Thousands Expected to Attend Saturday`s Celebration

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - September 11, 2014 - Convoy of Hope will stop in Sioux City, Iowa, on Saturday, September 13, at Sioux City Convention Center to provide a day of free food, goods and services. The community celebration is one of dozens Convoy of Hope will host in 2014 throughout the United States. In 2013, more than 118,000 guests attended the $50-million tour at stops around the country.

WHAT: A free Sioux City community event offering $1 million in free goods and services including more than 35,000 pounds of groceries, haircuts, dental check-ups, family portraits, health services, job and career services, a kids carnival and more.

While supplies last–all are welcome. No I.D. required.

WHY: Provides an opportunity for more than 1,000 local community volunteers to share hope and tangible help with thousands of their neighbors in a spirit of honor and dignity.

WHO: The community of Sioux City, including numerous local businesses, organizations, churches and Convoy of Hope. Convoy of Hope is also working with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and Plum Organics at the outreach. NBCF will provide education, support and early detection services to underserved women in the community. Plum Organics will distribute organic food specifically created for babies, toddlers and school-aged children.

WHEN: Saturday, September 13 - Gates open at 10 a.m. (rain or shine)

WHERE:
Sioux City Convention Center
801 4th St.
Sioux City, IA  51101

Learn more about the outreach by visiting www.convoyofhope.org/siouxcity or contact Heidi Leiber at 712-253-3008.

About Convoy of Hope

Convoy of Hope, a faith ­based organization founded in 1994, has a driving passion to feed the world. With a long history as an early responder in times of natural disasters, Convoy of Hope has been a Four Star Charity as recognized by Charity Navigator for 11 consecutive years. In the last 20 years, Convoy of Hope has served more than 65 million people. For more information please visit http://www.convoyofhope.org.

Rock Island, IL - The Foundation for TJX Companies, Inc., one of the leading off-price retailers of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide and owner of TJ Maxx and Marshalls, provided Christian Care with a $5,000 grant to support its rescue mission and domestic violence shelter.

"We are tremendously grateful for the support that the TJX Foundation has given Christian Care," said Elaine Winter, Christian Care's Chief Executive Officer. "This funding will help us provide shelter and food for so many individuals in the Quad Cities. Last year, for example, we sheltered nearly 230 men, women and children and provided nearly 60,000 meals. With the changing seasons, we expect that the need for food and shelter in our community will be even greater, so this funding is arriving at a good time."

Christian Care is transforming the lives of homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illness. Its two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men?provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, counseling, self-development programs, referrals and guidance to those in need. Its services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the goal of nourishing the bodies, minds, hearts and souls of the men, women and children who come seeking a new way of life. If you know someone in need, call the Christian Care crisis hotline any hour of the day or night at (309) 788-2273.

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Greetings to friends and family of Churches United. Our board of directors just completed a strategic planning process setting goals and objectives through 2017. We are very excited about the outcomes of this process and will be sharing those with all of you in the near future.

As summer slowly comes to a close, I wanted to share with you some information as it relates to our hunger ministries. Churches United operates 25 food pantries with the devotion, passion and commitment of over 400 volunteers. Our three meal sites provide hot meals prepared by over 92 faith groups. All of you, with your support, truly are making an impact into the lives of many and for that we thank you.

One group of folks who are utilizing our pantries more frequently are those that are caring for their grandchildren. In a recent survey conducted by Churches United, we found that nearly 33% of those needing to use a food pantry are individuals caring for their grandchildren in some way. Also, due to the increase of families utilizing other resources to meet their food needs, our numbers of also increased.

Our Summer appeal this year is specifically for hunger. We have the opportunity to receive $10,000 from 2 foundations in the area. $5,000 for Scott County and $5,000 for Rock Island County providing we can raise $5,000 as well from donors on each side of the river.

Due to the increase of our populations beings served we are providing a different way of giving and supporting our hunger ministries for our summer appeal Think about a special adult, teacher, pastor - someone who was your mentor or your "grandparent" so to speak that made an impact in your life. You have the opportunity to honor them with a donation to Churches United's hunger ministry. In return we will send that individual or their family member a certificate that they can put up on their refrigerator like so many grandparents do, in appreciation for their influence in your life.

Thanks again for all community support. We strive to provide our services with dignity, respect and faith. If you choose to participate in this summer appeal which runs through September 30th you will find enclosed a return envelope. If you choose to participate in honoring a "grandparent" simply complete the form below and place with your donation in the envelope or email Churches United with the appropriate information to: rjohnson@cuqca.org.

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Name__________________________________________________

Grandparent or significant adult____________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________________________

City________________________________State_______________________________

Rock Island, IL - The Quad City Parrot Head Club has provided Christian Care with a $4,100 grant from its June annual golf outing. Funds will help provide direct therapy to children?our silent victims?during their stay at Christian Care.

"Children who arrive with their mothers at our domestic violence shelter have been traumatized by what they have seen and experienced," said Dr. Elaine Winter, Christian Care's chief executive officer. "This grant through the Quad City Parrot Head Club will allow Christian Care to continue to provide the services that help our children begin to heal and overcome the childhood scars that come with physical, emotional, and mental abuse, and help them feel safe and secure again. Our warmest thanks go out to all the golfers and volunteers who made this generous gift possible."

T.J. Griffiths, one of the event's co-chairs, along with Sue Wesselmann, was also thrilled with the club's generosity. "Even though we were a little late getting our annual golf outing organized this year, we still pulled off an amazing day at Saukie Golf Course," said Griffiths.

Christian Care is transforming the lives of homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illness. Its two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men?provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, counseling, referrals and guidance to those in need. Its services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the goal of nourishing the bodies, minds, hearts and souls of the men, women and children who come seeking a new way of life. If you know someone in need, call the Christian Care crisis hotline any hour of the day or night at (309) 788-2273.

The Quad City Parrot Head Club was sanctioned in Dec. 2003, and is one of 239 member clubs in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The Parrot Heal Club is a collection of people of all ages and backgrounds who embrace the music of Jimmy Buffett and the lifestyle he writes about so others may benefit. Club members also believe in leaving things just a little better than they found them, while holding fast to their motto, "partying with a purpose."