A Legacy of Local Giving

In the early 1900s, before government aid or large foundations existed, it was the blacksmith, the grocer, and the banker down the street who kept the doors of the little white church open. When the pastor’s family fell ill, the pharmacist sent medicine. When the soup pot ran low, the butcher added bones for broth. Every business in town felt a responsibility for the souls and stomachs of their neighbors—because the church wasn’t “someone else’s work,” it was their work, too.

That same spirit lives on today through generous local partners like the John J. and Norma A. Foster Foundation of Stillwater, Minnesota, and the Viola E. Lundberg Trust. Their kindness reminds us that the heart of community giving has not changed—only grown stronger. We are deeply grateful to live in an era where faith, compassion, and hometown generosity still walk hand in hand.

A Note of Thanks

Dear Neighborhood Supporters, for the mother too tired to cook, the man seeking recovery, the child riding by on a bike, or the elderly couple looking for a warm place to eat and pray—Thank you for your support this season.