MFLCares Gives Back to the Indianola YMCA

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Midwest Family Lending Corp

Midwest Family Lending’s Katie McIntyre (right) presents Heather Hulen (left), executive director of the the Indianola YMCA a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program.

The Indianola YMCA is our featured charity this month and has received a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program. The funds will be used in support of the local non-profit’s mission to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all through programs and services that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

“Thank you for selecting the Indianola YMCA as your charity for the month of June. This generous contribution helps us to continue offering scholarships to individuals and families in need so that no one is turned away from the Y,” says Heather Hulen, executive director of the Indianola YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines. “We are so grateful for your commitment in helping us to continue the Y’s missions of Social Responsibility, Healthy Living and Youth Development.”

MFLCares logo

Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause each month to support that is important to them. Katie McIntyre, our marketing director is a dedicated member of the local Y. She nominated the local non-profit after seeing firsthand how it puts Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

“The Indianola Y and YMCA of Greater DSM have been such a blessing to my family and our community — especially with all they’ve offered to support both physical and mental health to those of all ages and income levels when many needed it more than ever the past year,” Katie says. “I’m grateful that through the Y, we can come together to model healthy habits for our children while supporting our community to thrive.”

About The Indianola YMCA

The Indianola YMCA is the result of a unique public/private partnership, with the City of Indianola, the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, the Indianola Community School District and Simpson College all contributing to its construction and operation. The Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility guide its work in the community.

What the YMCA Does

The YMCA of Greater Des Moines is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit social services organization dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Greater Des Moines strengthens communities throughout central Iowa by focusing on these areas of impact:

  1. Youth Development: Empowering young people to reach their full potential
  2. Healthy Living: Improving individual and community well-being
  3. Social Responsibility: Providing support and inspiring action in our communities

Five full-facility YMCA gyms in the Greater Des Moines area plus the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus and Y Camp in Boone, Iowa, provide spaces to play, to learn, to be healthy, to eat well and to give back. Everything the Y does is in service of making sure people and communities thrive.

More than 150 Years Positively Impacting Central Iowa

For more than 150 years, the YMCA of Greater Des Moines has empowered communities by ensuring access to resources, relationships and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By the numbers:

  • 140
    • People call the Y’s supportive housing campus home
  • 18,000
    • Individuals given access through scholarships
  • 100,000
    • People served in central Iowa

Access for All

Through generous donors, the Y is accessible to individuals and families at all income levels. Financial assistance is available for membership, swim lessons, youth sports, camp, before and after school care and many of the other programs the Y offers. Eligibility for assistance and the amount of support given is determined on an individual basis.

In FY2020 the YMCA of Greater Des Moines Association averaged 42,188 members, of which 8,109 (almost 1 in 5) received some level of financial assistance. More than $1,500,000 of financial assistance was awarded in 2020.

How You Can Make a Difference

When you support the Y, you help give young people a chance at a brighter future, inspire healthy living and build vibrant communities right where you live!

Join the Y!

When you join the Y, you’ll discover new ways to connect with your potential, purpose and community. No matter where you are on your journey, the Y is where you can be, belong and become.

Volunteer &/or Give

The Y works side-by-side with its neighbors to strengthen the foundations of community. Share your time, talent and treasure at the Y, and change lives and communities, including your own. Whether volunteer to help with special events, coaching or mentoring youth or raising funds for the Annual Campaign, your skills and interests will make a difference.

About MFLCares

MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and to community impact. Check out our calendar to learn more about the great causes MFLCares is supporting this year.

The Y is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by connecting people to their potential, purpose and each other.

Heather Hulen, executive director of the Indianola YMCA, A division of The YMCA of Greater Des Moines
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Summer Bucket List!

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Midwest Family Lending Corp

Summer’s officially here! Here’s what’s on some of our bucket lists, along with some tips for having the best summer ever!

• Go to Okoboji, and enjoy the sun, the lake and the fact that we can go sit at a restaurant and support the local community! ~Sara Fuller
• Take a family vacay in August after baseball’s over and before our son leaves home to go to college. My wife’s a teacher, so I love her being home for the summer. Our family enjoys sitting out on the deck together. It’s fun to get to spend time outside with people post-pandemic. ~Jason Pleggenkuhle
• Daufuskie Island, SC. Try a new ice cream place. Golf with the kids each week, teaching focus, discipline, manners, respect, self-worth, patience and the ability to enjoy/appreciate their surroundings. Camp at least two times per month & invite friends. ~Charlie Chedester
• Now that Spirit Lake’s our permanent home, we’re already at a place where friends/family are always coming up to visit. We spend a lot of time out on the boat. The Iowa State Fair is my husband’s favorite. We’re going to catch Blake Shelton and the Doobie Brothers there this year. ~Kim Hinrichsen
• Explore DSM with the kids and maybe take a few trips to local zoos. With the zoo pass, we are able to get free or reduced entrance at other zoos across the country. That has already paid dividends for us. ~Kyle Guldenpfennig, #TallMoneyMan
• Boating and jet skiing at Silver Lake. ~Linden Heikens
• Catch up with friends and family. ~Molly Maguire
• Concerts: Blake Shelton (at the Iowa State Fair) and Garth Brooks (at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln). Trips: Heading to Colorado to see our grandson! ~Jean Holman
• Family fishing trip and golfing. ~Derek Draisey
• See a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre! ~Eric Smith
• Enjoy a good old, smalltown Fourth of July celebration in my wife’s hometown, including a parade and fireworks on the lake, which we couldn’t do last year. And, of course, loading up on Runza’s (seasoned ground beef mixed with cabbage and onions baked inside a bread pocket) on the way home! ~Mark Engleman

What’s on your family’s bucket list?

Contact us today to see if refinancing could save you some cash to put toward your dreams or to help finance your backyard oasis. With home values skyrocketing it’s a great time for a free mortgage analysis to see if you can get out of mortgage insurance. And if a new place to call “home” is on your list, we’re got you covered there too!

It’s sure been hot in the Midwest so far this summer. But did you now that according to NASA, 2020 tied for the hottest year ever?! Summer’s the perfect time to keep the house cool and bring the party outdoors. These yummy BBQ recipes from Jean, one of our awesome licensed home loan originators, are sure to be the hit of your summer picnic!

Smoked Beef Brisket

Ingredients:
12-14 lb. beef brisket, trimmed
½ cup Worcestershire sauce
3-4 pecan, hickory or oak wood chunks or pellets, depending on your smoker

For the rub:
¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
¼ cup paprika
¼ cup smoked paprika
2 ½ Tbsp. course sea salt
3 Tbsp. granulated garlic
1 Tbsp. onion powder
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. red pepper

Directions:
Brush or rub brisket generously with Worcestershire sauce. Coat entire brisket with rub and chill 1 to 4 hours (can do the night before and refrigerate overnight).

Remove brisket from refrigerator and let stand 1 hour.
Meanwhile prepare smoker: Temp. 250-260 degrees
Place brisket fat side down, and close smoker. Smoke 5 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the brisket where the point and flat meet registers 165 degrees.
Remove brisket from smoker, wrap tightly in wax-free butcher paper; return brisket to smoker. Cook 3-5 hours more hours, checking temperature each hour until meat thermometer inserted into the center of the brisket registers 200 degrees.

Remove brisket from smoker; open butcher paper, and allow steam to escape for 2-4 minutes. Re-wrap, and let brisket stand in butcher paper 2 hours.
Remove brisket from butcher paper, slice meat across the grain into ¼ inch thick slices.

Smoked Pork Butt

Ingredients:
8-10 lb. bone-in pork shoulder roast (pork butt)
½ cup peanut oil
2 cups Season All Rub (recipe below)
1 cup Pork Brine Injection (recipe below)
3-4 maple or cherry chunks or pellets, depending on smoker
¾ cup apple juice

Season All Rub
¾ cup paprika
½ cup turbinado sugar
¼ cup seasoned salt
¼ cup coarse black pepper
2 Tbsp. granulated garlic
1 Tbsp. granulated onion
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. chipotle powder

Pork Brine Injection
1 cup apple juice
1/8 cup white vinegar
½ cup sugar
1/8 cup kosher salt
½ tsp. hot sauce
½ Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. Season All Rub

Trim excess fat from pork butt. Coat port butt with peanut oil, followed by a liberal coating of Season All Rub. Using an injector, inject 1 cup Pork Brine Injection into pork butt at 1-inch intervals. Chill for 4-6 hours.

Remove butt from refrigerator, and let stand 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare smoker temp. to 275 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Place pork in smoker, close lid and smoke for 4-6 hours or until the meat thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 165 degrees.
Remove pork from smoker, and wrap tightly in a double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Return pork to smoker. Continue cooking until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 200 degrees.
Remove pork butt from smoker; open foil, and allow steam to escape for 2-4 minutes. Let pork rest in foil 2-4 hours.
Remove pork from foil, and place on cutting board. Shred pork. Discard fat, and serve!

☀️ Summer, winter, spring or fall, we’re here to help you have room in your budget to have your best summer ever and live your best life!

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Don’t Forget to File For Your Homestead Credit by July 1!

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Midwest Family Lending Corp

Did someone say, “Free $?!”

In Iowa you’re eligible to obtain the credit on one property if:

  • It’s your primary residence 6 months out of the year. AND
  • You apply by July 1.
    • But you can file whenever if you haven’t yet (Hello, 2020 homebuyers who may have missed this amidst the craziness that was our world last year). You just won’t receive the credit for the year if you don’t file by July 1.

It’s as easy as 1 – 2 – 3!

  1. Visit: http://iowaassessors.com, and find your county.
  2. Search for your property.
  3. Look for a link to complete your homestead credit application.

How much are we talking here? It’s free money — does it even matter?! Basically, it varies based on the credits for which you qualify and the taxes on your home. But most people end up save a couple hundred dollars, each year! A.K.A. totally worth your time!

Already filed? You’re set for future years so long as you remain eligible.

Sorry, Nebraska’s not so nice. You’re only eligible if you’re one of the following:

  • Older than 65
  • A qualified disabled individual OR
  • A qualified disabled veterans or their widow(er).

Here’s more information for Nebraska residents including how to file.

Questions? We’ve got answers.

We’re always happy to help with all your home ownership inquiries and to help you save $! We strive to be a great resource for all things home ownership to our customers. And what we can’t answer, we can connect you with the experts who love what they do as much as we do mortgages!

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MFLCares about Meals from the Heartland

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Midwest Family Lending Corp
Midwest Family Lending’s Madeline Myer and Hannah Fuller present Meals from the Heartland Executive Director Greg DeHaii a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program.

Meals from the Heartland is our featured charity this month and has received a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program. The funds will be used in support of the local non-profit’s mission of “empowering people to save starving children”.

“We are beyond blessed to be a part of such a caring community that includes the recent donation from our friends at Midwest Family Lending,” says Greg DeHaai, Executive Director of Meals from the Heartland. “Donations are critical to our mission as we do not receive government funding. All ingredients are purchased with the generous donations of our volunteers, supporters and community. Meals are distributed to those in need right here in Iowa, across the U.S. and around the world.”

MFLCares logo

Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause each month to support that is dear to their hearts. Hannah Fuller, our mortgage processing associate, nominated Meals from the Heartland after seeing firsthand the impact the local non-profit makes on both the lives of those in need and on those who volunteer.

“Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to volunteer with this organization on numerous occasions,” Hannah says. “They are changing lives every day, making a difference for everyone involved and demonstrating the importance of serving others.”

What Meals From The Heartland Does

Meals from the Heartland is a non-profit organization composed of volunteers who package meals for delivery to starving children in Iowa, across the U.S. and around the world. The 501(c)(3) is made up of volunteers from businesses, schools, churches, community organizations and beyond.

How You Can Help

Donate and feed a child. Volunteer and change a life. Give and make a difference. Every dollar and every hour you give could mean a better life for a hungry child, right here at home or abroad.

Onsite packaging takes place every Tuesday-Saturday at the organization’s West Des Moines Packaging Center. Or you can volunteer to help the hungry by scheduling a private or mobile hunger fight.

Donate

Each volunteer uses more than $100 worth of ingredients and materials to pack about 540 meals per shift. Ingredients are not donated to Meals from the Heartland. Donations help to purchase those ingredients. With your generous support Meals From the Heartland can continue its efforts to end hunger around the world and in our own backyard.

Upcoming Events

About MFLCares

MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and to community impact. Check out our calendar to learn more about the great causes MFLCares is supporting this year.

A dollar. A volunteer hour. Small things like these can have a big impact. Support the work and mission of Meals from the Heartland and help save starving children — one meal at a time. Because every meal is an opportunity for hope.

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MFLCares Gives Back to Genesis Youth Foundation

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Midwest Family Lending Corp
Midwest Family Lending’s Charlie Chedester presents Sam Gabriel, Co-Founder of Genesis Youth Foundation, a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program. Genesis Youth Foundation is leveling the playing field for immigrant and refugee children and families and is providing the support they need and deserve to be empowered.

Genesis Youth Foundation is our featured charity this month and has received a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program. The funds will be used to support and empower immigrant and refugee children and families in Greater Des Moines.

“We’d like to thank Midwest Family Lending for selecting GYF as an organization that is making an impact in our community,” says Sam Gabriel, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Genesis Youth Foundation (GYF). “Being selected means our work is appreciated, which is encouraging and motivating.”

MFLCares logo

Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause each month to support that is dear to their hearts. With three kids of his own, Charlie Chedester, CRMS, CVLS, and one of our awesome home loan gurus, understands the important role community support can play in the overall success for children and families.

When a new family moves into the neighborhood, we rally around them to welcome them home. Some families move across town, while hundreds of families each year move across the world to settle in Iowa with hopes for a brighter future.

“If I moved my family to a place where the language, culture and community were foreign in every way, I’d be so thankful for an organization like Genesis for my kids,” Charlie says. “So from one dad to another, welcome to Des Moines.”

What Genesis Youth Foundation Does

All children deserve to feel loved and appreciated. But many in our community lack access, opportunity and support merely because of the color of their skin. Genesis Youth Foundation is leveling the playing field for immigrant and refugee children and families and is providing the support they need and deserve to be empowered.

Teachers, volunteers, board members, community partners, and parents
join to remove barriers and driving opportunities for success. Together they help bridge the gap for many families, empowering them through athletic play, education, dance and song.

GYF embraces the many languages of our community while building solid grounds where their play will become the work that changes the world.

Upcoming Events

African Leadership Talk Series

What: A monthly, online conversation series presented by African Service Providers of Central Iowa to address barriers facing African refugees & immigrants leading their communities in an impactful way. Central Iowa African Leaders discuss and identify strategies and action plans with other leaders to collectively better serve our communities.

Who’s Invited: Nonprofit organizations, national-level community leaders, faith-based community leaders, business owners, corporate leaders and social group leaders

When: The third Saturday of the month from 5-6:30 p.m.

​Where: Online via Zoom (comfy pants welcome!). Register Here.

How You Can Help

From helping with homework to driving the van and coaching soccer, volunteers make GYF’s mission happen. To learn more about Genesis and to discover how you can get involved, visit www.genesisyouthfoundation.org

Donate: Supplies, Funds or Sponsor a Child

List Of Supplies Needed: Gift cards, non-perishable nutritional foods, personal hygiene items, musical instruments, soccer gear, school supplies, gas cards, etc. GYF spends roughly $82 each week on gas to transport youth in Ankeny, Johnston, Altoona, Urbandale and Des Moines.

Looking for a meaningful cause to round out your charitable contributions for the tax year? Look no further than Genesis. Genesis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your tax-deductible donation will help provide opportunities for kids to engage through sports and the arts.

Your charitable contribution helps provide so much more than uniforms or the location to practice — it provides hope. Reward yourself with the knowledge that your dollars are helping us solve the challenges facing immigrant & refugee families.

About MFLCares

MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and to community impact. Check out our calendar to learn more about the great causes MFLCares is supporting this year.

“Genesis Youth Foundation’s work is needed in the community simply because it helps bridge the gaps between African culture and other cultures in central Iowa. We work to level the playing field for refugee and immigrant youth and families to integrate and feel a belonging to the broader communities.”

~Sam Gabriel, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Genesis Youth Foundation
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Midwest Family Lending Supports Youth Financial Education Through EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Midwest Family Lending Corp

Financial Literacy Month student challenge equips students ages 13-18 with money management skills

Compete for an opportunity to win a college scholarship up to $10,000!

Families across the country are struggling financially in the wake of the pandemic, from unemployment to career shifts to a reduction in income.
And with nearly a quarter of the population deemed “financially fragile”, this is a major social, economic and community issue.

With this in mind, Midwest Family Lending is proud to announce we’re sponsoring the EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee nationwide financial capability challenge.

The Financial Literacy Bee gives junior and senior high school students a chance to have some fun while learning critical financial concepts during Financial Literacy Month!

This year’s virtual challenge will take place April 1-15, and we want the high schoolers in your life to be part of it!

The short, interactive lessons teach students how to save, set financial goals, budget and invest. After completing the lessons, students submit a short capstone essay. In it they share a short-term, medium-term, or long-term savings goal and outline how they plan to achieve it. Three winners of the Financial Literacy Bee will receive up to $10,000 in college scholarships!

How It Works

Students can participate in just 3 easy steps:

  1. Visit the EVERFI Financial Literacy Bee website
  2. Complete the lessons (~10 minutes each)
  3. Submit a short essay sharing a savings goal and how you plan to achieve it! Submission deadline is April 15th.

“Midwest Family Lending is committed to engaging its communities, increasing financial literacy and driving impactful change. And strengthening our communities starts at home,” says Chuck West, President, Midwest Family Lending. “It’s important to all of our team that students are given the tools they need to reach their financial goals. We hope the Financial Literacy Bee will help drive dinner-table conversations about important financial topics.”

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image.png

And follow along on our Facebook page throughout the Financial Bee challenge to learn more!

“The pandemic has shone a bright light on the financial vulnerability of most Americans, with 40 percent of American consumers reporting that they had trouble paying at least one bill or expense in 2020,” said Ray Martinez, co-founder and president, EVERFI. “We’ve always been committed to helping students increase their financial literacy. And during this historic time, we are also working to help parents feel more comfortable having dinner-table conversations about money. The Financial Literacy Bee is a fun way for students to learn important strategies to increase savings.”

Family in kitchen surrounding computer
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MFLCares about Za-Ga-Zig Shriners & Shriners Children’s

Posted on March 30, 2021 by Midwest Family Lending Corp
Pictured from left to right (front row): Potentate Dean Schoppe, Jerry Adcock and Chief Rabban Randy Weldon (back row): Jered Van Dyne, Craig Matzke P.P., Bruce Werts, Josh Brandt, Alan Gillaspy and Jim Larrington

Za-Ga-Zig Shriners is our featured charity this month and has received a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program. The funds will be used to support Shriners Children’s child life department and a summer camp for patients from Iowa.

“Za-Ga-Zig Shriners are honored to accept this generous donation from Midwest Family Lending on behalf of Shriners Children’s Twin Cities,” says Craig Matzke, the Des Moines-area Board of Governors representative to the facility. “This gift will benefit Shriners Children’s child life department and specifically a future summer camp for our patients from Iowa. Camps are one of the ways we treat the overall health and well-being of our patients and we hope to hold a camp at Camp High Hopes in Sioux City next summer.”

MFLCares logo

Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause each month to support that is dear to their hearts. Josh Brant one of our licensed mortgage loan originators, nominated Za-Ga-Zig Shriners after learning about what they do through the Iowa Shrine Bowl.

Why the Shriners?

“In 1996, I was selected to play in the Iowa Shrine Bowl,” Josh says. “This was such an honor to not only represent my school, teammates and family, but also to play for all the kids who don’t have the opportunity to play football due to disabilities. It was such an amazing experience, and I wanted to be able to give back to the Shriner’s.

About Shriners

Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. The fraternity has nearly 200 chapters in several countries and thousands of clubs around the world. Its members are known for their compassion for others and for being active participants in their communities. Shriners help make the world a better place. Men from all walks of life and all levels of income find fun, fellowship and relaxation in their individual Shrine Centers and their activities.

Shriners are best known for their colorful parades, their distinctive red fezzes and their official philanthropy, Shriners Children’s, which they affectionately refer to as “The World’s Greatest Philanthropy.”

Shriners Children’s – the Heart and Soul of the Shrine

Shriners Children’s was established as the fraternity’s official philanthropy in 1922. What began as one hospital, is now a world-renowned healthcare system with locations in three countries. It is a leader in several areas of specialty care, including burns, craniofacial conditions, orthopedics, spine care and sports medicine. Shriner’s Children’s strives to provide a full range of services and support to help its patients reach their goals and discover their full potential. In addition, the healthcare system conducts research to improve its patients’ quality of life and offers outstanding educational programs for medical professionals. All care and services are provided regardless of the families’ ability to pay or insurance status.

How You Can Help

Unfortunately, the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Circus had to be cancelled this year due to COVID-19. But watch the local Shriners events calendar for upcoming family fun in the Des Moines area! Shriners don’t just drive little cars in parades. They also host great concerts, public dinners, hot rod car shows and many other events open to the public.

Donate

Shriners Children’s is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Through the generosity of donors, the Shriners have been able to help more than 1.4 million children reach their potential and lead more fulfilling lives— regardless of a families’ ability to pay.

About MFLCares

MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and to community impact. Check out our calendar to learn more about the great causes MFLCares is supporting this year.

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5 Things Every Homeowner Should Know How to Do

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Midwest Family Lending Corp

This whole month has felt like a polar Groundhog Day in the Midwest….

✔️ Snow
✔️ So cold the dog won’t even go outside
✔️ Grateful at least now we can get our groceries and takeout curbside!

While you’re cooped up at home, here are a couple of things to check out that are important for every homeowner to know:

1. How to Unclog a Drain

Sometimes Draino just won’t cut it, and for those times: We resort to a plunger and a drain snake. It works wonders + almost always gets the job done! 100% try this method before calling in a professional!

2. Find Wall Studs

Finding wall studs is a must-know because you’ll have to locate them before you hang anything on the wall or put in shelving. To do this easily and on-the-cheap, simply knock on the wall. If it sounds solid, there’s a stud behind it, and you shouldn’t hang your item there.

3. Replace Air Filters

Replacing air filters is an easy job that many people don’t do often enough. We recommend buying a batch of filters at once and labeling them by month so you can be reminded every 30 days to rotate them out. The more you change filters, the less likely a problem is to arise.

4. Shut Off Water

It’s wise to turn-off your water before you leave for a vacation to avoid any possible flooding or leak issues. Locate where the main water valve is in your home and turn it off like you would a normal spout.

5. Address the Squeaks

Squeaky areas can get on a person’s last nerve. Lucky for us, the solution is often as easy as some WD40. We recommend having it on hand for a multitude of reasons, but it has definitely been a saving grace in this instance.

And when you’re looking for some cash to finance your next home renovation (hello, home office upgrade!) or are ready for a new space to call “home”, we’re here for you!


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MFLCares Gives Back to Girls Inc. of Sioux City

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Midwest Family Lending Corp
Midwest Family Lending’s Kim Hinrichsen presents Girls Inc. of Sioux City participants Hazel, Georgia and Iris and executive director Mandy Engel-Cartie a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program.

Girls Inc. of Sioux City is our featured charity this month and has received a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program. The funds will be used in support of the non-profit’s mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold.

“We are so grateful to Midwest Family Lending for this generous donation. Thanks to this support, Girls Inc. can continue to serve girls as a local learning hub with remote education support, meals, enrichment programs and a safe, positive place for Siouxland girls,” says Mandy Engel-Cartie, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Sioux City. “Thank you Midwest Family Lending, for your legacy of being a caring community partner and helping to ensure that Siouxland children succeed.”

MFLCares logo

Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause a month to support that is dear to their hearts. Kim Hinrichsen, one of our licensed mortgage loan originators, nominated Girls Inc. because she wanted to support the work it does in strengthening her community through youth development.

“Girls Inc. provides a positive environment for girls to go while their parents are working,” Kim says. “And I’m all about empowering girls to become strong women who can find success in whatever they put their minds too. Girls Inc. is a wonderful resource in our community to make that impact during critical developmental years.”

Girls Inc. of Sioux City, is a local non-profit organization that promotes strong skill sets every girl needs. Its mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. The Girls Inc. experience equips girls to navigate gender, economic and social barriers and grow into healthy, educated and independent adults.

The Girls Inc. Difference

“Today, girls continue to encounter significant obstacles to their well-being and success. Research tells us that girls are at the greatest risk of stress and depression, as they are asked to take on increased responsibility for household chores and childcare for siblings, endure family separation and even cope with the death of loved ones. Stress and isolation can seriously affect brain development,” Mandy says.

Girls Inc. delivers life-changing programs that inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Research-based curricula, delivered by trained professionals, equip girls to achieve academically; lead healthy and physically active lives; manage money; navigate media messages; and discover an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. Girls build confidence and embrace positive decision-making to take charge of their health and well being, and achieve academic, personal, and career goals.

Make a Difference in a Young Girl’s Life

All of Girls Inc. programming is enhanced by amazing volunteers, who bring their own skills, talents, and life experiences to share with the girls. 
find and sign up for any of our current volunteer needs here.

Give

Confidence, curiosity, and courage. Girls Inc. mentors let girls know it’s important to try new things, to keep going and to stand up for themselves and for others.

Experiences that have life-long impact as girls discover their strengths, plan for the future, and learn how to work with others.

The chance to be the first in her family to go to college. 85% of girls’ families in the program struggle to make ends meet. Many of these girls going to college will lead the way in their family.

Access to Girls Inc.’s computer lab and Operation SMART, the non-profit’s acclaimed STEM programs help girls learn to ask great questions and learn from bold mistakes.

Belief in her potential, by being one of the hundreds of people around Siouxland (and beyond!) who care enough to invest in her future.

About MFLCares

MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and to community impact. Check out our calendar to learn more about the great causes MFLCares is supporting this year.

“The pandemic has disrupted nearly every aspect of children’s lives — from their physical and mental health, learning, food and economic security, to safety. But children can thrive, even in these circumstances, when they have access to a safe and positive environment, mentors, education and regular social interaction.”

~Mandy Engel-Cartie, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Sioux City
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Announcing MFLCares’ 2021 Charities!

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Midwest Family Lending Corp
MFLCares logo

We’re pleased to announce our 2021 MFLCares calendar! The selected charities include:

Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause a month that is dear to their hearts.

Each charity will be spotlighted in its respective month. We’ll share how it supports our communities and how you can join our team to help get involved. All of MFLCares’ 2021 causes will also receive a $1500 donation in support of their missions.

“We started the MFLCares program in 2016 in an effort to create a conduit between our communities and the incredible causes within them. However, throughout the last five years, it has become much more than that. MFLCares is a huge part of who we are as a company. Each month, we get the opportunity to meet the real people behind these organizations, and it’s always both inspiring and humbling. We are proud just to play a small part in growing the awareness for these admirable charities.”

~Chuck West, president of Midwest Family Lending

MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and to community impact.

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