American Legion and Knights of Columbus Donation

The main kitchen at Faith, Hope & Charity is a busy place. For 12 hours a day, Dietary Director Betty Schmidt and her staff prepare home-cooked meals for the 32 children that reside at the home for special children. Thanks to two separate grants, their job will be a little easier. The American Legion of Iowa Foundation and the Iowa State Council Knights of Columbus have each donated $1,000 to Faith, Hope & Charity for the purchase of a new stove.

After 20 years of use and thousands of meals, the current stove is in need of replacement. The old stove will be replaced with a stainless steel commercial grade stove which features 6 burners and 1 oven. Each year, the Faith, Hope & Charity dietary staff prepares over 40,000 meals for the 32 children that reside in the residential facility and the 50 children utilizing their community service programs. 

“We really appreciate the Legion and Knights making this wish come true” stated Betty Schmidt, Dietary Department Director. “The stove we have now is simply giving out .”
Development Director, Mary Sorenson-Ludwig, accepted the grant on behalf of FHC in July. “The American Legion of Iowa Foundation has extended its hand once again to the deserving children we serve here at Faith, Hope & Charity. We are grateful for this, and past, donations.”  FHC received grant monies in 1992 and 1996 for assistance with the completion of the Rainbow Path and Gazebo projects respectively. More recently in 2001, the Legion supported the purchase of home furnishings for the Community Services Center and in 2003 and 2005 they donated $1,000 towards the purchase of outdoor recreation equipment for the new Center.

Development Director Mary Sorenson-Ludwig accepts a grant from the American Legion of Iowa Foundation. Presenting the grant is Ed Reiter and Bill Geake, Post #262 Wall Lake, IA.