BENEVOLENCE PROGRESS REPORT

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Matthew 25:35-36

Update September 30, 2008

The number of people we have helped this year through "Clara’s Closet":
From January 1 through September 30, 2008 clothes have been given to 162 people.

Update June 18, 2008

This update shows only a portion of what the benevolence committee does at the church in the bend.  This work is done with the oversight and approval of our elders, and Al Akin served as the chairman of Benevolence Committee.  I am honored to have served on the benevolence committee since 2005.

A wonderful thing about the benevolence program at Neely’s Bend is that all ages are involved and working together to help those in need.  The following is a brief summary of some of the activities:

Christmas Sharing Party

          In 2002, Rick and Debbie McMasters started the Christmas Sharing Party, providing gifts and food for the needy families in our community. 

          Each year, gifts are purchased with funds donated by members of the church, and wrapped by the “sewing ladies” who meet each Wednesday.

          Last year over $7,000.00 was donated for Christmas sharing.  The children get their picture taken with Santa at which time gifts and food boxes are loaded into cars at the side doors.

Sewing Ladies – Visiting the Sick

          Our Wednesday morning sewing ladies made 450 pillows that we delivered with a check to patients at Bordeaux Hospital. 

Serving the Orphans

We were able to send a check to Potter’s Children’s Home where Jim Bill McInteer is a board member.

Feeding the Hungry

          In October 2004 David and Cherri North began our food drive for Thanksgiving food boxes which provides the children in the Bible school department a chance to participate in helping to feed the needy in our community.

          During the week of Thanksgiving each year, several members of the congregation gather on Monday evening and put food in boxes.  The food is then delivered on Tuesday.  Last year, members of the congregation (of all ages) delivered food boxes to 65 families in our neighborhood.  Each family received a turkey and other non-perishable food items and a note from the Neely’s Bend congregation.

          In January 2006 we began stocking our food pantry, and many families have been given food from this room.  In the bulletin each Sunday there is a food item that is listed to bring for the following Sunday.  This enables us to keep our food pantry stocked with varied non-perishable foods.  Members of the congregation have delivered food to families who had no way of picking up their food.

Clothing for Those in Need

          In June 2007 Clara’s Closet was started by Kim Chastain and Mark North in honor of Kim’s daughter Clara Chastain who passed away June 5, 2005.  The congregation has been so generous with their donations of slightly used clothing and shoes.  Some have volunteered to purchase items that are requested but not in our inventory of clothing.  Some routinely bargain shop with their own money and donate school attire clothing to the “Closet.” Some clothes are picked up at church but most of them are delivered by members of the congregation.  In 2007, 108 people were clothed and as of May 31, 2008, 74 people have been clothed for a total of 182 people.  Clara’s Closet delivers a clothes rack to Cumberland View Towers when the congregation has its monthly devotional there (the work of Glenn and Barbara Burton).

          When people need clothes, we often find that they have other needs as well.  For example: in May 2008, the “Closet” received a request for clothes for an elderly gentleman who had just moved into Cumberland View Towers.  When the clothes were delivered to him, it was clear that he had virtually moved into this apartment with the clothes on his back.  The church members came together and provided this gentleman with a bed, mattresses, bed clothes, kitchen items and other things he needed. 

          The inventory for Clara’s Closet has continued to grow from the generous donation of church members.  The area needed for the Closet has grown and with the help of the Bible School department, the Closet will be expanding soon. 

The Help of the Bible School Department

          Through the leadership of David and Cherri North, the lessons of Matthew 25 have been put into practice.  Our young people are given the opportunity to learn by doing good for others and to experience the joy of benevolence work.

          In December 2004 David and Cherri North started our toy drive to make sure that children in our neighborhood receive new toys for Christmas. 

          In January 2005 David and Cherri North begin the coat drive.  Most of the coats are distributed through guidance counselors at the Neely’s Bend Elementary and Middle Schools.  The rest were given to the elderly at Cumberland View Towers.  Here again, another way the children learn that they are a vital part of our congregation and that you do not have be a grown up to begin serving our Lord.

          In July 2006 Eric Rucker and Billy and Nancy Shipman carried the youth group to Miami on our new church bus.  The group met with other congregations to repair and paint houses for the underprivileged.

          During the summer of 2007, the youth group led by Eric Rucker, Rob Hatchett and Dr. David Adams met and painted the house of a widow who is a long time member of this church family – a sweet and precious lady. 

          On Wednesday nights, our young people make and send cards to our shut-ins.  During summer months, our young people put fruit baskets together and deliver them to our shut-ins.

          This month, June 2008, the Bible School department cleaned a room at an area business so Clara’s Closet can expand and grow.  The room was previously used as a food pantry for a local charity and was in dire need of cleaning before Clara’s Closet moved into the space. 

Continue to Serve

          We have assisted many families with medical needs, utility bills, rent and other necessities which have resulted in some of these families attending our church services and some have been baptized. 

                                                THE BENEVOLENCE COMMITTEE

                                                _______________________________

                                                JOE BURNS

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