Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation Grants Awarded in 2020

Written by Phil Larsen, CtK Foundation Secretary & CtK Member
 
In 2020, the Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation received grant requests totaling $106,845. Sixteen proposals were funded that totaled $69,451. A brief summary of each of the awarded grant proposals follows:
 
First Half 2020
Ralph Reeder Food Shelf Assistance, submitted by Dale Erickson/Local Mission Partners, $5000
Supports Ralph Reeder Food Shelf in addressing the urgent need for food assistance in the community.
 
Exodus Lending, submitted by Sara Nelson-Pallmeyer, $3000
Exodus Lending will use funding from the Foundation to improve its innovative, interest-free, predatory debt, refinancing program. Its mission is to provide trapped Minnesotan borrowers a just pathway out of payday loan debt and toward financial stability. 
 
Arusha Lutheran Medical Center, submitted by Marlys Melius, $5000.
The Arusha Lutheran Medical Center (ALMC), a primary hospital in northern Tanzania, provides healing and hope in the heart of Arusha and surrounding areas. The ALMC School of Nursing (SON) is providing nursing education for 100 students spread through three class levels. This grant will provide assistance to purchase furnishings for student housing facilities.
 
Prayer Shawl Ministry, submitted by Judy Benke, $500.
The Prayer Shawl Committee will have an enlarged coat rack/tree or a large wall rack constructed to display Prayer Shawls they have made and to make them more immediately available to congregation members, who will deliver them to people in need of comfort.  
 
CtK Sanctuary Sound System Update, submitted by Caleb Anderson, $5178
A new digital mixing console and related equipment will be purchased that will provide a higher quality of live sound for worship and prepare us to meet the needs of the future, while retaining the flexibility and ease of use that our sanctuary provides.
 
Connected Worship: Streaming Capability for CtK, submitted by Pastor John Schwehn, $6462.
Purchase of hardware, cameras and related hardware will provide enhanced communication capability to reach audiences external to CtK’s immediate facilities.
 
Fleece Blankets for Children at Camp Noah, submitted by Vern Rice and Ana Becerra, $2200.
Cristo Rey supports Camp Noah, a nationally acclaimed Lutheran Social Services program that helps children process their disaster or trauma experiences through creative activities and play. The intention of this project is to provide fleece material that can be cut and assembled into blankets by Cristo Rey members to provide comfort and hope for traumatized children.
 
Community Support Center, submitted by Karen Meyer, $5000.
The Community Support Center works to prevent homelessness through financial aid and counseling of individuals to prevent evictions.
                                                                                                                                  Financial Support for 1st 2020                               $32,340
 
Second Half 2020
Matching Funds for CtK COVID Relief Fund, submitted by Pastor Peter Hanson, $4000.
Funds will be used to match donations to a COVID Relief Fund at Christ the King that will be used to support CtK Congregation members who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic.
 
Huruma Center Well Project, submitted by Marlys Melius and Pastor Chris Smith, $7414.
The grant from the Christ the King Foundation would be allocated toward the purchase and installation of Solar and Grid Energy Systems in conjunction with a community water well project in Tanzania. These systems will power a submersible pump, which will direct water to the existing and new tower storage tanks. The grant from the Foundation will help complete the project.
 
Black Men Teach, submitted by Paul Gunderson, $5000.
The focus of this grant request, is to support recruitment and encouragement of young Black men to consider teaching as a career. Most Black men have never had a Black male teacher so they do not see themselves in that role and often their experience in the public education system is less than positive; nor are teachers or family members encouraging them to consider teaching. Black Men Teach is an organization that has an aggressive strategy to change this narrative including programs in high schools, with community-based organizations, and on college campuses, each employing Black male community leaders engaging our youth in this important conversation.  
 
CtK Computer Upgrade, submitted by Pastor Peter Hanson and KC Gubrud, $5,697.
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the timeline for replacement of computers in the church office and has significantly altered the specific requirements for a larger number of staff computers. The strong likelihood of staff members needing to continue to work from home for the next several months, plus the increased technical requirements of their ministry has thrust these needs to the forefront. This project seeks to replace three (3) computers this year, ahead of what would be their customary place in the office computer replacement rotation. 
 
Tree of Life Evening Prayer, submitted by Marissa Sotos, $2500.
Tree of Life Lutheran is a worship community that wishes to establish an online evening prayer service for its congregation members in Minneapolis. This grant will help buy a subscription to Adobe InDesign to work with the layout of the program and art associated with this unique worship approach.
 
Technology Essentials Core Initiative/ Daily Work, submitted by Julie Hoff and Dale Erickson, $2,500.
This grant will support the launch of a Technology Essentials Initiative with Daily Work participants that will provide a portion of job seekers with a laptop computer, modem, 3 months of internet service, and ongoing training in the use of a computer.
 
Community Partners with Youth, submitted by Mary Stewart, $5000.
This grant provides support for the Distance Learning Support Center associated with Community Partners with Youth [CPY].  CPY provides a safe space and low-cost programming after school and during the summer for at-risk, low-income youth in the New Brighton-Mounds View area. Recognizing the emerging needs amid the pandemic and new school norms, CPY has launched the Distance Learning Support Center (DLSC). The Center provides free supervised distance learning support, youth development, and programming to ensure youth don’t fall behind in their academics.
 
Ralph Reeder Food Shelf, submitted by Lisa Baker, $5000.
This grant supports Ralph Reeder Food Shelf in addressing the continuing urgent need for access to food by members of our Community.
                             
Financial Support for 2nd half 2020                        $37,111
                                            
Total Financial Support for 2020                             $69,451