St. Joseph’s Sigma chapter of Psi Iota Xi will host its annual Ladies Night Out on Feb. 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph United Methodist Church.

Over the last decade, the winter gathering has been a way to connect small businesses with community members.

“This event is meant to bring small business owners together with new customers and community members, giving them an opportunity to build and grow their business in the community,” St. Joseph’s Sigma Psi Iota Founder and President Kathy Lyons said.

Giving community members the opportunity to escape cabin fever towards the end of the long winter months, Sigma Psi Iota has received a lot of positive feedback.

“Members of the community have seen this as a great way to learn more about services and businesses in the area,” Lyons said.

“I think it is so popular because we hold the event at a time when people want a chance to get out of the house and enjoy the company of others during the winter months.

“For vendors this is a time of year when they aren’t as busy so it helps them focus on building their customer base during a slower time of year. Additionally, it is a fun night filled with meeting new people and vendor giveaways — who doesn’t love winning a prize from a favorite vendor?”

Guests can expect a room filled with small business owners and vendors who are selling products, sharing information, and giving away door prizes.

Although the list of vendors for the evening will continue to be updated until the night of the event, Mary Kay, ThirtyOne and Tupperware have been sold before. For an updated list, visit the Ladies Night Out Facebook Event.

“Many of the vendors will hold specials for that night,” Lyons said. “Additionally, food will be served by Geschenk Coffee Haus, so come hungry.”

The post St. Joseph’s Ladies Night Out on Feb.27 first appeared on SJO Daily.

“We are blessed with the awesome volunteer power we have to run our new food-distribution ministry,” co-organizer Nada Cagle said. “We’re glad people who need food are showing up. And we hope people will keep spreading the word to help us reach as many folks as possible.”

Feed the Need Food Distribution begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, August 1 and lasts until 7 p.m. The church is located at 205 North Third Street, just across the street from Subway in St. Joseph.

“We hope people will spread the word so those in need in our area feel comfortable coming here each month to get food, plus some fellowship while they’re here,” co-organizer Connie Jamison said. 

“All are welcome! No need to pre-register. Just show up and bring some bags if you can. You’ll go home with a shopping cart full. 

The mission works provides all kinds of fresh and frozen food, as well as non-food items like sunscreen, laundry soap and air fresheners at no cost.

In July, the fourth month of this new endeavor, five new volunteers helped distribute food to:

• 40 people, 14 of them children
• Eight St. Joseph families
• Five Homer families 
• One Broadlands family 
• One Longview family

“We have a host of solid organizers and helpers, but we do anticipate more growth based on what we’ve seen here at the beginning,” volunteer Tammy Frick said. 

If you’d like to help, please call SJUMC at (217) 469-2515 or send an email to office@sjumchurch.org to learn more about volunteering. The food-distribution effort needs:

• Backup volunteer drivers to go to Bloomington’s Midwest Food Distribution Center and back.
• Help unloading and bringing in supplies using carts and the church’s elevator.
• People who will set up new and stored food items.
• Registration helpers. 
• Assistance bagging up what people choose and loading items in their vehicles. 

Organizers accept monetary donations, and if the need continues to grow, they will need more drivers and vehicles to transport food.  

Upcoming food-distribution dates are:

• August 29
• October 3
• October 31
• November 21
• December 19

For more information, please visit facebook.com/cufeedtheneed/.

The post St. Joseph church provides free food pickup, volunteer opportunities first appeared on SJO Daily.