GLC Generosity

Generosity Partner Focus

Geneva Lutheran is increasing its mission impact and sharing Christ’s light by engaging community organizations! In 2021, we gave $75,000 to organizations that offer healing and encouragement, making the Tri-Cities such a special place to live and serve. Since then, we are designating 2% of our budget each year to continue to multiply the impact of our generous congregation and will also serve by sending volunteers to work alongside these groups. Check back often for updates on the organizations we are serving and how we continue to impact our community.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK

Northern Illinois Food Bank focuses on delivering food and healthy eating services to the Northern Illinois community. As part of the national Feeding America network, they serve our neighbors in 13 counties by providing 250,000 meals per day, approximatley 90 million meals annually.

In January of 2026, GLC presented a check for $9,298.98. This will provide almost $75,000 worth of food for hungry neighbors.

How you can join the mission:

  • GLC volunteers pack food at Northern Illinois Food Bank every month. Watch the Enews for opportunities to serve or contact Martha Sobie for more information.
  • Visit www.solvehungertoday.org for opportunities to support Northern Illinois Food Bank.
  • Contact Winnie Frankel for more information.

HOLY TRINITY SOUP KETTLE

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Elgin, IL) is a member of the Elgin Cooperative Ministry and provides dinner service on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays of each week. Geneva Lutheran Church (GLC) has joined in this feeding ministry by providing dinner service on the 5th Sunday of a month, which typically occurs 4-5 times per year. The dinner service feeds between 60 to 80 Elgin area residents, consisting of men, women and some children, totalling at approximatley 800 meals every month.

In December 2025, GLC presented a check for $3,500 towards the purchase of a new dishwasher. This will replace the old dishwasher from 1945 that has been out of use for several years now.

How you can join the mission:

  • GLC serves meals at Holy Trinity throughtout the year. Watch the Enews for opportunities to serve.
  • Contact Winnie Frankel for more information.

RADICAL LOVE

Founded in June 2021, Radical Love exists to bring a community together. They build relationships and work to help resettled refugee and senior citizen neighbors, and we partner with local schools and housing complexes to help children in need. 

 

In May 2025, GLC presented a check for $18,275 to support the contiued work of Radical Love.

 

How you can join the mission:

  • Visit theradicallove.org to check out volunteer opportunities and more ways to support their mission.

LSSI: RIVERAIN SENIOR LIVING

Riverain Point Apartments is a housing facility for seniors 62 years or older and adults 18 years or older with a disability, as defined by the tenant selection policy sponsored by Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) and funded through the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8, 202 Program. It offers 84 units with some designed for people with reduced mobility.

 

In September 2024, GLC presented a check for $10,000 to support the continued work of the LSSI Riverain Senior Living Community.

 

How you can join the mission:

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS FOX VALLEY

The mission of Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley is to help individuals in the region acquire the literacy skills that they need to function more effectively in contemporary U.S. society. They equip and empower individuals who are otherwise unable to participate fully in our community. Through trained volunteers, staff and the generosity of many supporters they offer one-to-one tutoring focusing on reading, writing, speaking and understanding in English.

 

In December 2023, GLC presented a check for $10,138 to support the continued work of LVFV in our community.

 

How you can join the mission:
  • Visit www.lvfv.org to check out volunteer opportunities and more ways to support their mission.

HABITAT OF HUMANITY OF NORTHERN FOX VALLEY / POTTAWATOMIE PARTNERSHIP

Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to giving families the opportunity to improve their future through home ownership.  They have a dedicated staff who manage efforts, build homes for our families, work tirelessly with thousands of volunteers and qualify partner families.

 

In 2023, the GLC Benevolence Committee wrote a check to Habitat for Humanity and the Pottawatomie Partnership for $8000 which will be used towards the purchase of a lot for a future home.

 
How you can join the mission:
  • Visit habitatnfv.org to check out volunteer opportunities and more ways to support their mission.

PARENT’S DAY OUT

When looking for organizations that make a difference in our community, it turned out we didn’t even need to leave our building. The Parent’s Day Out program serves families by providing a loving, play-based experience for their two to five year-old children. During the 2020-21 year, PDO became a lifeline for families juggling older students with e-learning, working from home and other demands. The gift of $7,000 will be used to update the classrooms.  
 
How you can join the mission:
  • Contact Ali Blane for volunteer opportunities!

TRICITY FAMILY SERVICES

TriCity Family Services has been around for more than 50 years providing affordable mental health care to people in our area. The need has only increased in the last few years.  In 2021 Geneva Lutheran gifted TriCity Family Services $20,000—to enrich their Family-Based Treatment for Eating Disorders Program.
 
GLC donated another $16,813 to TriCities Family Services in December 2022. We are so glad we are able to continue to support the important work that TriCity Family Services does for our community.
 
How you can join the mission:

LUTHERAN OUTDOOR MINISTRIES CENTER

LOMC is an outdoor sanctuary and resource for churches and organizations throughout Illinois. Every summer we take students to LOMC for confirmation camp, but LOMC is a year-round ministry! You can go for some time away with family and friends or volunteer to keep trails clear and buildings up to date. It’s relatively close— just over an hour away! Geneva Lutheran gifted LOMC $13,000—these funds will be used to upgrade their dining hall and water heaters.
 
How you can join the mission:
  • Check out LOMC.org for volunteer opportunities and more ways to support their mission.

MUTUAL GROUND

Mutual Ground is an organization devoted to providing resources and support for those who experience violence and abuse in their homes. The pandemic confined many families to their homes while loss of jobs and social interactions added stress leading to an increased need. Geneva Lutheran gifted them $20,000 for this essential work in our community. 
 
How you can join the mission:
  • Check their website for volunteer opportunities and more ways to support their mission.

ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH

Geneva Lutheran Church has partnered with St. Andrew Lutheran Church in West Chicago by donating $4,000 to help with their Emergency Food Fund. Since May of 2020, countless volunteers have packed rice and beans and prepped on Fridays, in addition to an additional $10,000+ in directed donations from the congregation over that time period. This partnership has been especially meaningful in this time.

LAZARUS HOUSE

Geneva Lutheran Church partnered with Lazarus House (a ministry serving people experiencing homelessness with emergency housing, meals and many other resources) by donating $1,000 to help organize their clothes closet and $10,000 to use in the area of highest need. 

How you can join the mission:

  • Volunteer to help organize the clothes closet.  Contact: Mary Klein
  • Volunteer to help prepare monthly meals (on the 2nd Sunday). Contact: Lisa Kanzler
  • Volunteer to help organize the annual rummage sale. Contact: Mary Klein