Lighthouse for Christ

Goal: $20,000.00

Specific Need

As The Lighthouse continues to grow to meet the needs of our community, our own financial needs increase as well. This year from January through June, we have been able to give over $23,000 in financial aid to those in need. We would be so grateful if you would consider blessing The Lighthouse with your donation.

Each month we help approximately 35 families with food from our pantry. July, August, and September are usually some of our most expensive months as the utility bills rise with the rising temperatures. We added a staff member with grant funds this year to run the food pantry and referral services; eventually, the grant funds for this position will run out; however, we are praying that we will continue to be able to support this position, as it has already been such a blessing to our ministry! Our pantry now has more nutritious offerings and extended hours on Thursdays for referrals to come in.

In recent years, increasing food insecurity regarding assistance from other sources and increasing grocery and utility costs across the board stretch the budgets of those working minimum wage jobs impossibly thin. Funds raised from Gather for Good have become a necessity in us making sure that there does not come a day when we have to turn someone in need away.

In addition to our ongoing costs, we have a special project we plan to do next year for our volunteers. A volunteer mural will be created with the names of every regular volunteer who has served our organization. Our volunteers are an integral part of The Lighthouse and have been since the very start. As we often remind ourselves, our ministry could not help nearly as many people as it does without volunteers who graciously give their time. This is a small "thank you" to them by memorializing their names in our building.

If you have been thinking about donating, remember that each donation has the potential of being matched during the Gather for Good fundraiser on September 19th from Noon to 8 PM at the Clay County Museum. 

The Lighthouse is able to continue assisting so many with the incredible support of churches, pastors, volunteers, and our community. Thank you! 

Mission

"Serving those in need in the name of Jesus Christ."

Profile

Lighthouse Board Members

• Angie Frigon, Chair
• Melissa Wisner, Vice Chair
• Carolyn Garwood (deacon)
• Jon Henderson (pastor)
• Jeremy Pera
• Abby Sprague
• Deanna Kamphaus, Treasurer

Staff

• Susan Melton, Director
• April Lyon, Resource Manager
• Greta Hadduck, Social Media & Grant Specialist

Hours

Mondays: Noon – 3 pm
Thursdays: Noon – 5 pm (donations accepted until 3 pm)
Final Saturday of the Month: 9 am to Noon (no referral services except by appointment)

Additional Information

The Lighthouse for Christ strives to serve the community by helping with:

• Food
• Household staples such as soap, toothpaste, diapers, and more
• Financial Assistance (primarily utility bills and rent)
• Affordable clothing and more for all

Please note all of our referrals are asked to follow our assistance guidelines. Each person must seek out a local church or authorized signer and fill out a Lighthouse application. All payments are made directly to approved billing entities. These guidelines are in place to create more connections that could help a person in a difficult phase get support and experience growth and also to ensure we are stewarding our resources well.

Here are a couple of examples of ways in which we were able to help this year:

• During the first week of heat indexes over 100 degrees, two people from two different households came in for assistance. Both had broken air conditioners in their homes. We usually have fans we are able to give people, but while they were in the referral waiting area, a man came by the donations door with two portable AC units to donate, which we were able to give to the two households in need.
• We provided 7 families and 1 individual with a season pool pass. These families and individual were frequent users of the pool but were not able to afford the season pass.

We have witnessed the faithfulness of God to our ministry in the past, and anticipate His provision in the future. We are grateful for the chance to brighten the day of those seeking our help and show them Christ’s love through our actions. We believe that those who come into The Lighthouse seeking help are seen and loved by God, and we are called to see and love them as He does. We love because He first loved us, and through His power we continue to be a beacon of hope to many within our community.

Please check out our Lighthouse for Christ Facebook page for current updates and noteworthy posts about our ministry!