The Good Samaritan Ministries’ Empty Bowls Project was held weeks ago but the contributions from that event are still working to feed people both in Brown County and around the world.
As reported earlier, more than $27,000 was raised from the event to fight hunger. Ninety percent of that stays at Good Samaritan Ministries, and ten percent was tithed to Heifer International to support those fighting hunger around the world. Since the Empty Bowls Project is all about raising funds and awareness of hunger both locally and internationally, a tithe is always made off of the proceeds so that GSM and Brown County can have a part in fighting hunger globally. This is the only time GSM will ever send money outside of the county.
“We sent in our tithe and we are so excited to share with our community how their money is being spent,” said Angelia Bostick, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Ministries. “Because of the generous support of our community, we are not only able to provide for those at risk of hunger in our own community but to provide sustainable food sources for our brothers and sisters around the world.”
With the $2,700 tithe, Bostick said they were able to provide the following: 9 rabbits, 7 honeybee hives, 10 flocks of ducks, 10 flocks of chicks, 10 flocks of geese, 1 heifer, 1 goat, 1 water buffalo, 1 alpaca, 1 llama, 1 pig, 1 sheep, and 3 schools of fish fingerlings.
Heifer International does more than just provide food to families, Bostick said. They provide a means for sustainability.
“For example, that water buffalo on the list can provide milk and pulling power,” Bostick said. “With a water buffalo pulling a plow, a family can work a larger area of land at a time providing a higher yield of produce that they can then trade for other goods and services.”
Plus, through the Heifer International program, the recipients of these animals pass on the gift by donating the first female offspring to another family and sharing the training they received.
“So it really is a gift that keeps on giving,” said Bostick. “We just thought it is such an incredible program that will touch so many families, communities and villages by sharing God’s love and provision.”
Bostick said they just want to share with the people who made these gifts possible – the Brown County Community.
“To everyone who had any part in the Empty Bowls Project, ‘Thank You’,” Bostick said. “You have made a huge impact!”
The remaining proceeds from the Empty Bowls Project will be continue to make an impact by being divided among Good Samaritan Ministries’ six hunger programs: the Food Pantry, Food for Thought Program, Homeless Food Boxes, Homebound Program, Deer Project and Pig Project.
For more information about Good Samaritan Ministries, please visit goodsambwd.org or stop by 305 Clark Street.
