Outreach Missions
Local and global missions supported by Olivet.
Olivet Food Pantry
Olivet Lutheran Church opened a food pantry in the fall of 2017 and has been serving the Fargo-Moorhead community ever since. This ministry is guided by oversight from Pastor Bill Boelter, along with volunteers who provide service and the distribution of food each month. The food items stocked in the pantry are all donated by community members and local food distributors. As a partner of the Great Plains Food Bank, we are able to stretch monetary donations further by purchasing food from the Food Bank at a subsidized cost. On average, Olivet’s food pantry serves 200 individuals each month, which is equivalent to 2,000 pounds of food! Volunteers are needed on the 3rd Sunday of the month to help with packing food boxes, food bags, and any other tasks that might be needed. If you would like to learn more about this ministry or volunteer to serve, please contact Roger Larson at foodpantry@olivet.org or simply call the church office.
MINISTRY PARTNERS
Churches United for the Homeless was established in 1987 by a group of local churches. Now Churches United is supported by over 66 member congregations, including Olivet Lutheran Church. They seek to serve the homeless population by providing safe shelter, stable housing, and nutritional food, to allow for a path toward healing. Churches United encompasses services provided by Bright Sky Apartments, Dorothy Day Food Pantry (Moorhead and West Fargo), Dorothy Day House, and Micah’s Mission.
Olivet supports Churches United with financial donations and engages in volunteer outreach opportunities. If you would like to learn more, please contact Bev Gravdahl, Director of Health & Outreach Ministries, at bgravdahl@olivet.org. You will be connected with opportunities and ways you can serve this important ministry in our community.
For more information about Churches United click HERE
Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity (LAHFH) is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities, and hope. They partner with local businesses, churches, and volunteers to help build homes for qualifying families. Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses. Volunteer opportunities range from construction expertise to serving meals and snacks.
Olivet supports Churches United with financial donations and engages in volunteer outreach opportunities. If you would like to learn more, please reach out to Bev Gravdahl, Director of Health & Outreach Ministries, at bgravdahl@olivet.org. You will be connected with opportunities and ways you can serve this important ministry in our community.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity click HERE
What started as one community garden with eight families and a few volunteers from Olivet Lutheran Church has now grown to six gardens with over 150 families and many volunteers participating. In 2015, this group produced over 45,000 pounds of garden produce. Our Growing Together Garden tool kit has helped many organizations in our community start their own gardens.
For more information about Growing Together Community Gardens click HERE
Golden Drive Homeless Kids is a 100% non-profit organization. Its mission is to raise awareness of the homelessness crisis that the children in our community are experiencing. Sue Baron, Golden Drive’s founder, states “I started this with one simple coloring crayon. One day I just picked up a crayon and put it in my apron and the thought was to save crayons and buy some coloring books and drop them off at a shelter. It was then that I knew it’s not that people don’t care it’s that people don’t know."
To support Golden Drive’s efforts, Olivet partners with this organization throughout the year by participating in collection drives and helping raise awareness of needs in our community. The items donated at various events are delivered to area homeless shelters, YouthWorks, and schools.
Since 1982, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River has been keeping families close to their critically ill children receiving medical care in the Fargo area. They provide much more than a bed to sleep in by meeting the unique needs of each family; with love and support from giving volunteers, caring staff, and guest families who understand what they are going through. Home-cooked meals, play areas, laundry facilities, computers, and much more are also provided so families can concentrate on what is most important. Their home is truly a “home away from home” for families who must travel to receive the critical care that their children need.
Whether you are looking for a one-time or recurring volunteer experience, we have many options for you to share your time and skills with families. Contact Bev Gravdahl, Director of Health & Outreach Ministries, at bgravdahl@olivet.org.
For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities click HERE
HERO (Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization) is a nonprofit organization that has been serving our community for over 25 years. HERO collects and redistributes donated healthcare equipment and supplies to serve those in need at an affordable cost. Their outreach benefits people both locally and globally. The services that HERO provides also help the environment with the promotion of recycling through the redistribution of items.
Olivet’s partnership with HERO allows those in need of medical supplies or equipment access to a variety of items that may be needed either long-term or short-term. If you are in need of an item or are interested in becoming part of their volunteer team, please contact Bev Gravdahl, Director of Health & Outreach Ministries, at bgravdahl@olivet.org.
For more information about HERO click HERE
Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry (LPGM) envisions a world where relationships transform boundaries and where all people have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. LPGM provides access to quality education for people at the margins–especially women and girls by working together with global partners to listen, respond, and bear witness to local needs and priorities
Video Playlist from Pastor Dan Ruth
For more information about LPGM click HERE
Companion synod relationships of the ELCA connect Lutheran churches throughout the world with ELCA synods and congregations. These relationships are concrete expressions of communion and fellowship with the more than 140 Lutheran member churches of The Lutheran World Federation. Through the program, companion churches and ELCA synods nurture and strengthen one another for life and ministry through prayer, study, communication, exchange of visitors, and sharing of resources.
In November 2023, Eastern ND Synod Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth visited the Central African Republic to help celebrate with our Lutheran siblings their Centennial as a church. During her travels, she journaled and took pictures of the events. To read more about her trip and the ELC-CAR click HERE to read her Blog.
For more information about the Eastern ND Companion Synod's partnership with the ELC-CAR and to meet the missionaries click HERE
The New Life Center is a Christian multi-faceted emergency and crisis service center, serving men 18 years and older. Some of the services they offer include emergency shelter, meals, case management, medical respite, and the Genesis program, an in-house relapse prevention program where participants learn to develop new coping tools, health relationships, personal accountability, spiritual growth, and community. Real change happens at the New Life Center. Your support can help men move from homelessness and hurting to being whole and healthy.
If you would like to invest in this mission please contact Bev Gravdahl, Director of Health & Outreach Ministries, at bgravdahl@olivet.org.
For more information about the New Life Center click HERE
Heart-n-Soul Community Café, a proud member of One World Everybody Eats, helps neighbors share a meal in order to foster a tight-knit Fargo-Moorhead community. Heart-n-Soul's mission is to partner with the community to eliminate hunger and food insecurity by serving local, healthy, delicious meals to everyone with dignity and respect. All are welcome, no matter their economic status, and customers have the option of either paying what they can, paying a suggested amount, paying it forward by helping another who may not be able to pay, or volunteering at the café.
For more information about Heart-n-Soul Community Café click HERE
Fargo Elim provides quality, compassionate, and innovative senior healthcare and housing, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for elders by offering skilled nursing care, rehabilitation therapies, and assisted living services. Elim's mission is to serve all those who need to be served.
Located in South Fargo, Elim's living community combines warmth and hospitality with the expertise of caring professionals. Well-designed apartments and suites, emergency call systems, delicious meals, scheduled transportation, lounges, sunrooms, beauty salon/barber shop, outdoor patios and gardens, and a full calendar of clubs, classes, and events are just a few of the amenities. The center also features a full range of skilled nursing care, including short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, hospice care, and spiritual care.
If you would like to invest in this mission please contact Bev Gravdahl, Director of Health & Outreach Ministries, at bgravdahl@olivet.org.
For more information about Fargo Elim click HERE