LAPLACE – At a recent Lutheran Church of the Galilean council meeting it was approved to use the congregation’s Thrivent “Choice Dollars” to fund new community outreach programs. The first of these outreach programs was inspired by the congregation’s ongoing program to provide used books to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc. 

It was recently proposed and approved to provide new, large

print Bibles to the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve. After contacting the veterans facility, the congregation proceeded to purchase 192 large print Bibles for the facility.

A large group of the congregation’s members visited the veterans home to dedicate and distribute the Bibles. The members provided refreshments for the veterans, visited with them and personally delivered to each room a Bible for each client.

Besides the congregation in attendance at this event, the local Thrivent Financial For Lutherans representatives and office staff from the Kenner office were there with their new “Treat Trolley.” They

provided popcorn for all the attendees.

The Lutheran Church of the Galilean was so fortunate following Hurricane Katrina to receive financial help from more than 30 different congregations throughout the United States. The congregation is now in a position to use its “Choice Dollars” to create programs of this type for their community and give back. 

As the country’s largest fraternal benefit society, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans does much more than offer financial services. It offers programs and outreach opportunities where members can connect with each other, learn new things and help their communities and congregations.  

One thing that makes Thrivent Financial for Lutherans unique is its chapters. The chapter system is a way for members to help themselves and others through volunteering, educational events and social activities. Each member belongs to one of the nearly 1,400 local chapters around the country.

Eligible Thrivent benefit members 16 and older are designated a certain number of Thrivent Choice Dollars, based on their insurance premiums, contract values and Thrivent Financial volunteer leadership. They direct Thrivent Choice Dollars to those organizations or churches enrolled in the program. In addition, all members 16 and older can participate in other Thrivent Choice Voting Events, which determine how $1 million is distributed among a short list of charitable organizations.