When longtime ICA supporters Lorri Buuck, Carol Allis, Sherry Niles and Margie Swanson of Applewood Pointe Minnetonka started a fundraiser for ICA Food Shelf in March 2021, they never imagined it would turn into something so much bigger. It all began with the help of Thrivent, a holistic financial services and membership-owned fraternal organization, through their Thrivent Action Team program. The Thrivent Action Team program allows for Thrivent members to apply for $250 in seed money for a fundraiser, educational event or service activity.
“The hardest part is starting,” says Lorri. “You don’t have to have a big team.”
After submitting her proposal for the ICA fundraiser to Thrivent’s Action Team program, Lorri was approved and given $250 in seed money to begin. With the seed money, the team purchased 180 pounds of food as a first round of donations to take to the food shelf.
“Lorri was the catalyst for the fundraiser,” says Carol. “This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for Lorri, creating the spark and getting the seed money from Thrivent.”
Thanks to the support of other residents at Applewood Pointe, a retirement community with a strong culture of volunteerism and community engagement, that $250 sparked a total of 582 pounds of food and $3,105 donated to ICA, far greater than the original goal of $1,000. The team kept raising the bar as their community at Applewood Pointe continued to show up for ICA.
“Applewood Pointe is such a giving community. During the pandemic, it was hard not being able to go out and do the very thing we do best, volunteer!” says Carol. “People were frustrated, and this was something they could do [to help].”
Not only did Lorri, Carol, Sherry and Margie raise funds and donate food to ICA, they also found that raising awareness was just as important to ICA’s mission.
People started talking to Lorri and asking questions, and so she started educating people on what ICA does. “We have 141 people [at Applewood] but not everyone knew about all the different services [ICA] provides,” says Lorri.
Fortunately, with increased community need has come increased generosity. Lorri explains, “My husband and I felt it was really necessary for us to make a difference in our community over and above what we had already been giving after this last year, when so many people were and still are hurting. I had hoped the Thrivent Action Team would help get members here at Applewood more involved and it sure did! We are so grateful!”
ICA, too, is so grateful for supporters like Lorri, Carol, Sherry and Margie. Please join them in making a donation today to continue this important work.