Children of Hope
Children of Hope works with local and global missions to serve children in orphanages and foster care. Volunteers have opportunities to plan and participate in these missions; to assist in building awareness of the children's needs and God's call to serve them; and to be a resource for families interested in adoption or foster parenting. COH meets the 2nd Monday of each month from 7-9 pm in Room 203. Childcare is available. Anyone with a heart for children is welcome to attend! Contact Julie Lubkeman Smith at 226-9598 or childrenofhope07@yahoo.com.

Click here for Children of Hope's monthly newsletter.

Christ In Action
Christ in Action is a group of kids and their families who meet quarterly to share the love of Jesus Christ through project work with the local and world community. Check the bulletin for upcoming events. For more information, contact Deb Schmudlach or Trina Graen.

Cookie Ministry
One Sunday per month, volunteers supply either six dozen cookies, two dozen sandwiches, 48 small bags of chips or 48 pieces of fruit. Two hundred complete lunches are delivered to “the streets” each Sunday. In addition, we deliver propane, bug spray and other needs. Food items are also taken to six different missions and to Ruth Harbor. Volunteers are continually sought as the need is great for our area’s homeless. “An empty stomach is worse than a broken heart.” Contact:  Alan Kinsey at (515) 226-8352 or geswhosbac@aol.com

Food Pantry
Hope works with DMARC, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, in sponsoring the Emergency Food Pantry, a program to help meet the short-term needs of hungry people in the Des Moines area. Volunteer opportunities include donating food and personal items or working at one of the sites. Contact Kathy Mathews at (515) 537-2308 or Sherry Opsal at (515) 669-1204.

God Squad
God Squad is made up of volunteers from Hope who seek to share God's grace and Christ's love throughout the community through acts of compassion, kindness and caring. God Squad members are contacted via e-mail to participate in such things as community charitable events, donating items for the needy, or responding in the event of a crisis. For more information, contact Lela Griffin at (515) 222-1520 ext. 149.

Interfaith Hospitality Network
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) is a program that provides a way for Hope to respond to the needs of homeless families with children. IHN provides opportunities for members of Hope to unite hearts and hands to provide shelter, meals and compassionate assistance to low-income families. Hope once a quarter opens our doors to 16 people who need the most basic of care.  If you would like to participate in this ministry please contact Michelle Walke at (515) 225-8265 or Wayne Haines at (515) 992-3705

Meals for the Homeless
Lutheran Church of Hope members are responsible for preparing and serving a meal on the 4th of each month at Central Iowa Shelter and Services located at 205 15th St in Des Moines. We create a menu (usually one warm dish, a side dish, fruit, bread and dessert). We also need milk, juice, cereal, coffee, sugar, peanut butter, etc. each month. A shelter menu sign-up is located each month at the Mission Shack. To help, please review the items needed, sign your name with the quantity you will provide and your phone number, and simply drop off your contribution to Hope by 5:15 on the 4th (non-perishable donations may be dropped off to Hope prior to the 4th). We select easy-to-make casserole recipes and provide those to you with the menu sign-up at the Mission Shack. You simply make the recipe, put it in a disposable 9x13 pan, and deliver it to the church cooked and warm by 5:15 on the 4th. We need 8-10 people to help serve the meal at the shelter on the 4th of each month. Many times we have small groups or choirs sign up to do so. However, we encourage individuals to contact us if they (or their families) are interested in serving. Servers meet at the church at 5:15pm on the 4th to load the food and take it downtown. We leave the church at approximately 5:45pm. Servers help haul in the food, put away the breakfast items, prepare the dinner meal, pray for God's blessing on the meal/guests/servers, and then serve the meal. We are not responsible for clean-up (but it takes no time at all!) and we are finished around 7:15pm. Contact: Jenny Lashier @ (515)255-6643.


Mission Opportunities in the Des Moines Area

Bidwell Riverside
Bidwell Riverside is a nonprofit organization that helps families in need in the Des Moines area. Volunteer opportunities include helping in their clothing closet, sorting food and mentoring families. Contact: Sammy Palmer at (515)244-6251 or spalmer@bidwellriverside.org.

Children and Family Urban Ministries
CFUM provides morning meals to 50 children before their school day begins. The program also offers after-school programming for 70 students. Activities range from tutoring to providing a safe zone for parents as they balance family, career and transportation. The ministry also provides meals for 120 families balancing on the poverty line. Some of the greatest needs of CFUM occur during the end of each month when food stamps run out in a majority of these families. Contact Linda Danielson at (515)282-3242 or visit www.cfum.org.

Elim Christian Fellowship
Elim's mission is to create worship that touches the heart of God, to preach and teach with biblical authority and integrity, and to equip the saints to evangelize the nations. Elim is a strong supporter of reconciliation among races, gender, classes, cultures, and denominations. Contact Carla Kaiser at (515)243-5512 or movewithgod@gmail.com.

Freedom For Youth Ministries
Through the efforts of Freedom for Youth Ministries, the lost youth hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and begin to understand that God loves them and has a plan for their life. No longer do they have to face their problems alone. Volunteers come along side them for encouragement and role modeling, allowing the youth to experience the love they have been missing in their lives. Youth enrolled in the Freedom program develop and implement a plan for education, employment, housing and life skills. Contact Mark Nelson at (515)988-0336 or visit www.freedomforyouth.org.

Hope Ministries
Hope Ministries is the Des Moines area's largest privately funded, Christ-centered shelter and recovery program for the homeless men, women and children. Their service sites include Bethel Mission, Door of Faith, Hope Family Center, Hope Cafe, King's Closet, Hope Outreach Centers and Hope Transitional Housing. They have over 75 volunteer positions available. Contact: David Burrier at (515)265-7272 or visit www.hopeiowa.org.

Lutheran Services in Iowa - Refugee Cooperative Services
The mission of Lutheran Services in Iowa is to respond to the love of Jesus Christ through acts of service to all. You can help with this mission by welcoming refugee families to Des Moines. Many of these families have fled violence and persecution in Africa, Iraq and other areas of the world. Opportunities include teaching English, working with children and preparing homes for new arrivals. Please contact Nick Wuertz at (515)271-7443 or nicholas.wuertz@lsiowa.org.

Ruth Harbor
Ruth Harbor is a Christ-centered home for young women who are facing unplanned pregnancies and are in need of assistance. You can help by providing services, financial support, prayer support, or by introducing your business, organization or service club to Ruth Harbor. Contact: Mark McDougal at (515)279-4661 or visit www.ruthharbor.org.

Shalom Zone Ministries
During the school year, Shalom Zone Ministries relies on volunteers to help staff their after-school program. Ways to serve include providing meals, helping with homework, creating crafts and being good role models to the children. Other volunteer opportunities include family dinners, summer day camps and a back-to-school health fair. For more information contact Kelsey Parker at (515)288-0475 or visit www.shalomzone.org.