Good Samaritan Ministries reports that as of December 20, a total of 7246 pounds of venison has been collected for The Deer Project and other aspects of their ministry (especially the food pantry) have been able to help over 1000 families this month alone.
So far, throughout the month of December, the Good Samaritan Ministries’ food pantry has been piled to the ceiling with crates and boxes of food, been almost bare and filled to the brim again. The cycle seems to repeat itself at a rapid rate.
From the first of December to the sixteenth, 1085 families have been through the front doors of GSM to pick up grocery staples and Christmas boxes. More than 70,000 pounds of food have been boxed, bagged and given away. That’s more than 30 tons of food in and through the food pantry!
The bill from the Food Bank in Abilene where GSM is able to purchase much of its food was over $46,000. Combine that with the donations and food drives held throughout Brown County and GSM has been able to provide food to our hungry friends and neighbors for around 77 cents a pound.
The generous nature of the Brown County community always shows itself in a grand way as evidenced by the various food drives held throughout the county. The outpouring from the community has been overwhelming, but, unfortunately so has the need.
Every month this year has seen an increase in the number of families who have come to GSM needing food. As of Dec. 16, GSM has provided food for 663 more families than in the whole of 2009, and that’s with still a week to go.
That being said, as each family that has been blessed to give considers year-end giving, consider a ministry that gives to those less fortunate year-round, a ministry that come January 3 will open its doors and do it all over again.
The staff and volunteers of GSM realize that need doesn’t play by a set schedule and it certainly never plays fair. They also know that the face of need doesn’t always look like one would expect.
“We say we offer a hand up, not a hand out, because our goal is never to form a co-dependent clientele, but rather to be a light at the end of a very bleak and dreary tunnel,” said executive director Angelia Bostick. “We also realize that while need is often physical, it can sometimes be psychological as well. And that doesn’t make it any less of a need. Everyone needs to know that they were created special and they are greatly loved.”
Sometimes all a person needs is a kind word, a smile and to know that someone cares enough to lend a listening ear. Perhaps he needs to know he hasn’t been forgotten in a world that has passed him by. Maybe she needs to know there is still some kindness in the cruel world she’s come to know. And everyone always needs to know that they deserve to be loved and treated with dignity and respect.
Good Samaritan Ministries will continue to meet the basic physical needs of its clients through December 23 and will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, January 3. Extended hours will continue this week: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Anyone who would like to make a donation to the ministry may mail it to P.O. Box 11136 or bring it by 305 Clark Street during regular business hours. If you drop a donation by the office, make time to take a tour and see just what goes on at GSM.
