By Deb Pattee
RUTH aims to be an agent of change, hope, healing, and unity in rural west-central Wisconsin. They are an interfaith partnership working to create strong and just communities.
- The Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation provided a grant of $3000 for the ministry of the Spanish speaking United Methodist Church Fuente de Vida (which met in Arcadia and now meets in Independence) to provide them with fresh produce from a community garden held in Arcadia and to purchase meat to feed their parishioners in hope of growing their congregation.
- Jacob Kluza (Horticulture Outreach Specialist for Jackson and Trempealeau Counties) worked with us to create the community garden in Arcadia. We planned what to plant, purchased the seeds and plugs, and planted it in May.
- The organization Sleep in Heavenly Peace had two bed builds. The first this year was on Saturday, April 20, at the Buffalo County Shop in Mondovi. 30 beds were built and 20 more stained.
- Adam Trunzo, who heads up the Reentry Coalition meeting, created a handout that explains who to contact if anything is needed by those exiting jail. The grant of $4900 will also help the organization assist those reentering the community with curriculum, gas cards, initial services, and clothing.
- The IV Hoodie Project was suggested and started by Ellen Hauser. A Thrivent Grant of $300 was received for the project, including t-shirts and a $250 credit card to help with the expenses. Over the course of the year, 34 hoodies were made and distributed. One way information about this project is shared is through church bulletins.
- Many presentations were made this year to various organizations:
- March 3 – Ellen and Tekla gave a RUTH and hoodie presentation at Peace Lutheran
- April 13 – Ellen and Tekla gave a presentation on RUTH for the hoodie program at the Lutheran ELCA Morning of Renewal at Mondovi Lutheran Church
- May 22 – Tekla gave a presentation on RUTH at the Hixton/Northfield Church Council Meeting
- June 9 – Tekla presented on RUTH at the Eleva Lutheran Church.
- June 9 – Ellen gave a presentation on RUTH and the hoodie program at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Whitehall
- RUTH volunteers were trained so that they might be able to provide rides for those reentering the community after being released from jail.
- Held a Health Fair geared towards the Latin American community at Peace Lutheran Church in Pigeon Falls on November 9, 2024, from 10:00 – 1:00. The Peace Church Council donated $400.00 towards the cost of presenters’ meals prepared by a food truck. Approximately 120 people were in attendance. 19 community organizations were staffed by about 40 persons, which included interpreting staff. (Two students from the Independence High School, studying for their interpreter certification through Viterbo University, were available to interpret throughout the day.) 14 adults received COVID immunizations, 35 adults and children received flu shots or nasal immunizations. 20 hearing tests were completed resulting in 3 referrals. As a result of car seat inspections, it was deemed that 2 seats should be replaced with new ones by the Trempealeau County Public Health Car Seat Program. 20 Narcan kits were given out upon request by the RIPple Drug Education and Awareness organization. Jim Hubert was present with his Luke 3:11 Warm Clothing Ministry. Jim presented 20 families with winter clothing. Many door prizes were given to families in attendance as well as 100 Thrivent t-shirts printed in Spanish.
- Bicycles were checked out from the Whitehall Library just as one would check out books. The Independence Library is also interested in participating.
- Received a $1000 grant to open an Adult Clothing Center at Peace Lutheran Sunday School Building in Pigeon Falls.
- Luke 3:11 Project, which is facilitated by Jim Hubert, had a great year offering winter clothing for those in need.
- Business cards for RUTH were designed and printed that include the logo, mission statement, key information, and contact information.
- Participated in Randy’s Grocery Store “Randy’s Roundup” for August 19-September 8 for RUTH projects such as: IV Hoodies, Food Pantries, Bicycle Library Loan Program, Clothing Closet, and Reentry Coalition. A display was made to have in the store to inform customers. We received $588.28.
- Clothes are now available for the Reentry Program in the Trempealeau County Correctional Facility from the RUTH Clothing Closet. Bins were obtained for clothes to be finally housed at the facility.
- We provided money for The Mondovi Food Pantry to purchase food which was short on some items; we gave $300 towards the Health Fair; we donated $100 to the Luke 3: 11 Warm Clothing Ministry; we gave $200 to Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
- ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center) has partnered with us and now sends a representative to our monthly meetings.
- We received numerous donations such as: Hixton-Northfield Lutheran Congregation donated $500; A friend of Tekla donated $1000; $40 was received for the hoodie project from individuals at the Lutheran ELCA Morning of Renewal at Mondovi Lutheran Church; Eleva Lutheran donated $155.