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."

Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. is starting its 25th year of service to the Quad Cities with a New Orleans style Jazz Brunch at Crow Valley Golf Club on Sunday, September 28, 2014, from 11am to 2pm. Sarah Marie Young, a Chicago vocalist, will once again be the featured entertainer with her smooth, easy listening, jazz stylings. To learn more about this fabulous singer with a unique voice, check out her website at www.sarahmarieyoung.

In addition to the fabulous food and wonderful music this event will also include the following silent auction items:

• Enjoy a uniquely private lunch for 6 - 7 with Sister Joan Lescinski, CSJ, President of St. Ambrose University, served at the Rogalski Center.

• Private, after hours tour for 10 at the Mississippi River Distilling Co. and your choice of appetizers provided by Steventon's. Celebrate by sampling spirits made with locally grown ingredients while touring the facilities.

• A cooking class and dinner for 8 - 10 guests with James Steffen, Executive Chef, Crow Valley Golf Club.

• Two Packers' tickets with private plane transportation.

Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. (HMHI) has provided supportive housing for 780 single parents and their 1543 children during these past 24 years. These families were homeless at the time they entered the program. HMHI provides single parents with the tools and support to complete degrees, find jobs and move into their own homes. Children learn there is a different way to live; some have become the first in their family to complete high school and go on to college. The need is great, with nearly 400 applications a year; however, HMHI has space and staff to provide services to only 47 of these families at any one time.

Please join us in our celebration and support this valuable community asset.

For more information, please contact our office at 563-326-1330.

PORT BYRON, IL - PORT BYRON, IL - The Nick Teddy Foundation is pleased to announce Exelon Generation, of Cordova, IL, as a sponsor of the 2014 "Nick Teddy 5K." The event will take place on Sept. 13, 2014, beginning at 9:00 AM.! !

The "Nick Teddy 5k" is held in memory of 29-year old Port Byron native Nick Strub, who fought a courageous battle against Ewing's sarcoma for more than 5-years. The NT5k is a family-focus event, and offers a fun day for hundreds of participants and their families. Last year's event raised $25,000 to fund research through the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative, and to help defray travel and lodging expenses during treatment for a local Ewing's patient and her family.!

Exelon has been a sponsor of the Nick Teddy 5k since the Nick Teddy Foundation's first event in 2012.