The Clothing Co-op is housed in Spiegel Hall, a former dormitory, and is an aid for all students. Clothing and household items are available without charge. The Co-op also makes available large and small appliances and furniture to students. All items at the Co-op are donated by individuals, organizations and congregations. No points are needed at the Clothing Co-op.

The Food Co-op is a small store, located on the lower level of the Student Commons, providing most grocery items needed by a family. 100% of the items are donated, either in-kind (i.e. cans of vegetables, loaves of bread) or in cash, which staff uses to purchase grocery items. A point system is used to equitably distribute items for all eligible students. Available items include meat, especially chicken, vegetables, fruits, cereal, staple pantry items, detergents, personal care products and baby items. Donations come from congregations, organizations and individuals of the LCMS for the purpose of assisting students as they prepare to become ordained pastors, missionaries and deaconesses to serve the church. The Food Co-op program represents assistance given in addition to financial aid and is not based on financial need.

   

• The Food Co-op provides high quality food and personal care products for students.
• All clothing is sorted and only the better quality items are available at the Clothing Co-op.
• Coupons are made available to assist families in additional shopping.
• School supplies are available in August.
• Over the counter medications are available in the Food Co-op.
• Christmas Marketplace gives children the opportunity to shop for parents and siblings.
• Gift cards are shared with the students.
• Each family receives a hand made quilt at Christmas each year.
• Each infant born to a seminary family is given a layette box.
• Never a cost to the students or their family members.

Full-time

Full-time students in the MDiv, AR, and MA programs leading to ordination as a Pastor or Certification as a Deaconess are eligible for Food Co-op benefits during the time they are registered for and taking classes.

STM and PhD non-ordained students receive the same support while registered for and taking classes. At such time as all classroom requirements are met, students may use the Co-op for no more than 3 quarters while final papers and dissertations are remaining.

No student who is ordained may use the Co-op without the express permission of the Dean of Students or Dean of Graduate studies. Any student serving a call in a parish is not eligible.

Part-time

Part-time students are eligible for benefits in proportion to the number of credit hours they are regularly taking. Half-time students receive half the usual number of points, three-quarters time receive three-quarters points, etc.

Vicarage

Vicars are not eligible to use the Co-op. Exceptions to this must be requested through the Vicarage Supervisor and be approved by both him and the Dean of Students.

D. Min.

In order to be in the D. Min. Program, a pastor must be serving a full-time call in a parish. Therefore, he is not eligible for Food Co-op benefits.

• All registered users of the Co-op volunteer time for privilege to use the Co-op.
• The Co-op is staffed from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday.
• Food Shopping Hours each week:
    Tuesday: 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
    Thursday: Noon - 6:00 pm
• Both facilities are closed when the Seminary is closed for holidays.