Good Samaritan Ministries Getting Set for Empty Bowls

Good Samaritan Ministries is getting set for their largest fundraiser of the year, the Empty Bowls Project, which will be held March 27 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Brownwood Coliseum.

Not only is this their biggest fundraiser, but it is being held at a time when its proceeds can be increased.  During the months of March and April, Good Samaritan Ministries participates in the annual March Against Hunger Feinstein Challenge where everything GSM raises for food during those two months counts toward the $1 million Feinstein Challenge.  Even food donations count as $1 per pound or per item.  The proceeds from the Empty Bowls event are also counted toward this challenge, making the success of event even more important.

The public is invited to join in on the Empty Bowls Project and to participate in the Feinstein challenge.  There are many ways to help with the Empty Bowls event, by painting bowls, by volunteering for the event, by sponsoring the event monetarily or by coming and enjoying the meal.

For a donation only, suggested minimum $10, diners choose a hand-painted ceramic bowl and enjoy a simple meal of soup, bread and water. At the end of the meal, the empty bowl serves as a reminder that there are those in the Brown County community and around the world who have empty bowls and empty stomachs.  There will also be meals offered “to go” for those with busy schedules.  A preview event will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. for a ticket price of $25 which includes a first choice of bowls and a meal.

“The whole premise of the Empty Bowls Project is to not only raise awareness but to raise much-needed funds for one of the most solvable social issues facing our neighbors – food insecurity,” said Good Samaritan Ministries Executive Director Angelia Bostick. “Add the fact that it brings the community together from schools and nursing homes, restaurants and local businesses, to other groups and individuals, and this project has become an event we hope the community looks forward to each year.”

Last year, the event raised $16,500. Ninety percent of that total stayed at GSM to help Brown County residents and ten percent was tithed to Food for the Hungry, an organization that provides hunger relief on an international level.

To volunteer for the Empty Bowls event or arrange a bowl painting party, contact Misty Bowers, GSM Programs Manager at 643-2273 or 325-203-2489.  Sponsorships and advance tickets may be purchased at GSM, online, or through a board member.

Good Samaritan Ministries invites the public to come see GSM’s mission setting, and see exactly how donations go to work to help those in the community who need help.

Good Samaritan Ministries is the largest food pantry in the 19 counties that the West Central Texas Food Bank works with.  GSM is able to buy food products from the WCTFB for just 9-18? per pound.  So, financial donations to GSM are stretched even further with these discounted food prices.  Along with this, local businesses like Kroger, Wal-Mart and Brookshire’s often hold food drives where they bag up affordable donations of foods and ask their customers to help support GSM.  Wal-Mart also donates approximately 50,000 pounds of food per month to GSM through the Feeding America program.

These donations help, but the need is still greater.  According to Bostick, GSM has monthly expenses of $50,000 to operate and take care of the 1100 families per month that they serve with more than 4,000 unduplicated families in Brown County.  Families are assisted in emergency situations with food products, utility and rent assistance (only in dire emergency situations for families facing utility disconnects or eviction).

“We don’t give out a month’s worth of food (to families), we supplement food they already have in an emergency situation,” said Bostick.  “There are also income guidelines (for the utility assistance), but they are very generous.”

Another ministry offered by GSM is their clothing store.  Many times when families are faced with disaster such as a house fire, GSM provides free clothing.  The clothing store is also open to the public, offering low cost clothing items that have been donated.  The proceeds raised from the clothing store go back into GSM to help with operations costs.

“The clothing store is open to anyone, not just those in need. The more we make, the more comes back to our operations,” explained Bostick.  “There is more than just clothing too, there are small household items and bedding, but not furniture because we don’t have enough room.  In addition to stuff you can use, you can also find things to repurpose and refashion, which stretches your dollars.”

GSM has a 14 member staff, most of which are only part-time, and a force of approximately 300 volunteers that give their time to help sort clothing and food items before distribution and many other services.

Bostick explained that GSM is much more than what many people think.

“We’ve been here nearly 20 years, and many people send in donations.  They don’t mind helping kids and groups, but by sending in a donation without visiting GSM, these donors don’t see the whole story of what brought them (the families helped by GSM) here. People don’t grow up planning to shop at a thrift shop or a food pantry,” explained Bostick.  “We are also a clean, neat and organized, not your typical mission setting.”

The GSM staff invites the public to come view the GSM ministry, its building and ministries, located at 305 Clark Street.  They also ask those who want to help to organize a food drive or fund drive to benefit Good Samaritan Ministries during the month of March or April and  encourage everyone to mark their calendar for the Empty Bowls Project on March 27th.

For more information about Good Samaritan Ministries,