from 11am - 2pm. If you are one of our many out of town supporters and participants, I invite you to do the “holy two step” in honor of Avenues of Hope: 9.10.11.

Blessings,

Pastor Ron Glusenkamp

Our 100-day journey began with an invitation:
an invitation to discover new Avenues when dealing with the issues of hunger,
and an invitation to commit to walking and providing a path of Hope.

We connected to pathways that helped our
neighbors in need (Saturdays) and learned about the
essential nutrients that drove our mission to end hunger (Fridays).

Not all days were full of sunshine and color. Hunger can be as
visually painful as the pains of starvation themselves.
We trekked toward understanding the adverse effects of hunger (Tuesdays)
and visualized the challenging road that many must walk (Wednesdays).

We thoughtfully focused on the course of
hope ahead through prayer (Thursdays) and traveled
alongside music that motivated (Mondays).
Finally, we turned to Scripture, as the Bible guided us
toward the Way, the truth and the life (Sundays).

From Brenda Greenwald: Now, I'm not usually one to heed such warnings as displayed in the photo above: "Stay on Path". (Nothing drives me to scramble OFF the path faster than a sign telling me to do just the opposite!) Yet, if Avenues of Hope has taught me anything, it has been the re-affirmation that the path we travel to help others in need is at the root of it all. Helping others is essential. Life-giving. Emotional.

I've been blessed and have grown in my own personal journey of what it means to be a Disciple of Jesus - the Holy Spirit has clearly been at work throughout the 100 days of blogging, research and conversations. I have a deep respect and admiration for the dear souls who commit themselves to the mission of Metro CareRing - those who have answered the call to "Stay on the Path" - those who invite and encourage others on the journey! And YOU, the Hunger Relief Community: the inspiration YOU have brought to this path was continually grounding for me. That so many people would reach out to help feed the lost, the lonely, the last was humbling. It was an honor to walk alongside you! In the end, Hunger Relief WILL be one path I do indeed stay on - one I'll nurture through prayer, through praise and through HOPE! Thanks be to God!

Day 100. Dollar 100. Pound 100. It was in a spirit of hope that we joined together as fellow travelers on the journey: educating our community about the realities of hunger, advocating for sustainable methods of hunger relief, and inspiring others to take up this cause and walk alongside us.

Our sincere thanks and may God continue to walk with you!

Day 99: Virtual and Vegetable

Can you believe it? 9.10.11 is

right around the corner!

Saturday, September 10
11:00 am - 2:00pm

Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Ave
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113

Ashton Altieri, 9NEWS Meteorologist, will be the Master of Ceremonies.

Local Blues Band Erica Brown and Friends will infuse the crowd with the best Blues in Colorado from 11:30-12pm while guests enjoy a BBQ lunch – suggested donation of $10 or 10 pounds of food. A brief intermission (12-12:30pm) will include speakers & recognition of participation, then it’s back to the Blues until 1pm.

Children’s Area with an inflatable jumping house, colorful balloons, and artistic face painting!

Bid on "Lovin' Spoonful", a metal angel crafted by Delia Stewart with all proceeds going to Metro CareRing!

Load up your vehicle with your food donations and bring them to
church parking lot, where we'll weigh them and add them to the
big truck that will make its way over to Metro CareRing!


Donation Envelopes will be collected at the Welcome Tent.
A kiosk will be available for on-site donations via Credit Card.

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With hunger on the rise in Denver, Metro CareRing's food pantry requires nearly two tons of food each day to meet the demand. Now, food drives can be conducted at the click of a mouse and donations made in seconds.

Visit fooddrive.MetroCareRing.org to donate exactly what you want without a trip to the store. While shopping on Metro CareRing's Virtual Food Drive webpage, you are not actually purchasing food items. Rather, each food item represents a donation amount. These donation amounts have been based on current wholesale prices.

You shop online, placing items in your cart, and then check-out with Giving First, an online giving resource that allows 100% of your donation to go towards Metro CareRing! There are no credit card processing fees. This opportunity is made possible by Community First Foundation, a Denver-based community foundation. Contact Ryan at r.galanaugh@metrocarering.org with questions.

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Metro Market Opening Soon! Metro CareRing will open a full client choice shopping center in October. Families/individuals visiting MCR will shop the Metro Market to choose their food. We're very excited about the opportunity to provide more dignity and respect to our clients! Metro CareRing staff and volunteers are touring the Arvada Community Food Bank on Monday, Sept. 12 and Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 10am. Please contact Ellie to attend: ellie@metrocarering.org.

Day 99. Dollar 99. Pound 99. Be it virtual or vegetable, Metro CareRing is dedicated to their mission of meeting basic human needs, promoting self-sufficiency and advocating for social change. We thank you all for walking alongside MCR on these Avenues of Hope - let's celebrate our journey together tomorrow!

Day 98: Mind the GAP

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Romans 12:2

G...good.GOOD.good...G
A...acceptable.ACCEPTABLE.acceptable...A
P...perfect.PERFECT.perfect...P

Mind the GAP: I marvel at how we've transformed our different faith communities into places of grace: food breakdowns and collections took what food was healthy and good for the people in need, church members declared it simply un-acceptable that people go hungry, and the perfect combination of passion and drive came together to follow the will of God to feed His people. An Avenue of Hope is transformative.

Mind the GAP: I give thanks that the perfect storm of commitment and care finds itself each and every day within the walls of Metro CareRing - thoughtful minds and good hearts reach out to the souls in need, not allowing the conforms of this world to limit their creativity and passion to end hunger in our community. Going well beyond what could be merely acceptable help, with the love of Christ in their hearts, they strive for that perfect synthesis of support and sustainability. An Avenue of Hope is inspirational.

Mind the GAP: Finally, upon hearing whisper of the Spirit or the shout of God's call, we are committed to discerning the will of God well past what will be 100-day mark on Saturday. We pray that our hearts will continue to be filled with the mission of good-will. We pray that our service, in whatever form we are able to continue, will be acceptable and welcomed in the eyes of God. And we pray that we are continually renewed in body, mind, and soul to discern that which is perfect to God and helpful to our brothers and sisters in need. An Avenue of Hope is love.

Day 98. Dollar 98. Pound 98.

Day 97: Lovin' Spoonful

We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life.

Stir up in your people the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.

Day 97. Dollar 97. Pound 97.

Bethany member Delia Stewart crafted this beautiful metal angel, "Lovin' Spoonful", to be a part of a silent auction on Saturday, 9.10.11. All proceeds for this 22.5 by 8.5 inch angel will be donated to Metro CareRing, so be sure to scoop her on up this Saturday during our Avenues of Hope celebration! For every $1 that is raised, Metro CareRing can turn that into $4 worth of resources - a generous spoonful of love, indeed!