Lutheran Family and Children�s Services Celebrates Milestone Anniversary with Season of Sharing Gift Drive and Donation Match Opportunity

Cape Girardeau, MO�Lutheran Family and Children�s Services of Missouri (LFCS) is collecting donations throughout the state to not only create a memorable Christmas for Missouri foster children, but to also meet basic needs for the thousands of families served all year long. More than 1,500 Christmas wishes fill Season of Sharing ornaments and a goal of $15,000 has been set to support ongoing needs for families; both numbers a nod to 2018 being LCFS�s 150th year in operation.

The community is invited to drop off gift cards, diapers/wipes, formula, or unopened and unwrapped toys at LCFS offices throughout the state, including:

� 9666 Olive Boulevard, Suite 400, St. Louis, Missouri 63132

� 307 Locust St, Columbia, MO 65201

� 3178 Blattner Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

� 2130 N. Glenstone Avenue, Springfield, MO 65803

� 15 South Oak, Union, Missouri 63084

Donations for Christmas wishes must be received by December 10, 2018 so LFCS staff have time to shop and distribute gifts before the holiday.

�Gift card donations are especially critical,� says Mike Duggar, President & CEO of LFCS. �They allow us to make sure every wish is fulfilled for foster kids ranging in age from 0-19 and are used to supplement emergency needs through the year.�

Helping to make it all possible, a generous donor has offered to match all monetary gifts through December 31. These donations benefit LFCS clients in the following ways:

� $600 provides 10 infant car seats

� $300 reimburses a foster family for one month of fostering a child

� $150 pays for a month of formula

� $75 helps purchase a baby bed

� $25 provides a week�s worth of diapers

�The theme of 2018 is �Promise� based on the promise our founder, Rev. Johann Buenger, made 150 years ago to find care for a 10-year old boy. The Season of Sharing campaign is one of the many ways we uphold the promise Rev. Buenger made 150 years ago,� says Duggar. �Although LFCS has made progressive program changes over its history in order to meet evolving needs, we remain committed to making generations of children and families across Missouri safer and stronger together.�

The services provided by LFCS are open to all regardless of race, faith, national origin, gender or age. Although Lutheran based, more than 80 percent of families served are non-Lutheran. In addition to the Season of Sharing effort, baby items are collected and used throughout year and online donations can be made at any time at lfcsmo.org/donate-now.

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About Lutheran Family and Children�s Services (LFCS)

LFCS, a proud member of the United Way, is a statewide agency with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, five regional offices, and numerous satellite counseling sites. LFCS serves children and families in their greatest times of need. Services are open to anyone regardless of race, faith, national origin, gender, or age. As a nonprofit social services organization, its goal is to open doors for people who are challenged by poverty, unexpected pregnancy, violence, divorce, unemployment, illness, homelessness, and more. LFCS provides two key areas of support to tackle these challenges: Families Services and Behavioral Health & Community Prevention Services. The programs offered through each of these areas empower children and families to overcome challenges today so they can build a better tomorrow. LFCS staff deliver professionalism and personal care in equal measure to every situation and each client who visits one of the five offices around the state of Missouri. Everything LFCS does integrates with the community to enrich and heal the lives of those served. For more information, call 314-754-2785 or visit lfcsmo.org.