JONESVILLE — As The Potter’s Storehouse in Jonesville prepares to celebrate its fourth anniversary, the food distribution program continues to grow throughout Union County.
Pastor Don Moore of The Potter’s Storehouse (TPS) said the program provided food for 4,300 people last month, which covers 1,973 households. He said those numbers are about average for the distribution events as of late.
“We haven’t been back to the 6,000 mark, which is a good thing,” Moore said. “We’ve been holding steady to 4,000 to 4,500 people a month, but we’re growing.”
Even though the average number of people served at TPS events in Jonesville has stayed the same, the program has branched out, forming partnerships around the county.
TPS partners with Trinity Baptist Church and Pastor Neil Keisler, providing food for about 150 families per month. TPS also partners with the Town of Carlisle, providing food for approximately 100 families per month with distributions at the town hall.
“We try to do everything we can to reach the people we aren’t able to get to and those who can’t get to us,” Moore said.
TPS’s newest active partnership is with First Presbyterian Church in Union, which formed a ministry called Feed My Sheep. On Thursday, 25 overflowing boxes of food were distributed to families who provided proof that they needed it. Moore said there was even extra food there that the Feed My Sheep ministry was able to give away. He also said he was particularly happy to see those who picked up the food talk with the Rev. Keith Morrison about their lives and ask for prayer.
“It’s encouraging to see people come looking for more than food,” Moore said. “So many times they come to get what they can and go, but they knew they needed more than just food.”
Those involved are not finished building the food distribution program. Moore said there are a couple more churches in the area that will begin similar programs in coming weeks, which will enable the program to reach more people.
“That has been one of our desires since we started,” Moore said. “As time goes on, pastors and churches as a whole are realizing it’s not about The Potter’s Storehouse serving all the food and getting all the credit. It’s about serving the kingdom and getting food to those who need it.”
As the program continues to grow, more support will be needed. Moore said he is still working to raise money to buy a box truck for picking up food. He said $1,300 is still needed for the purchase of the truck in addition to $500 for touch-up and lettering and the cost of insurance.
“We need all the help we can get,” Moore said. “Right now, I could be picking up food two to three days a week if we had the truck.”
Moore said donations are also needed for costs including an $852.92 power bill and an $832 bill owed to Second Harvest Food Bank.
TPS is also in need of volunteer service. Moore said he always needs volunteers on Fridays before the distributions.
“This past Friday we only had five people,” he said. “We need about 20 to make over 600 boxes. Sometimes, we have had more than enough help. Some of them think we don’t need the help and quit coming. But we do need it. Any help is greatly appreciated.”
The TPS food distribution event on Oct. 13 will be held in celebration of the program’s fourth anniversary. Look for more information about the details of the event as they become available in future editions of The Union Daily Times or at www.uniondailytimes.com.
To learn more about The Potter’s Storehouse, to make a donation or to volunteer, contact Pastor Don Moore at (864) 680-3465.
Post a Comment
