Fund raising gala plans underway in Dallas County

Volunteers with Waukee Area Christian Services (WACS) are making plans for their third annual fund raising gala in late April. Proceeds from the gala will help address the organization’s growing needs in Dallas County. This year’s goal is $50,000.

The “Creating Connections” gala is scheduled for Friday evening, April 26, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee. A social hour begins at 6 p.m. with the plated dinner served at 7 p.m. The evening will include a silent and live auction, entertainment and a presentation on the organization’s services.

Details on Waukee Area Christian Services and their upcoming gala are available at https://waukeechristianservices.org/gala/. Gala tickets can be purchased on the website.

Founded in 2005, Waukee Area Christian Services serves Dallas County with a food pantry, a free medical clinic, a community garden and client advocate services.

“One out of ten Dallas County families is food insecure,” explained Melissa Stimple, director the Waukee Area Christian Services. “Some folks are surprised by that number but poverty is real here in the western suburbs and all of Dallas County and we are working hard to help meet the immediate needs of our disadvantaged neighbors not only with food, but with other support as well.”

Stimple said that WACS saw 2,133 visits to the food pantry in 2018 and 246 persons visited the medical free clinic.

Waukee Area Christian Services is an outreach of eight Waukee area churches including Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church of Hope – Waukee, St. Boniface Catholic Church, Waukee Christian Church, Waukee Community Church, Waukee United Methodist Church, Westview Church and Westwind Church.

The organization’s offices, food pantry and clinic are housed in the lower level of Westview Church.