LWML SWD  Grants

Westfield is the location of the Wisconsin branch of Orphan Grain Train.This is an organization that ships containers of humanitarian needs to both the US and countries around the world. Although they are providing physical needs to those suffering here and abroad, they also hope to open doors  to offer spiritual support wherever possible. Items shipped include clothes, food, medical supplies and equipment and healthcare items. This last year the WI branch of OGT has sent 13 containers to 9 different countries and 31 semi-trailer loads to various locations in the US. Shipping costs vary from $6,000 to $20,000 per container. This grant will assist with the cost of the shipping containers since the branch’s operating costs come entirely from grants and donors.

The need for pastors, teachers and other professional church workers is critical to serve the church at large and in the mission field. The South Wisconsin District is committed to furthering the education of our future professional church workers. The annual expense at a Synodical university is $54,000 and at a Synodical seminary is $57,000. This grant would assist students who are attending one of the synodical universities/seminaries with funds to be used for tuition and board.

Lutheran Counseling and Family Services ministers to children, individuals and families who need the peace of Jesus to overcome mental health challenges through compassionate Christ-centered counseling. The Covid epidemic caused a dramatic increase in youth mental health crises especially girls, children of minority races and those in lower income families. Guided by Christ’s love, LCFS serves all people, particularly the underserved or economically disadvantaged. This grant would help fund Making Mental Health for Children, increasingly timely access to godly care regardless of financial barriers.

Journey’s Lutheran School continues to embrace students in grades 3-12 with special needs and unique learning challenges. The school was devastated by flooding in August, 2025 which caused nearly $1 million in damage. One of the hardest hit areas was the kitchen and cafeteria. The kitchen is essential for the staff’s ability to serve nourishing meals to the students. The funds from this grant will be used to help the school renovate and restore the kitchen, purchase new freezers, refrigerators and a dishwasher.

A Place of Refuge has served women and children in crisis situations with the help they need for over 25 years. It started with a safe place for women in crisis pregnancies to stay through birth and beyond. Now, the Advocacy Ministry arm of A Place of Refuge distributes items to families in need who call their hotline. The diapers, clothing and other supplies are currently stored in two bedrooms of the refuge house. They’d like to free up this space for moms at the house and also make it easier to access these supplies. The funds from this grant would be used to convert a garage workshop into the supply room for Advocacy. The cost would include an HVAC system.

The Food and Clothing Co-op at Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne works to encourage and financially support the seminary students through its program of providing food, clothing and household items at no cost to them. Many have left jobs and come with families, so they no longer have the same cash flow. Students volunteer service time for the privilege of shopping with the co-op meeting 70-95% of their needs. This grant will be used specifically for the weekly purchase of milk, eggs, produce, diapers, wipes, paper products and other non-perishable items to fill the shelves.

Bethany  Lutheran Church in Milwaukee has been an unwavering beacon of hope and faith in their urban neighborhood, which faces numerous social and economic challenges. They had a ministry that addresses both spiritual and tangible needs of their neighbors. Their fellowship room is the main area for their outreach ministries including the Community Meal and the Food Pantry. This grant will ensure the continuation of God’s work in ministries that include: emergency “211” food, Mercy Ministry, Bible classes, Confirmation classes and serving the homeless. In addition, all of the outreach programs at Bethany are ongoing to assist in the mission to reach the community for Christ.

Lutheran Early Response Team  (LERT) is a ministry of the LCMS. This St. Paul's team deploys 3 times nationally, with usually multiple week deployments, and 10 times locally per year to natural disasters. When a natural disaster occurs, it devastates communities. Oftentimes, local and national aid are not enough and the work of LERT is greatly needed and appreciated. While their work is focused on caring for the immediate needs of those impacted by natural disasters, this also opens the opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those they are helping.

These funds will be used to purchase a trailer and disaster relief equipment to enable the St. Paul LERT ministry to quickly deploy necessary supplies to those in need.

Chaplains serve in some of the most difficult ministry contexts imaginable: combat zones, isolated bases and deployments at sea. Chaplain wives face the dual challenge of military

Life and church-worker isolation, often without strong peer networks. Participation in the retreat provides encouragement, self-care training, and Christ-centered fellowship with others who share their unique calling. Since government allowances do not cover spouse travel or per diem, this grant funding will help make their attendance possible.

The seminary is preparing to build a new and improved food and clothing co-op building to provide for the needs of students and families. This building will significantly enhance CTSFW’s support of students and their families. Their current freezers/refrigerators are starting to fail and need replacement. Also, the larger freezer will allow for purchasing in bulk and/or receiving large donations. This grant will allow them to purchase a walk-in cooler/freezer to hold generous donations of fresh food and meat.