Grace Lutheran members run 'Buck a Chick' program

Buck a Chick posters were displayed in the Welcome Center of Grace Lutheran Church.

During this season of Lent, in addition to donating money to a local shelter, Grace Lutheran members participated in the “Buck a Chick” program.
According to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America website, www.elca.org, the donations “help provide families living in poverty with chicks to provide a source of food and income.”
Joyce Berner, director of music for the 10:45 a.m. service, said she found out about the program from an ELCA newsletter and brought the idea to the pastors.
“I thought it was a fabulous idea to raise money without people having to give a lot,” Joyce said, adding that the dollar can go a long way to help families in need. “To think that buying a chick for $1 can mean they can eat a meal of eggs or sell those eggs at the market to buy more food and clothing for their family. We lose sight that so many people have so little.”
Rose echoed Joyce’s comments and said $1 really isn’t much for people to donate.
Pastor Neff and Pastor Krais put Joyce in contact with Rose Nixon, who is the chair of the Social Ministry.  Rose informed members about the program and collected donations around the 8 a.m. service. Joyce did the same for the 10:45 a.m. service.
Just like other fundraising programs like Jerry’s Kids and autism awareness, those who donated received a paper they could sign. The papers had a picture of a chick on them and families could decorate the chick.
A total of $285 was raised for “Buck a Chick” during the Lent season at Grace.
Rose and Joyce said they are hoping Grace can raise even more money for “Buck a Chick” next year.
Through the "Good Gifts" program the ELCA offers opportunities for giving year round for people to help others in need, from livestock (like the chicks) to medical and school supplies to wells for water to disaster relief (like Midwest tornadoes).  One hundred percent of donations go directly to the designated
need.  Overhead and administrative costs are absorbed through other funding.