Freemason - Winter 2023

MASONIC HOME of Missouri A Big Thanks

The Masonic Home of Missouri expresses gratitude to the Order of the Eastern Star for their continued support of Outreach Programs.

The Missouri Order of the Eastern Star is a valued partner with the Masonic Home of Missouri. It is not a singular act that makes them so important. Rather, it is the constant support in various ways throughout the year that makes this relationship so special.

Worthy Grand Matron Jerry Longnecker (2021-2022) was a wonderful advocate for the Masonic Home throughout her year. The Masonic Home of Missouri was one of her charities for the year. Prior to becoming Worthy Grand Matron, she learned that the Masonic Home provided funds to the children in the Children’s Outreach Program at Christmastime. This inspired her to sell a pin during her year with the proceeds specifically going to help fund those holiday gifts.

WGM Longnecker ended her year supporting the Masonic Home, graciously welcoming the Masonic Home staff to have a booth and speak at the Order of the Eastern Star’s Annual Session held this year in Springfield, Missouri.

Barbara Ramsey, Executive Director of the Masonic Home, took the opportunity to say — THANK YOU! In addition, she read the names of three Chapters for achieving a new level in the Vincil Society, which is a society that recognizes lodges, chapters and other organizations for their cumulative giving to the Masonic Home . . .

Bronze level: ($500-$2,499 Cumulative)

• Boone Chapter #290

• Hanson Chapter #22

• Swope Park Chapter #520

Leadership is always a key ingredient in a successful relationship.

Another important aspect of the partnership between the two organizations is the CreatingA-Partnership Program. The Masonic Home and Chapters throughout the state came together this past year to help thousands of children in their communities. The Masonic Home recognized four Chapters for reaching new milestones of participation in this program . . .

10 years or more:

• Sullivan Chapter #105

5 years or more:

• Naomi Chapter #296

• Puxico Chapter #422

• Riverview Chapter #315

While the Masonic Home was there to say thank you and share a few words about the Masonic Home’s Outreach Programs, WGM Longnecker was not done showing her support. She presented the Masonic Home with a check of funds gathered throughout the year, and Grand Secretary Debbie Olds, along with WGM Longnecker, shared that total — $20,037.23.

In just one year, the Missouri Order of the Eastern Star raised $20,037.23 in support of the Outreach Programs! Those funds will all be used toward the assistance of those in need. The Masonic Home again says thank you to all the OES Chapters that are participating in the Creating-A-Partnership Program, providing the care packages to Outreach clients, and hosting Veterans Flag Presentations. We thank you for your continued financial support of the Masonic Home to fund the Outreach Programs.

Together we accomplish great things all across the State of Missouri!

Ways to Give in 2023

All the various ways you can support Masonic Home throughout 2023.

DOUBLE IMPACT

Matching Gifts

Partnership Programs

Annual

OPTIONS

• Set up a Recurring Gift

• Become a Truman Club Member

SPONSORSHIP

Sponsor an Event RETAIL

Amazon Dillons

April — June

Spring Campaign May

Golf Tournament

MAJOR GIFTS

Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA

Donor Advised Funds

Community Foundations

September

Truman Club Dinner

November — December

Penny-A-Day

Hope for the Holidays

ONLINE CAMPAIGNS

Truman Campaign May

Giving Tuesday Nov

Donate Online Anytime!

MEMORIAL Courtyard Paver

Memorial Gift

PLANNED GIVING

Charitable Gift Annuity

Charitable Trusts

Gifts of Life Insurance Bequests

Stocks & Securities

For more information on any of the above, contact Jackie Walters, Sr. Engagement & Major Gifts Officer, at jwalters@mohome.org.

Visit mohome.org/support to learn more about how you can support the Masonic Home.

The End of Free School Lunches

The winter 2018 issue of the Masonic Outreach magazine brought to light an issue plaguing families and schools across Missouri — school lunch debt. This problem particularly comes to light for families that have incomes too high to qualify for free or reduced lunches but are still struggling financially.

An unexpected side effect of the pandemic was the elimination of this problem. Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to help children maintain access to meals during the widespread closure of schools. The bill provided flexibility to schools to distribute meals while also making school meals temporarily free for all students.

When the program was set to end in June, Congress extended the program through the summer in the Keep Kids Fed Act. However, this ended in the fall.

The end of universal free school meal waivers came at a time of rocketing food prices. The USDA estimates that food prices are about 10% higher this year over last, and it will likely increase another 5% to 6% this year. Families are once again struggling.

Why are we returning children in our schools to food insecurity? This is a question that many states are asking, and there are bills being proposed, including in Missouri, to address this question. But in the meantime, we are back to the food insecurity issues that plagued us before the pandemic, along with past due school lunch balances.

The Masonic Home’s Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program can help with this issue, as it did pre-pandemic. Lodges and Chapters can reach out to their local schools to see if this is a problem in their community. If yes, this is a great opportunity for us to partner together to reduce or eliminate this burden off of schools and families.

The Masonic Home extended its increased match this year, so for every dollar a Lodge or Chapter contributes, the Masonic Home will match with two dollars. There is the potential for $45,000 in Lodge/ Chapter funds and the matched Masonic Home funds to go back into your community to help solve this problem.

Freemasonry in Missouri has the ability to step into communities to help our children. There is no question of our support for education and for the children in our communities — it just makes sense to come together once again to provide assistance for those in need.

Creating-A-Partnership

successful

If you are interested in using the CAP program to pay down student lunch debt in your community, learn more or apply by one of these easy steps:

SCAN the QR code.

CONTACT your Masonic Home Representative

EMAIL the Masonic Home’s Partnership Programs Coordinator

Tisha Woodard: twoodard@mohome.org

VISIT Masonic Home’s website: mohome.org

We are proud to continue this

program for your communities.

Funds raised benefit the Masonic Home’s matching gift programs: Creating-A-Partnership and Partnering To Honor

Over 34,674 children and veterans were impacted during FY 2022 through these programs.

Team & individual registration is now open. Scan the QR code or visit mohome.org/support/special-events/golf-tournament to learn more or to register. Contact Jackie Walters at jwalters@mohome.org or 800.434.9804 for questions or to sign up for sponsorships.

Registration deadline is May 5th.