Scroll to top Scroll to bottom

CTSFW

Concordia Theological Seminary – Fort Wayne, IN

CTSFW

Concordia Theological Seminary – Fort Wayne, IN

Make an Impact

Consider making a monetary gift to the Food & Clothing Co-ops at CTSFW

CTSFW Food & Clothing Co-ops

The Co-op is available to students enrolled in classes leading to ordination in the holy ministry or certification as a deaconess. Food, clothing, and household items are available at no financial cost to the students. Students register and volunteer time for the privilege of use. All monetary gifts given to the Co-op for food items are restricted to the purchase of grocery items on the shelves of the Food Co-op.

Connect with Us

Deac. Katherine Rittner

Director of Food & Clothing Co-op
CTSFW Tours Coordinator
Event Housing Coordinator

Phone: (260) 452-2168
Email: Katherine.Rittner@ctsfw.edu
Email Katherine Rittner

Co-op Hours

The Food Co-op is staffed and open from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Clothing Co-op is open for receiving donations Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. only. All items must be bagged or boxed for safety reasons. Please come in to deliver or ask for assistance if help is needed. One of our staff will gladly bring out a bin and a receipt for you.

Facilities

There are two facilities on the campus that house the Co-op.

The Food Co-op is located in the lower level of the Student Commons. It is set up with shelves, freezers, and coolers to hold perishable and non-perishable items. Paper products, cleaning supplies, and diapers are also available. The Food Co-op follows the guidelines of the Allen County Department of Health as required for our permit to operate. This guarantees the proper storage and display of the food items. Many students report that 75-85% of their grocery needs are met at this facility. In exchange for monthly volunteer time, students may shop one day per week.

The Clothing Co-op is located in Spiegel Hall, which is a former dormitory building on the north side of the campus. Men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing plus household items, including furniture and appliances, can be available. Students shop at their own discretion for their family needs. No money or vouchers of any kind are needed. Students may shop six days per week in this facility.

Services

  • Over-the-counter medications are available.
  • School supplies are available in August each year.
  • Layettes of new baby items are given to each family with a new infant.
  • Donated gift cards are distributed at Christmas to students.
  • Handmade quilts, given by quilting groups from around the Synod at Christmas, are also distributed to students.

The Co-op relies solely on the generous donations of individuals, congregations, and organizations. Most students live on a very limited income while preparing to serve the Church. These facilities are truly a blessing to the students and their family members.

Clothing Co-op Needs

The Clothing Co-op accepts gently used and new (with the tag) items of clothing, housewares, microwaves, small kitchen appliances, dishes, knick-knacks, furniture, and other items. We strive to meet the needs of our students and their families during their time at CTSFW at no cost to them. When donating clothing, keep this rule of thumb in mind: If it is something you would want to see on your pastor and his family, bring it to us. We are unable to accept TVs, computer towers, laptops, or tablets.

As a gift to our students who welcome a new baby, the Clothing Co-op gifts a layette box with new items including size Newborn to 4T onesies, socks, bottles, baby books, rattles, toys, stuffed animals, snow suits, holiday outfits, hair bows, shorts, shirts, pants, dresses, etc. In addition, each baby receives a handmade quilt and at times hand crocheted blankets, sweaters, hats, booties, or car seat covers.

Food Co-op Donation Ideas

The needs of the Food Co-op change from week to week. Below is a non-inclusive list of needs and ideas for our shelves:

Breakfast Bag
Suggestions:
Cereal
Oatmeal
Pop Tarts
Breakfast Bars
Hot Chocolate
Juice
Muffin Mix
Pancake Mix
Syrup
Coffee/Tea
Canned Fruits
Applesauce
Sauces Bag
Suggestions:
Ketchup
Mustard
Mayo
BBQ Sauce
Soy Sauce
Worcestershire Sauce
Salad Dressing
Hot Sauce
Pancake Syrup
Dinner Bag
Suggestions:
Spaghetti Sauce
Pasta
Canned Fruits
Tuna
Sloppy Joe Sauce
Taco Meals
Refried Beans
Boxed Meals
Canned Tomatoes
Rice
Macaroni & Cheese
Chili Mixes
Kidney Beans
Garbanzo Beans
Laundry Bag
Suggestions:
Liquid Laundry Detergent
Laundry Pods
(Regular/Free & Clear)
Fabric Softener
Bleach
Non-chlorine Bleach
Dryer Sheets
(Regular/Free & Clear)
Stain Pre-treater
Spray Starch
Baking Bag
Suggestions:
Aluminum Foil
Plastic Wrap
Cake Mixes
Icing
Brownie Mix
Cupcake Wrappers
Non-stick Cooking Spray
Vegetable Oil
Sugar
Flour
Brown Sugar
Salt/Pepper
Seasoning (Garlic, Italian, etc.)
Bread Crumbs
Corn Starch
Karo Syrup
Cleaning Supplies
Suggestions:
Paper Towels
Rubber Gloves
Trash Bags
Pine Cleaner
Bleach
Furniture Polish
Window Cleaner
Powder Cleaner (Comet)
Scouring Pads
Liquid Dish Soap
Dishwasher Pods
Lunch Box Bag
Suggestions:
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Ziplock Bags
Canned Soups
Canned Pasta Meals
Fruit Cups
Crackers
Tuna
Snack-size Snacks
Applesauce
Raisins
Pudding Cups
Snack-time Bag
Suggestions:
Goldfish
Snack-size Chips
Graham Crackers
Fruit Snacks
Pretzels
Nilla Wafers
Cheese-its
Tortilla Chips
Salsa
Chips
Chip Dip
Applesauce
Baby Bag
Suggestions:
Diapers
Baby Formula
Q-Tips/Cotton Balls
Tear-free Shampoo
Tear-free Baby Bath
Ointment (A&D; Desitin)
Juice
Baby Cereal
Baby Food
Wet Wipes
Nursing Pads

Co-op Brochure

If you cannot see the brochure below, please click here to VIEW or click here to DOWNLOAD.

Christmas Marketplace

Each Christmas the CTSFW community rallies together to bless the Seminary students and their families through generous offerings of gifts, food and fun for the entire family. You can learn more by reading the brochure below.

If you cannot see the brochure below, please click here to VIEW or click here to DOWNLOAD.