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Second Annual Chili Cook-Off
National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week: November 13 - 17 2011
Please join Ruth Meiers Hospitality House in creating awareness of the hunger and homelessness experienced by members of our community, with a fun night od chili tasting judged by local celebrities, a live auction and a kid's corner!
When: Thursday, November 17, 2011 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: New Song Church (3200 N 11th St, Bismarck)
There is a suggested donation of $5.00 per person or $15.00 per family.
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Please join us in thanking these wonderful people and businesses for their time and hard work with these recent events to help the hungry and homeless:
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Bismarck Keller Williams Realty Staff Helps the Homeless
We are so grateful to the Keller William Realty team who volunteered here at Ruth Meiers Hospitality House for their 3rd Annual "Go Red!" volunteer day, May 13, 2011.
These amazing volunteers got quite a work out for the afternoon - carrying donations of food, cleaning supplies and paper products to our downstairs pantry. Their second group of fabulous volunteers ventured over to our furniture barn and re-organized and re-arranged things so that our home furnishings will be easily located when clients moving into their own place come over to "shop."
The photo to the left features the Keller Williams Realty team and the food and supplies they collected to donate to our shelters and soup kitchen. Their generosity and spirit of giving is heart-warming and we are blessed to have their partnership and support. Neighbors helping neighbors in need - it doesn't get any better than that!
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April 3, 2011 - Leach Fieldhouse, University of Mary |
University of Mary Hosts Charity 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
A "3 on 3" Charity Basketball Tournament for Ruth Meiers Hospitality House was held on Sunday, April 3, 2011.
Location: University of Mary, Leach Fieldhouse
This was the first year for this charity tournament and $221 was raised to help the homeless in our community! We would like to thank the Business HSL for coordinating this charity event and the University of Mary for donating the space for this tournament.
Together, we are making a difference to men, women and chidlren in need.
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March 15, 2011 - Ruth Meiers Hospitality House
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Edgeley Elementary Visits Our Shelter
It was a pleasure to meet the 6th grade students, teacher, and chaperones from Edgeley Elementary School this week. Their class studied the effects of hunger, homelessness and poverty and part of this study was a tour of Ruth Meiers Hospitality House.
In addition to their learning, they went above and beyond by conducting a food and supply drive to help those who are less fortunate. Food, laundry soap, clothing and more was collected and generously donated by these amazing kids.
Thank you so much - we are proud to have your partnership & support!
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November 18, 2010: Joel & Craig take third place for their "Half Time Heart Attack" Chili! |
Chili Cook-Off During Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
We are so thankful to everyone who attended our event or made a donation to make our first ever Ruth Meiers Hospitality House Chili Cook-Off a great success!
We would like to thank:
Our amazing University of Mary volunteers, Thrivent Financial volunteers and to our amazing volunteer auctioneer, Rich. We simply couldn't have survived this event without your help!
Our local celebrity judges: Mayor John Warford, Police Chief Keith Witt, Carrie Grosz of Carrie's Kids, Stacy Sturm of URL Radio and Terry Kraft, Board Chair of the Bis-Man Chamber. We had a great time haing you each participate and hope each of you enjoyed the event as well!
Each of our chili cook-off teams for donating their time, chili making skills and delicious ingredients to wow our judges taste buds. We had seven rock-star chili teams and the second and third place scores were just one point apart! Next year we plan to add a public choice award to add to the excitement.
Both of our sponsors, Grand Theatres and Great River Energy
To the generous businesses who provided us with supplies for the event:
* Cashwise Foods (giftcard for supplies),
* Cloverdale (napkins),
* Great Plains Food Bank (Pumpkin pies, sour cream, veggies and mini chocolate cupcakes),
* North and South Wal-Mart (gift cards for supplies), and
* Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (cups)
All 50 + businesses and individuals who donated items for the evening's charity auction
KFYR, KXMB, The Bismarck Tribune and all of the local community calendars for providing coverage of our fundraiser
Overall, this brand-new fundraising event raised nearly $4,000 to benefit Ruth Meiers Hospitality House and the Stone Soup Kitchen. Together, we truly make a difference!
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L to R - Gail Snustad, Vecta Tietz, Doug Zinke, Mary Becker.
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Wells Fargo Team Hosts Drive to Benefit Ruth Meiers Hospitality House
Wells Fargo employees in Bismarck and Mandan went out of their way to help the homeless and hungry families served by Ruth Meiers Hospitality House this November. While hinting to us that they were holding a small drive for food and some children's toys, they actually collected an entire room full of necessities for our shelter guests including: a high chair and booster seat, a baby bathtub, dozens of toys and books, several sets of bedding, clothing for men, women and children, diapers and baby food, non perishable food items and more! What a blessing to have such generous and outgoing neighbors. We are so thankful for everything you collected for our homeless and hungry families!
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This amazing team has also generously contributed their time and help for the past two years at our United Way Day of Caring projects AND has recently provided a generous grant to cover expenses for a much-needed security system at our Women and Children's Emergency Shelter. We simply wouldn't be able to provide the shelter and supportive servies without the generosity and partnership of such wonderful businesses and community leaders.
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Scott Berge's Halloween Portrait Day for Charity was a great success!
DATE: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30th 2010, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM - no appointment necessary!
We are so grateful that Photographic Art by Scott Berge once again hosted this traditional event to help homeless children sheltered at Ruth Meiers Hospitality House. This year's Halloween Portrait Day raised over $300 and collected enough food to feed a family at our shelter for a week!
Photographic Art by Scott Berge , 701-223-6341.
Thank you to all who participated in this fun annual fundraiser! Together, we are making a difference to the homeless and hungry children and families in our community.
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Toy Drive for Children in Our Shelter
Thank you to everyone who donated new and gently used toys and games for the children's playroom October 15th & 16th. The Toy Drive at Yankee Candle was a great success on Saturday, October 16th - bringing in lots of wonderful toys for the homeless children to play with.
The pictures here are toys that were kindly donated from the local crafter's group, "With Love." We are so blessed to have their help and support in this event! "With Love" does several fundraising projects that help homeless children in our community - we would like to say a special thank you to them for their kind & inspiring help to fill our toyroom with all these wonderful toys, dvds, and helpful donations to ease the stress on homeless children and their mothers.
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The children must have felt like it was Christmas morning when they came home from school! The handmade pillow cases shown here become the children's property when they move into their own home...to make ease their transition and provide comfort!
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| July 22, 2010: Guests living in our men's emergency shelter receive a surprise for Make Someone Smile Week |
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Make Someone Smile Week - Ken's Flower Shop
We are so grateful for Tammy and her team of florists at Ken's Flower Shop in Bismarck. On Thursday, July 22nd, they delivered 70 bright & cheerful floral arrangements to the homeless living in our men's and women's emergency shelters.
What a great way to celebrate "Make Someone Smile Week!" Many of our shelter guests told me they had never received flowers before - what a beautiful way to brighten their day!
Thank you! You brought forth dozens of smiles :-)
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Schneider's Flowerama Parade of Ponds
We would like to say a special thank you to Schneider's Flowerama for hosting the 9th Annual Parade of Ponds on Sunday, July 18th, 2010. There were 18 beautiful pond locations to tour at homes across Bismarck/Mandan.
Parade of Ponds proceeds were donated to Ruth Meiers Hospitality House, to benefit homeless or hungry men, women and children in your community. This year $1,110 was raised to help those in need.
Schneider's Flowerama is located 210 N 16th Street Bismarck. Please call 258-8418 for more information about next year's amazing 10th Annual Parade of Ponds.
Thank you for supporting the less fortunate, every heart needs a home. Together, we make a difference!
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Little Caesars Love Kitchen Visits Ruth Meiers Hospitality House
On June 10, 2010 the Little Caesars "Love Kitchen on Wheels" arrived in Bismarck to bake fresh, hot Little Caesar's Pizza for the hungry. The Love Kitchen travels from coast to coast, to help those in need. It has served pizza to thousands of homeless and hungry survivors of Hurricane Katrina as well as to those affected by disasters closer to us such as the floods that have struck ND.
This fun project was made possible courtesy of Randy and Lisa Rhone, owners of both Little Caesars locations in Bismarck. They generously took time out of their busy schedules to set up the event and cook a great lunch for the hungry men, women and children served by our housing programs at Ruth Meiers. And who can resist Little Caesars pizza? Our staff and neighborhood friens were also invited to join in the fun.
On behalf of everyone who was able to join us for pizza served by the Little Caesars Love Kitchen, THANK YOU!
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Randy and Lisa Rhone, owner/operators with Little Caesar himself!
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2010 Bismarck Kiwanis Fundraiser Raised Over $2,000 to Help Homeless Children and Families
On June 8th, The Bismarck Kiwanis celebrated the success of the 2010 breakfast fundraiser by presenting a check for $2,075 to Ruth Meiers Hospitality House!
The Bismarck Kiwanis Club's annual pancake and sausage breakfast was held on April 11th, 2010 - at the Bismarck Municipal Country Club. Ruth Meiers Hospitality House partnered with the Bismarck Kiwanis to help with the media and advertising. We also receive a majority of the proceeds from this fundraiser and working together, we brought in about 800 people to enjoy a delicious breakfast cooked and served by the Bismarck Kiwanis members. Our staff and Board of Ruth Meiers Hospitality House would like to say a special "thank you" to the generous Bismarck Kiwanis Club, to our wonderful radio dj's who helped us promote our event - and of course to everyone who attended & helped make this event such a success!
Together we make a difference!
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| Kulm students collected essential food and supplies to help the less fortunate...April 13, 2010 |
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Kulm Elementary Friends Take a Shelter Tour
It was a pleasure to meet the 5th & 6th grade students and educators from Kulm Elementary School this week. Their class studied the effects of hunger, homelessness and poverty and part of this study was a tour of Ruth Meiers Hospitality House.
In addition to their learning, they went above and beyond by conducting a food and supply drive to help those who are less fortunate. Food, laundry soap, clothing and more was collected and generously donated by these caring kids. Many of these students raised money to help the homeless by participating in a challenge to go without electronics for a week-end even!
Thank you so much - we are proud to have your partnership & support!
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Cub Scout Pack 9 Delivers Food to Our Shelter
It is inspiring to see our neighbors of all ages working together to help the hungry and homeless families in the community! Boy Scout Troop 9 and Cub Scout Pack 9, both chartered through Bismarck Church of LDS, recently worked diligiently handing out flyers and collecting food to help feed the hungry!
These amazing boys collected over 450 of non-perishable food items (about 300 pounds - WOW!) and the Cub Scout group delivered them to our shelter on April 7, 2010. We are so thankful to have their help and support so we can continue to feed hungry men, women and children cannot afford groceries and basic necessities.
Thank you - we are so grateful to have your help and partnership!
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March 18, 2010 - Lonnie Kindseth & team at RDO Equipment, Bismarck |
RDO Employees Build Furniture for Our Shelter
We are so greatful for Lonnie Kindseth and his RDO Equipment team for their hard work to spruce up bedrooms in our men's shelter.
Lonnie and Dianna Kindseth not only purchased five new dressers for our men's emergency shelter, but Lonnie's team of RDO staff took time to assemble and deliver this brand-new furniture to our shelter on March 18th! Their generosity is greatly appreciated by our staff and shelter guests alike....Thank you - Together, we make a difference!
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| March 16 2010 - 6th graders from Edgeley Elementary |
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Edgeley 6th Graders Help Feed the Hungry
It was a pleasure to meet the 6th grade students, teachers, and chaperones from Edgeley Elementary School this week. Their class studied the effects of hunger, homelessness and poverty and part of this study was a tour of Ruth Meiers Hospitality House.
In addition to their learning, they went above and beyond by conducting a food and supply drive to help those who are less fortunate. Food, laundry soap, clothing and more was collected and generously donated by these caring kids.
Thank you so much - we are proud to have your partnership & support!
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Girl Scout Troop #83107 - Helping to Feed the Hungry!
It is always heartwarming to see neighbors of all ages stepping up to the plate to help the less fortunate! Girl Scout Troop 83107 has 4th graders from five different schools in Bismarck: Will-Moore, Grimsrud, Roosevelt, Jeannette myhre and Highland Acres. Troop leader, Dawn Hintz, explained to me "We gave the girls a choice of who they wanted to help and they chose the Ruth Meiers Hospitality House!"
This amazing troop collected over 100 pounds of non-perishable food items and delivered them to our shelter on March 2, 2010. We are so thankful to have their help and support so we can continue to feed hungry men, women and children cannot afford groceries and basic necessities.
Together, we make a difference - Thank you!
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Will Kincaid, Bismarck Tribune |
From the Heart - A Christmas Challenge!
While our staff, Board of Directors, and the clients we serve are very thankful for the generosity of our entire community, we would like to share a particularly inspiring story, a Christmas Challenge, which we learned about in early January.
Although 2009 was a challenge to meet our financial budget, we continued to pursue our passion…working hard, staying positive, and keeping faith that additional funding would come our way soon. Then, on a cold January afternoon, Pastor Kermit Culver, of Legacy United Methodist Church (formerly known as First United Methodist Church) stopped by to visit Susan Martin, our Executive Director. Pastor Kermit explained that back in November, he had challenged his congregation to have "half a Christmas" for 2009. He asked families to calculate how much they spent on their 2008 Christmas….and to honor the true spirit of the season by donating the other half they would have spent on Christmas to charity. He challenged them to make others a priority and reminded them it was not THEIR birthday they were preparing to celebrate.
The Challenge? To come together in their mission and raise $25,000 to benefit Ruth Meiers Hospitality House. Ruth Meiers was chosen as a benefactor because of the wide variety of programs we offer to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry and to serve our neighbors who need emergency assistance through our Single Point of Entry.
On January 10 2010, Sue Martin, Executive Director, and Kelly Gunsch, Director of Development attended both Sunday services at Legacy United Methodist Church to celebrate in the successful fundraising challenge! Sue and Kelly shared with everyone how their extraordinary efforts would be put to good use at Ruth Meiers. When Pastor Kermit announced the final total - $27,700 - to the congregation, jaws dropped…friends and family looked at each other with surprise and pride. We could sense the legacy they were creating….for a mission with about 350 active families in our community, this was the true meaning of Christmas.
Homelessness has no set rules or status requisites - it could happen to any of us. Our friends at Legacy United Methodist Church should feel proud of how they have reached out to shelter the homeless and feed the hungry. As our partners, they are now part of the solution to solving these ever present social problems.
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