Pittsburgh 5th Ward Helping to Feed Local Schoolchildren

During the 2013-14 school year, more than 70 percent of children attending school in the Pittsburgh School District were eligible for free or reduced price lunches. Many of these children return home to empty cupboards each night and weekend.

The Pittsburgh 5th Ward is teaming up with the local arm of Blessings in a Backpack to feed children from two elementary schools in Wilkinsburg, PA for a weekend.  The 5th Ward's goal is to fill at least 100 of the 620 backpacks needed for these schools.

The service event will be held Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Greentree Chapel - 46 School St., Pittsburgh.  

All our welcome to attend, especially children.  Please bring a donation and help fill the backpacks that will go home to feed these children.  If you have any questions about this event, contact Jacqueline Haines at jrhnanny4u@me.com.

Blessings in a Backpack provides elementary school children who are on the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal Program with food to take home for 38 weekends during the school year.  Backpack food includes easy-to-prepare, ready-to-eat foods, like granola bars, juice boxes, macaroni and cheese cups, and oatmeal.

If you'd like to bring a donation, follow the guide below:

Last names starting with --

A-D: Capri Sun 100% juice (this brand only)

E-G: Fruit Snacks of Fruit Roll Ups

H-K: Individual pudding cup, applesauce, or fruit cups

L-N: Microwaveable popcorn

O-Q: Cheese Crackers (six in a pack, no peanut butter crackers)

R-T: Individual boxes of cereal or Pop Tarts

U-W: Rice Krispie treats or granola bars (no nuts)

X-Z: Easy Mac or small Chef Boyardee (not canned)

Service – The Arbor – December 2014

The December 2014 issue of The Arbor focuses on Step 12 – Service:

Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, share this message with others and practice these principles in all you do.

You’ve probably heard the saying, “an idle mind is the devils playground.” Serving others can help us keep busy and direct our thoughts and actions towards helping others. One contributor said, “One of the more sure anchors of personal recovery over addiction is to be anxiously engaged in good causes.”

As quoted from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in this edition: “Selfless acts of service and consecration refine our spirits, remove the scales from our spiritual eyes, and open the windows of heaven. By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own.”

Monongahela Pioneers Blood Drives in the Stake.

The Monongahela church's cultural hall became a blood donation center on August 5. Under the leadership of Scott Frederick, a member of both the Monongahela Ward and the stake public affairs council, members and friends signed up, Central Blood Bank brought everything necessary—staff, chairs, tables, equipment, even snacks, and by the end of the day the Blood Bank had collected 25 units of precious blood.

Alice Bonim of Central Blood Bank and Scott Frederick

Because faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints observe the Word of Wisdom—a law of health that rules out tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, and addictive drugs—they have good blood. When Cynthia Greathouse of the stake public affairs council approached the Central Blood Bank to suggest a partnership with the stake, officials of the blood bank were enthusiastic.

"Summer and winter are especially difficult, and we face shortages during those times of the year. We truly have ongoing needs all of the time. There is no substitute for blood," said Alice Bonim, who oversaw the event in Monongahela for the Blood Bank.

Members of the ward responded to the need. Even the young full-time missionaries donated.

Elder Martin from California said, "I came to donate blood and save lives. I don't like needles, but it's worth it!"

Sister Jones from Logan, Utah, said, "I got a little bruise, but it was worth it. Maybe I'm saving a baby's or a mother's life!"

Alice Bonim of the Blood Bank explained, "Donate blood and save three lives: every unit of blood can potentially be used for red cells, platelets, and plasma. Each has a specific use and need."

True to style, Sue Menzer of the Relief Society, with help from Ginnie Frederick, treated the Blood Bank's staff to a delicious lunch of homemade coleslaw, sloppy Joes, and yummy brownies.

By day's end the blood from Monongahela's faithful Church members was on its way to the Blood Bank. Thanks for your selfless service, brothers and sisters of the Monongahela Ward.

The leaders: Bishop Paul, Cynthia Greathouse and Scott Frederick. They made it happen.