Metro Lutheran Ministry’s 50th Anniversary Gala took place on the Mazuma Plaza of Children’s Mercy Park- Sporting Kansas City. This beautiful evening started with wonderful weather, a champagne greeting and passed hors d’oeuvres for each guests. Event attendees mingled and enjoyed the cocktail hour and yard games such as Big Jenga and Bag Toss or gathered to “ooh” and “ahh” over the 85 items offered for bid in the Silent Auction. A personally autographed Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs helmet was highly sought after along with an Oculus Quest 2 VR Headset courtesy of Hawthorn Bank.
Dave Anderson, President of Metro Lutheran Ministry Board of Directors, gave a heartfelt welcome to nearly 400 guests that attended. Driven by the vision to love justice, do kindness, and walk humbly with God, MLM has helped lift vulnerable families out of poverty and bring them hope for over 50 years!
Executive Director of Metro Lutheran Ministry, Scott Cooper, recapped the crazy year that 2020 was and how MLM stepped up to the challenges that came along with it. MLM focuses on 3 areas: Immediate Needs, Counseling and Housing. Immediate needs include 3 food pantries that are open 5 days a week.
In addition to food, MLM provides medical assistance, dental assistance, furniture, rent and utility assistance. Nearly 57,000 people were served in 2020 and MLM gave away $1.6 million in rent and utility assistance.
Metro Lutheran Ministry was proud to honor Jim and Susan Wright, the visionaries of Eileen’s Place.
This annual Gala was truly an event to celebrate MLM and all of our volunteers, community partners and sponsors. Thank you to North American Savings Bank, Velocity Pump A Cogent Company, Lamvera Partners, Grata Development, Mitchell Capital and many other sponsors and donors that make Metro Lutheran Ministry possible.