December

New Partnership

I have written before about Loaves & Fishes becoming its own nonprofit and that day has arrived! What does that mean? For most people it will be difficult to notice any difference at all. Meals will still be prepared and served at First Lutheran. Loaves & Fishes will continue under the agreement between Loaves & Fishes and First Lutheran.

The difference will be that Loaves & Fishes will no longer use First Lutheran’s 501c3 nonprofit status to operate. Loaves & Fishes has its own 501c3 now and will handle its own finances. While all money in the Loaves & Fishes dedicated fund was raised by Loaves & Fishes through donations, grants, and fundraising, there was confusion whether the money belonged to First Lutheran or Loaves & Fishes. We should remind ourselves that all things belong to God.

Loaves & Fishes now has a clear and transparent separation of finances from First Lutheran. The First Lutheran Loaves & Fishes dedicated account will not be added to, and Loaves & Fishes bills will be paid through the account until gone. To help from continuing to add to the dedicated account, Loaves & Fishes is asking that all donations (checks) now be written to “Beaver Dam Loaves & Fishes” or “BD Loaves & Fishes” or simply “Loaves & Fishes.” Donations can be sent to Loaves & Fishes, N7602 Edgewater Drive, Beaver Dam, WI 53916. Beaver Dam Loaves & Fishes is required to meet the same standards, rules, and regulations that First Lutheran and any other nonprofit is required to by law.

The transparency and separation of finances between First Lutheran and Loaves & Fishes is one benefit and there are more benefits. Currently, 40% of Loaves & Fishes money comes from grants. Loaves & Fishes fills out grant applications to different organizations that award monies based on our application. There are organizations that will not grant monies to Churches because of the potential of promoting a religion or requiring religious participation for the people receiving the services. The Loaves & Fishes nonprofit is not a Church allowing us to apply for grants from more organizations.

Another benefit of Loaves & Fishes nonprofit status is the ability of Loaves & Fishes to have more control over the organization’s future. No one knows exactly what the future holds or what other opportunities Loaves & Fishes may be able to participate in. We are proud to be a partner with First Lutheran and we know that it is a mutually beneficial relationship. Check out the new member’s bulletin board to see one positive example of our partnership.

The Bible verse I used in my September focus article – Partnership is still very applicable.

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:4-5

The partnership between Loaves & Fishes and First Lutheran will continue to bear much fruit. God will use our partnership to bless all of us and our community.