They are a faith-based organization that has fed the hungry and helped the homeless since 1963. Valley Rescue Mission, like other nonprofits in our area, feels the impact of the government shutdown and SNAP’s impending pause tomorrow, November 1.
“We can’t fix world hunger, but what we can do is feed local hungry families. We distribute about 15 bags of food each day. Our Loaves and Fishes program provides a warm, nutritious meal for about 120 men, women, and children every afternoon from Monday through Friday,” said Mission CEO Mike Gaymon.
Some of the food distributed or prepared in the Mission’s kitchen comes from Feeding the Valley. As we reported yesterday, the organization sells food at 19 cents a pound to Valley Rescue Mission and more than 300 other partners involved in addressing food insecurity.
Because of the shutdown, Feeding the Valley is also feeling the pinch of food shortages from its USDA food sources. The result is limited resources and empty pantries for Valley Rescue Mission and other areas served across West Georgia and East Alabama. Between 15% and 30% of all residents in those areas make ends meet with SNAP benefits.
Even with cooler temperatures, the heat can rise when people are hungry and desperate.
“We are doing what we can within our dining capacity, which is 120 according to the Fire Marshal,” said Gaymon, “but our kitchen staff was feeling the heat when higher numbers of people than we could accommodate for the afternoon meal got angry when turned away. We had to hire a police officer to be present during Loaves and Fishes for our safety and theirs.”
Gaymon believes those higher numbers were a result of Safehouse Ministries shutting down their daycare program at the end of July, which included daily meals. To support families helped by Valley Rescue Mission, click here.
Publix has been a strong supporter of both Valley Rescue Mission and Feeding the Valley through grants and food donations. The supermarket chain also supports St. Anne’s Community Outreach program.
“Families with children and seniors over 65 on a fixed income are our main concern. The 31903-zip code is categorized as one of the poorest zip codes in the entire state, the need here is extreme,” said Kelly Tolman, St. Anne Community Outreach Program Director.
Publix is supplying more than 200 grocery bags of food for St. Anne’s members to distribute. Still, there is a need for donations. To contribute to St. Anne’s Community Outreach Program, click here.
If you know of someone who needs help, United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley has an extensive list of area food pantries and meal delivery options. Click here for more information or call 211.
Some of you may have grown up watching Mr. Rogers, who once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me,”Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
