News and Updates

MINISTRY UPDATE. (SPRING 2026)

Our Winter Gear Swap has wrapped up a SIXTH season and given away hundreds of winter gear items to keep people warm.  Thank you for the donations!

Last August we had our second We Heart R-S day to show love to our communities of Roland and Story City.  We had dozens of volunteers from local ministerial churches, and blessed hundreds with free car washes, coffee, donuts, window washing, cookies, carousel rides, and a bunch of fun and music at North Park!  We’re planning 2026’s event already for August 29!

Please consider reaching out to support the efforts if you feel led.  You can contact rscityserve@gmail.com.

MINISTRY UPDATE. (JANUARY 2025)

It’s a new year, and the work continues!  Our Winter Gear Swap has wrapped up a FIFTH season and given away hundreds of winter gear items to keep people warm.  Thank you for the donations!

Last August we launched our We Heart R-S day to show love to our communities of Roland and Story City.  We had dozens of volunteers from local ministerial churches, and blessed hundreds with free car washes, coffee, donuts, window washing, cookies, carousel rides, and a block party.  We’re planning 2025’s event already!

Please consider reaching out to support the efforts if you feel led.  You can contact rscityserve@gmail.com.

MINISTRY UPDATE. (JANUARY 2022)

It’s a new year, and the work continues!  Our Winter Gear Swap will continue for a few more selected weekends.  Please see our Facebook Page for those announcements!

You can take free items and/or swap items!  Whatever works for you!

We also want to update you on our organizational status.  We have applied for our 501c3 designation with the IRS and hope to receive a decision in the coming months.  This process costs thousands of dollars in legal and IRS fees, so we ask you to consider giving towards that expense.  When approved, we’ll be able to process donations as deductible!

MINISTRY UPDATE. (OCT 2020)

This month our team met to bring clarity to our vision, define our hands-on projects for the coming months, and to pray for our community and the many needs that exist.

COVID and colder weather are a recipe for loneliness and hardship.  If that is you, know that we are here for you to support you and connect you with resources.  As the holiday season this year will have fewer parties, gatherings, and carol sings – help us identify where we can be a blessing!

This fall and into December, we will be starting a firewood stockpile for winter wood-burning heating assistance.  We will also be furnishing and designing our building space so that we can begin community activities in early 2021!  

A BUILDING? REALLY. (SEP 2020)

Sometimes the Good Lord is a few steps ahead of you when you have a dream or goal.

This was certainly the case when it comes to having a space for RScityserve to operate out of.  Since we are not even yet a formal, state-recognized organizaiton (let alone a 501c3), having a space to lease or buy was not really on the radar.

About 24 hours after our friends at Lifelight left in July, this building at 403 Broad went up for sale in Story City.  A passing comment led to an in-depth assessment of need and dreams, and to make a long story short, a generous family in town decided to purchase this building for RScityserve to use as a minsitry hub.  Humbling, for sure.

Alongside our ongoing work projects the Roland, Story City, and surrounding area, we now have this turnkey neutral space to use for a dozen other dreams.  403 Broad St.  Look for it and dream along with us!

A STORM AND TOGETHERNESS (AUG 2020)

It was an interesting time to form a service organization.  The work was plentiful, but really we were just getting formed.

At the time of the midwest derecho, RScityserve had only met as a core group one time.  But the needs were obvious, and we wanted to help.  In the following days, RScityserve was able to provide over 1300 free meals in Roland to residents, DOT workers, and anyone else who had need.  These were made possible through the generosity of Thrivent, Roland Kiwanis, Immanuel Lutheran Story City, and Harvest E-free.

It’s incredible how something so devastating can bring people together.  The ongoing needs from this storm will not be as obvious.  If you or someone you know needs continued assistance, work done, or storm related needs, please reach out to see if we can help!