October is Hunger Awareness Month and, with it, an opportunity to learn all about the six hunger ministries of Good Samaritan Ministries. And, in honor of Hunger Awareness Month, GSM is providing a way for the Brown County community to provide food to their friends and neighbors who are at risk of hunger.
GSM has six hunger ministries providing nutrition to a number of people of varying ages, life stages and social situations: Food Pantry, the Deer Project, Food for Thought Program, Homeless Food Boxes, Homebound Program and the Pig Project.
“In the following days and weeks, we will introduce you to each of our hunger ministries and share how they each meet a specific need in our Brown County community,” said Angelia Bostick, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Ministries. “And we are very excited to share our huge Hunger Awareness Month project.”
During the month of October, GSM is asking the community to come together in a BIG way by collecting food items for the Christmas boxes that are packed in November and distributed in December.
“We have contacted many schools, universities, businesses, churches and other organizations already but if you haven’t heard from us, please give us a call so we can assign you an item to collect,” said Bostick.Spurred on by the enormous success of National Night Out when the participating law enforcement agencies encouraged the community to collect cans of tuna, Bostick said they saw that when they gave people a specific item to collect, enough came in to feed all of their families through the Food Pantry, with enough left over for the Homeless Food boxes and the Homebound Program.
All in all, more than 4,000 cans of tuna was donated on a single night.
“We saw that by giving people specific goals, it takes the guess work out and gives people something to reach for,” Bostick said. “Our food costs have risen more than 12 percent this year alone and that number will likely double next year so it really becomes necessary to find other means to bring in the amount of food needed to feed our families.”
Bostick said they will pack 1,200 boxes in November to distribute in December. The food collected this month will enable GSM to provide these boxes without having to purchase so much extra food during a time of year when money is tight.
Of course, they will accept monetary donations any time. Checks may be mailed to P.O. Box 1136, Brownwood, drop by 305 Clark Street or make a donation online at goodsambwd.org.
If you would like to take part in this county-wide food drive or if you have questions, please call Misty at 643-2273 or 325-203-2489.
