Lemonade and Homeless Outreach
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Thank you EVERYONE who donated to Gloria’s cause.
Although we are far from our goal, we have some good news – Gloria’s original fundraising has served as a foundation on which we can build our new campaign.
That’s right! We are shutting down the “Lemonade and Homeless Outreach” site -- no more donations will be accepted -- and we are starting our new campaign: “45 for 45”
Why “45 for 45”? In 2020, Ft. Collins Mennonite Fellowship will be 45 years old. As part of our 45th Anniversary, we plan to raise $45,000 to pay off our church mortgage.
And why is that important?
Without monthly mortgage payments, we can free up $1,800 a month to help the most vulnerable in our community – homeless families and individuals.
- There are 1034 children in Poudre School District of Ft. Collins who are currently homeless with their families.
- There are 432 adults who have been homeless in Ft. Collins longer than 6 months (45% are seniors / 43% are disabled / 28% are women).
We cannot help all these individuals with the funds we free up, but we will be able to continue and expand our Homeless Outreach program at FCMF. With this program, we provide Saturday dinners, Sunday breakfasts, a place to rest, socialize, and worship. We also provide lockers and storage services so the homeless can protect their personal possessions.
At FCMF, no one is judged, all are accepted, and all are welcome.
Please visit our new “45 for 45” GoFundMe site: https://gofundme.com/45-for-45
Martha Roden
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IMPORTANT! For full, detailed updates, please click "UPDATES" to the right of "STORY."
SCROLL DOWN further on this page for the full story of how Gloria got started.
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LATEST UPDATE: May 17, 2019 (Colorado) – Gloria, Marie, and Benji are back after their 2,500 mile round trip visit to the Pacific northwest and back. Gloria will be resting up, debriefing, thinking about her trip ... and doing more writing! Stay tuned for more details.
QUICK UPDATE: May 9, 2019 (Oregon, Washington, Idaho) – While in Portland, Gloria met with Pastor Britt at Portland Mennonite Church. The church wants Gloria to talk about what FCMF is doing. Portland Mennonite currently does outreach to those living under West Burnside Bridge each Thursday. Youth, ages 17-25 years make up a large percentage of the homeless population. Gloria is saddened at how the “haves” ignore the “have nots.” In Seattle, Gloria visited a huge tent city with lots of families living in it and set up 4 stands. She and Marie are now in Idaho!
QUICK UPDATE: May 7, 2-19 (Oregon) - Gloria set up her lemonade stand in sunny Portland. She’s been having a few problems due to lack of WiFi access, which makes it tough for folks to make donations online. She was greatly saddened by the size of Portland’s homeless population (30,000+) and the epidemic of meth use. Young people are using meth because they are lost, forlorn, and cannot see a future. Their pain is so deep they just want to escape the cruel reality of their daily lives!
QUICK UPDATE: May 6, 2019 (Oregon) - On May 3, Gloria stayed overnight in Laramie, Wyoming with Stan and Myrna Miller. Then she headed out to Twin Falls Idaho. She walked 29 miles of that journey (4 miles at a time) before she set up a lemonade stand in a small park. She spoke with many about the need for outreach and assistance to those who are homeless. Then back on the road as she and Marie drove to Oregon where they stopped in the small town of Sweet Home, OR. Many individuals who spoke with Gloria were homeless themselves! Next she plans to stop in Portland to set up an all-day lemonade stand. Please continue to hold Gloria, Marie, and Benji in your prayers. F
QUICK UPDATE: Thursday, May 2, 2019 - Gloria is in Laramie, WY with her first lemonade stand. She walked 11 miles, despite very cold temperatures. And Little Benji, her doggie, walked the whole way!
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THE FULL STORY: HELP FCMF HELP THE HOMELESS
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During his Inauguration speech, president John F. Kennedy brought to light a few key points that have remained with me my entire life. He spoke about the journey of a thousand miles beginning with but one step. He reminded us all to "ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country."
Little did I know that some fifty-eight years later while entering into my 62nd year of life, these two points would become central for me.
In a short span of time, it appears everything in my little corner of the world has lost any sense of gravity and taken a bad turn south. What can I do but head north?
The Big "C"
Recently diagnosed with bilateral lung disease (cancer), I know I better make every second of the rest of life's journey count. That is why I am headed out on a thousand-mile trek to the Northwest, one step at a time.
I have chosen to do something FOR my fellow man, rather then look for them to do something for me. We are all living in perilous times where none of us is certain what tomorrow may hold. Many may find themselves joining the ranks of America’s latest epidemic, “Homelessness.” I myself have suffered this fate and have been forced to endure hunger, freezing both by day and night, and worst of all -- the scourge of society looking down its pointed nose at me.
A Port in the Storm and the Reason for my Trek
However, in every storm there is a port and I found mine in the city of Ft. Collins Colorado, within the walls of a tiny church known as Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship (FCMF).
These folks already do so much for so many. However, FCMF would do so much more if they had the funding to do so. And this is where my trip north comes into play. I want to shine a light on the “Epidemic of Homelessness” by raising money to help FCMF with their Homeless Outreach Program.
With some extra funding, FCMF can do its heartfelt work at lightning speed: advocating for and assisting the homeless in the Fort Collins community.
The Journey of 1,000 Miles Begins with One Step
My support team and I headed out on May 1, 2019 to make this possible ... with your help.
I am traversing 1,000 miles on foot with a support car following me to raise funds for the FCMF Homeless Outreach Project. How will I do this? By setting up lemonade stands along the way, selling lemonade and collecting donations for the FCMF Homeless Outreach Program. After all, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
Join the Cause
Want to be a part of something bigger than yourself? Please donate to this worthy cause.
Our goal is $50,000. This may sound like a lofty goal, but we know we will reach it, one donation at a time … and every dollar will make a difference!
Your contribution may be tax deductible and will help support the current FCMF Homeless Outreach Program. This means your donation will be used for many things:
- Upkeep of the FCMF building
- Utilities (they use lots of water and heat to provide showers for the homeless and a comfortable environment)
- Food for Saturday evening and Sunday morning meals
- Hygiene, toiletries, and basic clothing supplies for the homeless
- Purchase and installation of more lockers to safely store peoples’ belongings
- An emergency fund to assist the homeless with fuel costs, rent, medical needs
… and more. The list goes on and on.
Suffice it to say, your contribution will be put to good use!
Make your contribution online or at one of our lemonade stands along the way.
We need $50 per mile along with expense money to accomplish this goal. Please give what you can.
Partner with us and watch God go to work to fund the FCMF Homeless Outreach Program!
I will be sending updates as I travel so you'll know where I am and how I am doing.
Thank you and I’ll see you along the way.
-- Gloria Hallatt
