A donation from the local chapter of Lions Club International will help support The Potter’s Storehouse for this month.
The Potter’s Storehouse (TPS) in Jonesville — led by Pastor Don Moore — operates on a month-to-month basis. Its programs which provide food to thousands of needy people in Union County are funded by generous donations of local businesses, organizations, civic groups and individuals.
Local members of Lions Club International wanted to pitch in to help with the TPS cause, and at their July meeting this past Thursday, the group donated $1,000 to TPS along with another $500 donated by other organizations and individuals.
The donations were presented Moore by Lion Johnny Sinclair and Lions Club President Amy Hughes. Hughes said the club donation was in keeping with its efforts to serve the community.
“Our club motto is ‘We Serve’ and we want to do what we can for our community,” Hughes said. “Pastor Moore has started a program that has benefited our community and we want to support him wholeheartedly.”
Sinclair said $250 was donated by the Table of Wisdom, $200 by the David Clyburn Sunday School class at Grace United Methodist, and $50 by an individual donor who wished to remain anonymous. Sinclair called on the public to support Moore and The Potters Storehouse in their effort to feed the needy of Union County.
“If you really want to see a miracle, go to The Potters Storehouse and see all the people Pastor Don feeds with just a little bit of money,” Sinclair said. “I would urge the people of Union to at least volunteer their time. It takes about 40 people to get this thing turned out twice a month. I appreciate what Pastor Don does, if it wasn’t for him a lot of people in Union would go hungry.”
Pastor Don Moore said the donations were a blessing, as June was a “good news, bad news” kind of month.
As for good news, there were 25 new families added to the list of those who receive food at TPS distributions. Also, TPS was $250 short when it was time to pay its $750-plus power bill (the church runs two walk-in freezers in addition to 14 other freezers), and church members raise it among themselves.
“One gentleman gave $100 he had saved to pay another bill,” Moore said. “He said he was moved to donate by the Lord. He did not want to allow our power to be disconnected at TPS. All of our freezers are full.”
The bad news for June, however, was that although Second Harvest Food Bank of Charlotte — TPS’s primary source for food — offered a limited-time-only food special of 5 cents per pound, TPS was not able to take advantage of the deal. The costs of truck rentals, fuel and the food itself are funded solely by donations, and no donations came in during June to help.
“It broke my heart,” Moore said.
In addition to hefty power bills and a tab with Second Harvest, TPS is also having problems with its delivery van.
“It’s very unreliable and constantly breaks down when we are out picking up food,” Moore said, adding that he is currently looking for a church or group that may have a dependable van to donate.
Moore said donations are appreciated now as much as ever, and he requests prayers from those who are willing.
“Please pray to lift up TPS,” Moore said. “For without God, none of the things we do would be possible.”
Moore said he has also received calls on a daily basis from those who are in need of fans or window air conditioning units. Anyone who is interested in donating such items to those in need may do so by contacting Pastor Don.
“I know I’m always asking for donations, but feeding 4,000-6,000 people every month takes a lot of food,” Moore said.
TPS also hosts mini-distributions every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m.-12 noon. Those distributions consist of perishable items donated by Walmart that TPS is unable to store.
The next regular TPS food distribution event will take place July 28.
Anyone who would like to donate to TPS or receive more info about the programs should contact Pastor Don Moore at (864) 680-3465.
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