Religious Offerings: Best selling author to speak at Jewish Federation

■ The Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo is hosting Wednesday a book talk with Emily Nussbaum , a New York Times best-selling author.

Nussbaum will talk about her recent release, Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV , which explores the origins of reality TV, its draw for so many viewers, tools of the trade, and tales of exploitation.

The author will give a presentation, answer audience questions, and sign books, which will be available for purchase at the event.

The program begins at 7 p.m. at the Franciscan Center, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania. Tickets, $10, can be reserved at form.jotform.com/jewishtoledo/jfgtprograms .

Nussbaum is a staff writer a t the New Yorker and in 2016 won the Pulitzer Prize for criticism. The community event is a partnership between Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo, Lourdes University, and Finch & Fern Book Co.

■ Helping Hands of St. Louis is accepting donations of new shoes and socks to support its annual Shoe Fest, which supports school children. Toddler size 10 through adult size 10 are needed. Backpacks, books, and school supplies are also welcome.

Items can be dropped off at 443 6th St., Toledo between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, preferably by July 11 but up through July 26. Items should be clearly marked as “Shoe Fest.”

The 11th annual Shoe Fest will be July 27 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Helping Hands of St. Louis is a ministry of Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo that serves low-income and homeless families and individuals.

For more information, go to catholiccharitiesnwo.org .

■ Holland Free Methodist Church hosts a Story in the Park event on Mondays through July 29. The event will include Bible stories and free ice cream. Families with children up to 6th grade are welcome to attend.

It’s at Strawberry Acres Park, 950 S. McCord Rd., Holland at 6:30 p.m. Go to Facebook.com/HollandFMC for more information.

■ The Revs. Jeff Bunke and John Hagan, local Episcopal priests, will celebrate biweekly Pilgrim’s Masses on Tuesdays and Fridays this summer. The services will enourage those attending to treat each day as a journey walking with Christ.

The services start at 7 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 310 Elizabeth St., Maumee. All are welcome to attend. Go to stpaulsmaumee.org/blog/pilgrims-mass for details.

■ Tickets are available for An Evening With Jim Tressel , a fund-raiser later this month.

The former head coach of the Ohio State University football team will speak about football, motivating others, and the importance of giving back.

Steven Brinkman will also speak about his background and his time living in a youth group home. Genacross Family & Youth Services helps youths from disadvantaged backgrounds to bring about positive change for their futures.

The event is at 6 p.m. July 25 at The Pinnacle, 1772 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee. It is hosted by and benefits the ministries of the Genacross Lutheran Services Foundation.

Tickets, $150, include dinner and are available at genacrosslutheranservices.org .