Evacuee increase leading to greater World Hunger fund needs

Sherri Brown

Larry Reed, a volunteer from Pinecrest Church, Gainesville stacks beans in a storeroom at Good Samaritan, a food ministry of Chattahoochee Baptist Association. Reed and his wife, Gladys, volunteer several hours a week at the ministry offices.

Each month volunteers at Good Samaritan ministry pass out 10,000 pounds of food. Clients receive boxes loaded with canned goods, boxed goods and even fresh fruits and vegetables.

It's only possible because of World Hunger funds given by Georgia Baptists.

Good Samaritan is a ministry of Chattahoochee Baptist Association in Gainesville. With about 70 churches supporting the food ministry, local volunteers pack and distribute about 5,000 boxes of food each year.

"Each month we are able to buy 9,000 pounds of food from the Atlanta Food Bank for $600," said Mike Walston, church and communities ministries director for Chattahoochee Association and director of Good Samaritan.

A presence in the community

"With the $10,000 we get each year from World Hunger funds, we're able to purchase that food. The other 1,000 pounds we give out each month is donated through our local churches," Walston said.

Good Samaritan began as an associational ministry in the 1980s. Over the years it grew until the headquarters moved to its present location - a warehouse behind the association offices.

Sherri Brown

Jim Austin, from Blackshear Place Church, Oakwood, counsels with a client. All clients talk privately with a counselor who gets information about the client's needs, but also shares the gospel.

"Good Samaritan gives us a presence in the community," said Jojo Thomas, associational missionary for Chattahoochee Association. "What happens here is well known. It creates an environment where our churches can be more effective. It says something to the community about who we are and it helps us share the gospel."

Every year ten percent of all World Hunger funds collected in Georgia churches stays in the state. But every year there are more requests than can be filled.

"World Hunger giving is down and requests are up," said Ricky Thrasher, consultant for GBC church and community ministries who manages the state funds.

"We never get to honor 100 percent of the (Georgia) requests each year," he said.

The recent influx of hurricane evacuees from the Gulf Coast into Georgia cities has increased hunger fund requests.

"Ministries and churches are meeting hunger needs in their communities and need help. We could use more donations," Thrasher said.

Food ministry is a way to meet immediate needs and give Christians an opportunity to share Christ, Walston said.

"We counsel with every client that comes in here. We get information on all their needs - not just food - and we always share Christ. We've had more than 40 people accept Christ this year through this ministry," Walston said.

"I love this ministry. It's the best thing I've ever done. I'll do this until I retire," he said.

Sherri Brown

A client shows off her son before she leaves with boxes full of food and bread.

World Hunger Sunday is October 9

Ten percent of the special offering stays in Georgia, the rest is divided 80 percent to the International Mission Board and 20 percent to the North American Mission Board. However, 100 percent of the offering is used to purchase food. Funds are never used for administrative costs.

For more information about World Hunger Funds, contact Ricky Thrasher at rthrasher@gabaptist.org or (770) 936-5223 or (800) RING GBC, ext. 223.

You and your church may send World Hunger funds to:
Dr. J. Robert White
Executive Director
The Georgia Baptist Convention
2930 Flowers Road, South
Atlanta, GA 30341-5562