History CES began in 1971 when prominent Twin Cities businessman, Russell Lund, approached Augustana Lutheran Church in Minneapolis to enhance its Crossroads social service outreach with a more pronounced Christian facet of crisis response aid. In June 1971, Lund visited Pastor Berg’s office at Augustana Lutheran Church. He had heard of its extensive Crossroads ministry in the inner city community and inquired about the possibility of getting food and cash gifts directly to persons in need through this outreach. He was aware of thousands of Caucasian, African American, and Native Americans living in poverty in the inner city. He was also aware that many of these people experienced frustration trying to get help through a maze of agencies. Lund approached the church because, though he had given to social-service agencies for years, he was looking for a new “hand and heart,” person-to-person way to help needy people. After Pastor Berg and Lund met, they inaugurated CES. During the three-month summer experiment, 300 people received not only food and financial help but also counseling and referral service in 750 sessions conducted by a three-member staff. Lund’s original gift of $5,600 in 1971 grew into a total contribution of over $500,000 over the next 15 years. He often expressed the hope that his gifts would serve both as seed-money and as an inspiration for others to give. When Lund’s health failed and he was no longer able to support the ministry, this hope was fulfilled as many rose up in his place to meet the need. The original CES director, John Bohnsack, was a senior at Luther-Northwestern seminary in St. Paul when he took responsibility for the enhanced ministry. He and his wife Barbara were serving on the Augustana staff. That first summer, they were joined by other competent and committed staff members who helped make the launch successful. Lund was so deeply impressed with the way the staff had fulfilled his highest expectations that he gave the Bohnsacks and another summer staff person an expense-paid trip to Israel. In addition to the generous support of philanthropists like Lund, the Augustana Church Council provided facilities, staff, and volunteers. Furthermore, Council members affirmed Pastor Berg, Lund, and the Bohnsacks in their deep conviction that the church has a “plus ministry”—one no secular agency can offer. These CES founders all understood that fulfilling the highest destiny of people involves helping them recognize their ultimate worth under God and in Jesus Christ—something that requires going beyond bread to the Bread of Life. Uniqueness CES stands out for having leadership that helped establish the organization nearly 30 years ago and for offering a broad range of crisis services with a Christian dimension. Offices and Facilities CES operates out of the old Emmanuel Methodist Church. Augustana Lutheran Church owns this approximately 10,000 square-foot space. Board Following is a detailed list of CES’ board members: Edward W. Bobb, Vice Chair. Jim Cardle, Executive Chair. Pete Lefebvre, Member. Dolores Nord, Member. Tara Patty, Member. Norman Peterson, Member. Roy Watkins, Member. Rev. Liz Beissel, Member. J. Paul Carlson, Member. Phil Kruger, Member. Jonathon Lee, Member. Kurt Meyer, Member. Robert Peterson, Member. Karen Rustad, Member. Ken Stack, Secretary. John Bohnsack, Member, (nonvoting). CEO Rev. John R. Bohnsack directed the development of CES from its inception in 1971 until 1978. After working ten years as a parish pastor, he returned to CES as its Executive Director from 1989 to the present. He is a member of Augustana Lutheran Church. YEAR & EVENT - 1943 Born in Shakopee, MN. - 1961 Graduates from Chaska High School, Chaska, MN. - 1963 Graduates from the Lutheran Bible Institute, Minneapolis, MN. - 1967 Marries Barbara Alexander and later has two children. - 1968 Graduates with a B.A. degree from Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN. - 1971 Helps launch CES. - 1972 Directs CES as part of his seminary internship. - 1973 Graduates from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. - 1978 Leaves CES to pastor Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN. Serves there until 1988. - 1989-present Returns to CES as its Executive Director. Staff CES has a total of 11 paid workers. Of these, seven are full-time and four are part-time. Following is a detailed list of CES’ staff members: • Rev. John R. Bohnsack, Executive Director • John Bobolink, Food Shelf Coordinator • Rachael Davis, Receptionist/Bookkeeper • Chris Davis, Coordinator for CES Bible Study/Interviewer • Joni Hamilton, Client Intake Receptionist • Josephine Howell, Housing Specialist • Juanita Lindgren, Assistant to Director/Office Manager • Jim McGee, Custodial • Jeff Noyed, Assistant Director • Don Rudrud, Church Liaison • Carol Smith, part-time Bookkeeper, Housing Specialist VOLUNTEERS In addition to paid staff, CES has more than 460 volunteers. Volunteers perform duties such as the following: • Delivering Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors • Interviewing persons of crisis with food needs • Picking up and delivering food donations as well as sorting and stocking them • Supplying office and clerical support • Preparing monthly newsletter for bulk mailing. Affiliations CES is a ministry of Augustana Lutheran Church, in cooperation with many other congregations. Following is a list of CES’ different affiliates. MEMBERSHIPS • Emergency FoodShelf Network • Hunger Solutions Minnesota • Minnesota Council for Nonprofits COOPERATING GROUPS As a community partner and referral agency, CES cooperates with over 90 other nonprofit organizations, community groups, businesses, government agencies, and congregations. CONSULTANTS/ADVISORS • Gerry Berglund Augustana Home 1007 E. 14th St. Minneapolis, MN 55404 612-333-1551 • Fred Kopplin Attorney at Law 5038 34th Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55417 612-721-4488 REFERENCES • Dale Eggert Fare for All 729 Kasota Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55414 612-331-6870 • Janine Laird Hunger Solutions Minnesota 1502 Nicollet Ave. S. Suite 5 Minneapolis, MN 55403 612-870-9170 • Pastor Don Rudrud Minneapolis Area Synod 122 West Franklin Minneapolis, MN 55404 612-870-3610 • Elizabeth Stephens, Greater Minneapolis Daycare Association 1628 Elliot Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55404 612-341-1177