Local Mission Ministry
Focusing on local ministry opportunities and seeking to carry out the third part of Zion’s mission – to serve those in need.
The role of the Social Ministry Committee is to reach out beyond the walls of Zion to get congregation members involved in helping people in need in our local community.
Those with a passion for any local organization or group that would be a good local partner, please contact the office or a member of the Social Ministry Committee.
Upcoming Events
March 1, 2021 – March 22, 2021
Minnesota FoodShare Month
- Contact
- Roger Brenny
sandyrogerbrenny@charter.net
- Equipment
- Collection Bins
- Webpage
- Local Missions
The 2021 Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign will run from Sunday, March 7, until Thursday, April 1. Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign is the largest grassroots food and fund drive in the state and brings together various community organizations, businesses, and faith communities to help stock nearly 300 food shelves statewide. During the month of March, food shelves weigh all food donations and keep track of all dollar donations designated for the March Campaign. These figures are reported to Minnesota FoodShare. Based on these figures, Minnesota FoodShare will give food shelves a percentage of the available dollars from their “Food Fund”. The “Food Fund” is funded by local corporations as well as other individuals, foundations, and businesses. This year’s March Campaign sponsors and major supporters are: General Mills Foundation, AgriBank / Farm Credit Bank, BlueCross BlueShield Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy, and Land O’Lakes, Inc.
If you would like to support the local Buffalo Food Shelf, food donations may be brought to church and dropped in the cart, and The Social Ministry Committee will deliver them to the food shelf.
Monetary donations are accepted and appreciated!
- By mail: PO Box 222, Buffalo, MN 55313
- Buffalo Foodshelf Website
- Buffalo Foodshelf PayPal Giving Fund
The more food and dollars donated to Buffalo Food Shelf during the March Campaign, the more “Food Fund” dollars they will receive from Minnesota FoodShare.
Tuesday, March 9, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Fare for All – South Parking Lot
- Contact
- Roger Brenny
- Grounds
- South Parking Lot
- Webpage
- Fare for All
Local Missions
Fare for All will be at Zion for a low-touch drive-through food distribution from 4-6pm.
There’s no pre-ordering or pre-registration and all are welcome. Fare for All is for anyone who would like to stretch their grocery dollar to buy discounted “food packs” containing fresh fruit and vegetables or an assortment of meats. There are not income or residency requirements. To fairly provide for as many as possible, quantities will be limited. A listing of all items that will be available for sale will be posted in the ZionBuffalo Community Care Facebook group as soon as they are available
For now, only credit, debit, or EBT payments are accepted (no cash). Distributions are currently operating on a limited basis using a “low-touch” drive-through model that makes transactions safer for everyone.
Distribution of the Fare for All food program began at Zion in 2015, and since then, people from Buffalo and many area communities have come to Zion to take advantage to buy quality meats and produce at prices 40% under retail. The Zion site has become the largest single Fare for All location in the number of items sold.
Wednesday, March 17, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Blessing Closet Diaper Distribution
- Contact
- Roger Brenny
- Webpage
- Blessing Closet Feature
Blessing Closet List
Local Missions
It is the role of Zion’s Social Ministry Committee to go out beyond the walls of Zion and respond to Zion’s vision of ‘creating a community where people are connected in relationships and supported in need.’ The Blessing Closet has identified another need in our community where it can expand its services to help clothe people in need and that is by providing diapers to children! The lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy remains a serious issue that impacts the physical, mental, and economic well-being of both children and families.
Starting in March, The Social Ministry Committee will implement a new program that will allow 52 families to sign up for diapers 4 times a year. Families in need of diapers may sign up for one box (averages a count from 125 to 160) per quarter which include sizes newborn, and 1 through 7. The distribution is by appointment only at the Blessing Closet storage garage on Wednesdays (monthly dates listed below) from 3-5pm.
- First quarter (March-April-May) will allow 12 families to pick up March 17, April 7, and April 28, and 16 families to pick up on May 26.
- Second quarter (June-July-August) will be set up in early May for 12 families to pick up on June 12, July 7, and July 28, and 16 families on August 16.
- Third and fourth quarter (Sept-Oct-Nov- Dec) for 2021 will be set up in August with similar monthly availability.
This new Diaper Distribution Program will provide over 200 boxes of diapers to families and be a contribution into the community of about $4,000 annually. None of this money will come from Zion’s General Fund, but funding will come from the congregation contributing to the special envelope received every month called ‘Local Missions’. The implementation of this program is attempting to help solve the tremendous struggle of cost that diapers put on families financially and emotionally.
Wednesday, April 7, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Blessing Closet Diaper Distribution
- Contact
- Roger Brenny
- Webpage
- Blessing Closet Feature
Blessing Closet List
Local Missions
It is the role of Zion’s Social Ministry Committee to go out beyond the walls of Zion and respond to Zion’s vision of ‘creating a community where people are connected in relationships and supported in need.’ The Blessing Closet has identified another need in our community where it can expand its services to help clothe people in need and that is by providing diapers to children! The lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy remains a serious issue that impacts the physical, mental, and economic well-being of both children and families.
Starting in March, The Social Ministry Committee will implement a new program that will allow 52 families to sign up for diapers 4 times a year. Families in need of diapers may sign up for one box (averages a count from 125 to 160) per quarter which include sizes newborn, and 1 through 7. The distribution is by appointment only at the Blessing Closet storage garage on Wednesdays (monthly dates listed below) from 3-5pm.
- First quarter (March-April-May) will allow 12 families to pick up March 17, April 7, and April 28, and 16 families to pick up on May 26.
- Second quarter (June-July-August) will be set up in early May for 12 families to pick up on June 12, July 7, and July 28, and 16 families on August 16.
- Third and fourth quarter (Sept-Oct-Nov- Dec) for 2021 will be set up in August with similar monthly availability.
This new Diaper Distribution Program will provide over 200 boxes of diapers to families and be a contribution into the community of about $4,000 annually. None of this money will come from Zion’s General Fund, but funding will come from the congregation contributing to the special envelope received every month called ‘Local Missions’. The implementation of this program is attempting to help solve the tremendous struggle of cost that diapers put on families financially and emotionally.
Tuesday, April 13, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Fare for All – South Parking Lot
- Contact
- Roger Brenny
- Grounds
- South Parking Lot
- Webpage
- Fare for All
Local Missions
Fare for All will be at Zion for a low-touch drive-through food distribution from 4-6pm.
There’s no pre-ordering or pre-registration and all are welcome. Fare for All is for anyone who would like to stretch their grocery dollar to buy discounted “food packs” containing fresh fruit and vegetables or an assortment of meats. There are not income or residency requirements. To fairly provide for as many as possible, quantities will be limited. A listing of all items that will be available for sale will be posted in the ZionBuffalo Community Care Facebook group as soon as they are available
For now, only credit, debit, or EBT payments are accepted (no cash). Distributions are currently operating on a limited basis using a “low-touch” drive-through model that makes transactions safer for everyone.
Distribution of the Fare for All food program began at Zion in 2015, and since then, people from Buffalo and many area communities have come to Zion to take advantage to buy quality meats and produce at prices 40% under retail. The Zion site has become the largest single Fare for All location in the number of items sold.
Wednesday, April 28, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Blessing Closet Diaper Distribution
- Contact
- Roger Brenny
- Webpage
- Blessing Closet Feature
Blessing Closet List
Local Missions
It is the role of Zion’s Social Ministry Committee to go out beyond the walls of Zion and respond to Zion’s vision of ‘creating a community where people are connected in relationships and supported in need.’ The Blessing Closet has identified another need in our community where it can expand its services to help clothe people in need and that is by providing diapers to children! The lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy remains a serious issue that impacts the physical, mental, and economic well-being of both children and families.
Starting in March, The Social Ministry Committee will implement a new program that will allow 52 families to sign up for diapers 4 times a year. Families in need of diapers may sign up for one box (averages a count from 125 to 160) per quarter which include sizes newborn, and 1 through 7. The distribution is by appointment only at the Blessing Closet storage garage on Wednesdays (monthly dates listed below) from 3-5pm.
- First quarter (March-April-May) will allow 12 families to pick up March 17, April 7, and April 28, and 16 families to pick up on May 26.
- Second quarter (June-July-August) will be set up in early May for 12 families to pick up on June 12, July 7, and July 28, and 16 families on August 16.
- Third and fourth quarter (Sept-Oct-Nov- Dec) for 2021 will be set up in August with similar monthly availability.
This new Diaper Distribution Program will provide over 200 boxes of diapers to families and be a contribution into the community of about $4,000 annually. None of this money will come from Zion’s General Fund, but funding will come from the congregation contributing to the special envelope received every month called ‘Local Missions’. The implementation of this program is attempting to help solve the tremendous struggle of cost that diapers put on families financially and emotionally.
Tuesday, May 11, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Fare for All – South Parking Lot
- Contact
- Roger Brenny
- Grounds
- South Parking Lot
- Webpage
- Fare for All
Local Missions
Fare for All will be at Zion for a low-touch drive-through food distribution from 4-6pm.
There’s no pre-ordering or pre-registration and all are welcome. Fare for All is for anyone who would like to stretch their grocery dollar to buy discounted “food packs” containing fresh fruit and vegetables or an assortment of meats. There are not income or residency requirements. To fairly provide for as many as possible, quantities will be limited. A listing of all items that will be available for sale will be posted in the ZionBuffalo Community Care Facebook group as soon as they are available
For now, only credit, debit, or EBT payments are accepted (no cash). Distributions are currently operating on a limited basis using a “low-touch” drive-through model that makes transactions safer for everyone.
Distribution of the Fare for All food program began at Zion in 2015, and since then, people from Buffalo and many area communities have come to Zion to take advantage to buy quality meats and produce at prices 40% under retail. The Zion site has become the largest single Fare for All location in the number of items sold.
Wednesday, May 26, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Blessing Closet Diaper Distribution
- Contact
- Roger Brenny
- Webpage
- Blessing Closet Feature
Blessing Closet List
Local Missions
It is the role of Zion’s Social Ministry Committee to go out beyond the walls of Zion and respond to Zion’s vision of ‘creating a community where people are connected in relationships and supported in need.’ The Blessing Closet has identified another need in our community where it can expand its services to help clothe people in need and that is by providing diapers to children! The lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy remains a serious issue that impacts the physical, mental, and economic well-being of both children and families.
Starting in March, The Social Ministry Committee will implement a new program that will allow 52 families to sign up for diapers 4 times a year. Families in need of diapers may sign up for one box (averages a count from 125 to 160) per quarter which include sizes newborn, and 1 through 7. The distribution is by appointment only at the Blessing Closet storage garage on Wednesdays (monthly dates listed below) from 3-5pm.
- First quarter (March-April-May) will allow 12 families to pick up March 17, April 7, and April 28, and 16 families to pick up on May 26.
- Second quarter (June-July-August) will be set up in early May for 12 families to pick up on June 12, July 7, and July 28, and 16 families on August 16.
- Third and fourth quarter (Sept-Oct-Nov- Dec) for 2021 will be set up in August with similar monthly availability.
This new Diaper Distribution Program will provide over 200 boxes of diapers to families and be a contribution into the community of about $4,000 annually. None of this money will come from Zion’s General Fund, but funding will come from the congregation contributing to the special envelope received every month called ‘Local Missions’. The implementation of this program is attempting to help solve the tremendous struggle of cost that diapers put on families financially and emotionally.
Recent Updates
Blessing Closet Changes
There will be changes to the operation of the Blessing Closet starting in 2021, returning to the original Blessing Closet Mission Statement from 2015 which is “to provide families in our community the opportunity to clothe their children.” Over the years the scope has broadened to include collecting and distributing large quantities of adult clothing, along with accepting many miscellaneous items. Emphasizes was on quantity rather than quality. Starting with the next distribution, we will concentrate our efforts on children’s clothing—including newborn, toddler, children up to size 16, and junior clothing ...moreLocal Missions in 2020
Despite the same challenges that everyone faced in 2020, Zion’s Social Ministry Team was able to continue to serve the local mission needs of the communities. The Social Ministry Team sponsors events at Zion and provides support for other events in the local area. According to Roger and Sandy Brenny, chairs of the Social Ministry leadership team, 773 volunteers (many of these are volunteers who served multiple times) donated 2186 total volunteer hours to causes such as Meals on Wheels, Fare For All, Coats For Kids, the Blessing Closet, Buffalo Food ...moreSocial Ministry Updates
The Blessing Closet The Blessing Closet is in a holding pattern while looking for solutions for a safe distribution! Donations are being accepted by appointment. If you have a donation, leave a message at 763.317.6052 and a volunteer will call you back with an appointment day and time for a no-contact drop off. Blessing Closet inventory is growing and we need to find a solution to serve people who are in need of clothes now and especially for the upcoming school year. We are hoping to have a plan in place by early ...more
Partners and Projects
Buffalo Food Shelf
The Buffalo Food Shelf is a Christian, non-profit, community-based organization serving people and families in Buffalo that receive limited financial assistance or are going through a crisis and need help feeding their family. Zion Supports the Food Shelf by collecting food items year-round in a food cart (usually located in the hallway nearest the Sanctuary), supplying Easter Baskets (a complete meal) to Food Shelf clients, providing volunteers at the Food Shelf, and providing facilities and volunteers to assemble and distribute special Food Shelf programs.
Love Inc Big Woods
Love INC Big Woods is a non-profit organization established to improve the overall health and wellness of people and families in the Wright County communities of Buffalo, Maple Lake, Annandale, and Hanover. Love INC connects clients with volunteers, gives referral phone numbers to other agencies and ministries in our area, and prays with each client. Zion Supports Love INC by hosting the Blessing Closet gap ministry, collecting and assembling school supplies, providing families with Christmas gifts, collecting goods and providing space for Coats for Kids and Adopt A Family, and providing financial assistance to individuals referred through the Love INC Clearinghouse.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels provides volunteers to deliver nutritious meals to people in the community to help them live independently. Zion supports Meals on Wheels by providing 3 drivers each day of June and November to deliver meals.
Veterans and Active Military
Zion supports veterans and active military by providing cards to help members show support and prayer to active military members, and collecting supplies for Christmas stockings to go to service personnel overseas.
American Red Cross Bloodmobile
The American Red Cross is the largest single supplier of life-saving blood and blood products to patients in times of emergency and disasters. Zion supports the American Red Cross by hosting blood drives.
Local Nursing Homes
Zion Supports Local Nursing Homes by recruiting volunteers to visit and spend time with residents, and providing regular devotions at nearby facilities.
Read to Feed the Mind
Read to Feed the Mind distributes children’s books to families through local food shelves. Zion supports Read to Feed the Mind by collecting books for distribution.
Timber Bay
Timber Bay is a Christian non-profit working to change attitudes and behavior in youth through a growing faith in Christ, and creating a sense of purpose in their lives. Zion supports Timber Bay by providing financial assistance and serving a meal to program participants.
