​

Holy Cross was a founding member of COOL Ministries (along with other area Lutheran churches) back in 1983, and we regularly support their efforts through food donations, financial gifts, and leadership. The COOL Plant Sale and Easter Bagskets are efforts that Holy Cross leads every spring to benefit COOL Ministries. 

 

COOL Ministries has been feeding our Lake County neighbors for four decades by providing emergency supplies of food designed to make nutritionally balanced meals for twelve meals over four days. Food pantry visitors may receive assistance once every 30 days until they no longer need services. In 2021, COOL Ministries distributed food to over 50,000 individuals (including many children), equating to more than 600,000 meals.

 

In addition to their hunger ministry, COOL Ministries operates a transitional housing ministry to assist homeless families, as well as a veterans assistance program serving over 130 veterans per month.

PADS of Lake County serve about 400 individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity. Over half of these clients are below the age of 18.

​

Holy Cross provides 50 warm individually packaged meals to the Super 8 Motel in Mundelein every 2nd and 5th Mondays of the month. We are also supporting and stocking the PADS pantry being housed at First Presbyterian in Libertyville. 

Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a Christian nonprofit that works with worldwide food distribution partners, staying with communities for the long haul and empowering them to move from relief to development.

 

Meal ingredients are purchased through donations and packed into nutritious meals specifically designed to assist in reversing and preventing undernutrition. Kids (aged 5 and above) and adults volunteer to hand-pack meals. Packed meals are distributed to FMSC food partners to feed kids and save lives.