| Jan – Brian Morden Foundation | Jul – Allegheny Lutheran Home |
| Feb – Altoona Food Bank | Aug – Mountain Lion Backpack Program |
| Mar – Lutheran Disaster Response | Sep – HOPE Drop-In Center |
| Apr – Family Services Inc. of Blair County | Oct – Harvest Home |
| May – Camp Sequanota | Nov – WALY Warmth |
| Jun – Nehemiah Project | Dec – Salvation Army |
Altoona Food Bank
Altoona Food Bank offers residents of Blair County a maximum of a 3-day supply of food for those who are in need of short-term emergency assistance. It is located at 2318 North Branch Avenue, Altoona, Pa., Phone 814-944-4013.
Brian Morden Foundation
The Brian Morden Foundation was created to honor Brian, a courageous 19 year old member of First Lutheran Church, who battled Ewing’s Sarcoma for more than two years. He lost the battle on February 15, 2003, but his family, friends, and many others who only knew Brian by reputation have vowed to continue the fight against this horrible disease. The foundation has three goals: Fund Ewing’s Sarcoma and childhood cancer research, support patients, family, and staff of pediatric oncology units, and provide funding for “Bri- an Morden Memorial” higher education scholarships. http://www.brianmordenfoundation.org
Camp Sequanota
Sequanota is a year-round, Christian-based retreat center and camp, located in the Laurel Highlands region of south central PA. It hosts retreats, meetings, reunions, special events, banquets and training workshops. In the summer, it provides Christian camping for families and youth, grades K-12. Sponsorships are avail- able for those with financial need. http://www.sequanota.com
Family Services, Incorporated of Blair County
FSI provides counseling, education and advocacy for the treatment and prevention of domestic and child abuse. Clients include adults, teens and children, including the intellectually challenged. Specialized hous- ing and temporary shelters are provided for victims, as they overcome and improve their life conditions. Additional day programs and community services are also available. www.familyservicesinc.net
Harvest Home
During the month of October, FELC members bring non-perishable food items to church. Circle of Hope then coordinates the donations with monetary gifts, and all are delivered to various local food banks, soup kitchens and non-profit nursing homes.
www.firstlutheranaltoona.org/outreach/
HOPE Drop-In Center
Health Opportunity, Purpose, Empowerment (HOPE) Drop-In Center is a local non-profit organization that provides a lifeline and safe haven for those living with mental illness, homelessness or addiction. Meals, laundry service, resource room, church, Bible study, and creative & social outlets are provided at no cost to the individual. It also connects people with services such as mental health counseling, addiction treatment and job-search support. The drop-in center is located at 711 9th Avenue Altoona, PA 16602, 814-515-1175.
Lutheran Disaster Response
Lutheran Disaster Response collaborates with other disaster-response and religious entities in the US and around the world to coordinate resources for maximum impact in response to the victims of hurricanes, tor- nados, earthquakes, flooding, and other such disasters. International work is partnered closely with compan- ion churches and other Lutheran and ecumenical relief agencies to address and meet local needs. US relief work is partnered within the ELCA affiliate network and other partners. Our benevolence offering is desig- nated for local disaster relief.
Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg
The Allegheny Lutheran Home was founded by FELC’s pastor, Dr. Luke Rhoads, and accepted its first resi- dents in 1950. Today, this community of care offers independent-living apartments and cottages, in addition to a 67-bed skilled nursing, short-term in-patient rehabilitation, and long-term care facility.
www.alsm.org/residential-living-communities/lutheran-home-hollidaysburg/
Mountain Lion Backpack Program
The Mountain Lion Backpack Program (MLBP) serves Altoona Area Elementary Students with healthy, individually wrapped, child-friendly food items all 35 weeks of the school year! Each week, MLBP staff and volunteers pack an average of 1,100 backpacks for children experiencing food insecurity.
www.mountainlionbackpackprogram.org
Nehemiah Project
The Nehemiah Project is a local community center that is focused on faith-based health and wholeness for the entire family. Located at 1809 11th Street, Altoona, it houses many areas where groups meet to learn and play. These include a HUB resource center & education room, Christian active parenting, NAMI pro- gram, Teen Bible study, Life Skills, health & fitness classes, abuse victim groups, Simply Dance, leadership groups, finance skills, after-school programs, a full-sized gym, workout room, and a sensory room. Contact number is 814-201-2096.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provides local assistance in the form of holiday giving & meals, disaster relief, D&A rehabilitation, life skills & job training, after-school programs help for domestic abuse, thrift stores, and spiritual guidance, Our local office is located at 200 7th Avenue, Al- toona, PA, 16602. (814) 946-3645.
Email to answers@use.salvationarmy.org
www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/brighten-the-holidays/
WALY Warmth
This program buys warm winter clothing for underprivileged children from our area. Each December, these children are taken on a shopping trip for their new clothes. For many of these children, it’s the only Christ- mas they’ll know. All the children are screened for eligibility by Child Advocates of Blair County. This is funded purely through donation, and every single cent goes to help buy warm winter clothing for underpriv- ileged right here in Blair County.
