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 The Food Bank was established 17 years ago as an outgrowth of our Church's Benevolence Committee. At that time, many people were coming to our church asking for assistance with food, clothing, and other needs. Over the years we have made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of people as we share Jesus in a tangible way. More>> | ||||
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The Santa Shoppe is a Green Valley Baptist Church family ministry that is handled and provided through the Food Bank program. This ministry provides Christmas for 100+ families and 200+ children. More>> | ||||
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The Clothes Closet was started almost 16 years ago so that we could help others like God instructs us to do. On the 3rd Tuesday of each month the Clothes Closet is open to give clothing away. More>> | ||||
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The Food Bank was established 17 years ago as an outgrowth of our Church’s Benevolence Committee. At that time, many people were coming to our church asking for assistance with food, clothing, and other needs. Over the years we have made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of people as we share Jesus in a tangible way. Today, many people continue to approach us for help during their difficult or emergency times and we are striving to meet their needs as Jesus would do. Our Food Bank is a United Way Food Bank. We have a budget which covers food orders that we get from them, paying only $.11 a pound. We also purchase retail supplemental items, such as toiletry items, detergents, and diapers. We qualify participants as they come using the USDA qualifications from United Way Food Bank. We help people in the Hoover related zip codes 35226, 35216, 35244, 35242, 35023 and 35022; however, we serve others on a one-time emergency basis. Our referrals come from the United Way Referral Service, other churches, school counselors, our church and social workers. Those we help are people who encounter the everyday problems we all face, such as health, loss of job, fire loss and family breakups. etc.; however, they do not enjoy the support systems we enjoy and take so very much for granted. Much gratitude is expressed by those we help. The fall months, October, November, and December, provide many opportunities for Food Bank volunteers to make a difference in the lives of many needy people in our community by sharing the love of Christ in many tangible ways. The number of people needing help increases during these months because of many factors, such as school costs, increasing, utility bills, Christmas, etc On our Open Day in each of these months, we anticipate an average of 100 families coming for help. Our Clothes Closet, Furniture Hut and Santa Shoppe work in conjunction with the Food Bank in meeting the various needs of these families. We have many resources at our disposal to use as we share: We have Jesus Christ as our focus and thus can share His love by giving food free of charge (approximately $150.00 retail each family) to those-who need it. We have a loving, compassionate Church (GVBC), who supports us prayerfully as well as monetarily. We also have community support. We can offer counseling and Godly guidance. We have the resources of the Clothes Closet, Furniture Ministry and Santa Shoppe to provide other needs. We have between 90 and 100 willing and able volunteers who faithfully allow the oil of the Holy Spirit to burn brightly as they reflect God's love to others. As you can see, God has blessed us immensely since inception of the Food Bank 17 years ago by allowing us to speak God's truth while at the same time showing our love for Him through action. The following are ways you can be involved in the Food Bank Ministry: 1. Pray for the Food Bank recipients and the volunteers. 2. Become a volunteer in this ministry. Call the church office at: 822-2173 3. Provide monetarily (after your church tithe) to the Food Bank designated account. This account pays for operating expenses, turkeys at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the Santa Shoppe. NOTE: THIS MINISTRY WILL ACCEPT AND APPRECIATE ANY MONETARY DONATIONS. ALL DONATIONS AND GIFTS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. |
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Our ministry is based on Matthew 25: 44-46. "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." MOST NEEDED ITEMS: Washers and dryers, bedroom furniture, i.e. bed frames for beds. Any size. Chest of drawers, end tables, mattresses of all sizes, kitchen items, i.e. chairs and tables, refrigerators, Stoves, Living Room/Den items, i.e. Couches, living room chairs, end tables, televisions and VCRS, and computers. We could use at least 10 PC monitors. Anything that is serviceable including lamps, sheets, blankets, pots and pans, and coffee makers. NOTE: In addition to needing the PC monitors, we have been praying that we could teach computer skills but we need 6 used laptop Pentium computers in order to have enough for classes. Please tell your friends, neighbors, co-workers about our Furniture Ministry to help this ministry to grow and be able to provide to those in need. We pickup and deliver. Please call the church office 822-2173 to make arrangements for a pickup. NOTE: THIS MINISTRY WILL ACCEPT AND APPRECIATE ANY MONETARY DONATIONS. ALL DONATIONS AND GIFTS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
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The Santa Shoppe gifts are distributed differently than most charitable organizations by allowing the families the opportunity to choose and bag appropriate gifts for their family. This is coordinated with the assistance of a shoppe volunteer. Each family is allowed to choose a designated number of gifts per applicable family member(s). This way they actually select their child's gifts and feel a sense of pride on Christmas morning. Each child receives 6-8 stocking stuffers, 2 medium size toys, 1 larger toy, socks, underwear and an outfit of clothing. In addition, gloves, hats, shoes and coats are provided while our supply lasts. Each family is given a family gift of towels, blanket, etc. and a bag of candy. Unfortunately, we do not have the means to give personal gifts to the parents. We do, however, have a small group of elderly that we give a sweater, robe, shirt, etc. Most of these live alone and our gift is sometimes the only gift they will receive. All during the year our Santa Shoppe volunteers and selected shoppers look for bargains. Through designated offerings, most of the items we purchase are at a reduction of 75 - 90 percent. It is amazing to actually feel God leading us to special sales. As we are led from one bargain to another we are often asked how many children we have since we are buying such large quantities. This gives us the opportunity to not only share our ministry but to share how God works in In August of each year, we put up our Angel Tree giving the members of Green Valley an opportunity to help provide some of the items needed. Without the Angel Tree the Santa Shoppe would not be the success it is. In 2002, several Sunday School classes and families provided 21 new bicycles. This was a first for us and it made a lot of children really happy since many had never owned a new bicycle. Green Valley Baptist Church is very blessed with so many giving people. I cannot tell you the wonderful things our members do through the year that make Christmas brighter for many children and families. Another project we do to collect funds for the Santa Shoppe is our 2-day Garage Sale. Most of our items are provided by our church members, however, friends and neighbors also donate very generously. This year was our largest money maker and we felt very blessed and excited! NOTE: THIS MINISTRY WILL ACCEPT AND APPRECIATE ANY MONETARY DONATIONS. ALL DONATIONS AND GIFTS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
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| † In Matthew 25:35 it says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink . . . I needed clothes and you clothed me . . .” A faithful servant said, “Lord, when did I see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? . . . When did you need clothes and I clothe you? . . . “ God said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” The Clothes Closet was started almost 16 years ago so that we could help others like God instructs us to do. On the 3rd Tuesday of each month the Clothes Closet is open to give clothing away. We work alongside the Food Bank here at Green Valley Baptist Church. People are asked to place orders listing family members and needed sizes. These orders are filled while the recipient shops in the Food Bank. The Clothes Closet is usually able to give several outfits to each member of the family. The Clothes Closet serves an average of 45 families per month. Many of these are Food Bank recipients, but we also receive referrals from school counselors, community leaders and church members. When donating to the Clothes Closet, please keep in mind these guidelines. All clothing should be clean, in excellent condition and current style. This clothing is going to help people in the Hoover area. We feel that it is important to give clothing we would not mind wearing ourselves. It is important that we help others. This is an easy way to do so. We have all been blessed with so much! We need to make sure that we are a blessing to others. NOTE: THIS MINISTRY WILL ACCEPT AND APPRECIATE ANY MONETARY DONATIONS. ALL DONATIONS AND GIFTS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE |
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our lives.