This Is Why We Do What We Do
Thought this would be something to share with everyone. Many times people are hungry and although there are food pantries around they do not have the means to get the food. Sometimes they are too proud to let anyone know how dire their situation is, especially family members. I went to see my grandson who lives in south Georgia a couple of weeks ago. I don't see him often as it is about a 3-hour drive, so when I do I try to take them food that may help them out. I know they live from pay check to pay check but never in my life did I realize how bad their situation is! When I got there and helped them put the food away I couldn't believe my eyes! There wasn't one thing in their freezer. Although I bought groceries for them, the food bank made it possible for me to leave them something for several meals. It is amazing how God either leads those in need to you or leads you to those in need. Thank you for what you do and what you make it possible for us to do.
March 30, 2022, Hampton First Baptist wrote:
I would like to personally thank you for the great job that you are doing by providing food to so many. The food distribution has been a tremendous blessing to the members of our church and to our community. Thank you again for all you do to help others. Keep up the good work.
We got this letter today, March 24, 2022, and would like to share it with you. This is why we do what we do.
Just a quick note to tell you that the food distribution over this past year (that I have been involved as a recipient) has been an untold blessing. The food has supplemented my family while I have not been able to work. Because of your hard work and outreach, my family as well as others, I'm sure). have had more robust and healthier diets. Sincere appreciation and gratitude for all you do. Sharla R. Henry Co. GA
QUOTES FROM PARTNERS:
"I share with a lady who is a true tool of God. He has put us together to reach out and provide products to the community such as a local church that prepares food for children who would not eat. She helps make it possible for them to give the children at least one meal a day. She shares with a home that helps mentally challenged adults who do not have the means to always provide what they need. Because of her, they have produce, meat, drinks, snacks, and other products they do not often have available. We reach a family that lives on a very small income from Social Security. This is only a sample of the blessings we are able to bestow to individuals and families in need each week."
"One family I help runs out of food and does not qualify for food stamps. Without the products, we pick up each week from GAFRC they would go hungry until their check comes in the first of the month."
"Among the people I help is a neighbor who has 8 children and there is 2 adults in the home. They have told me they do not know what they would do if it were not for me sharing my products from GAFRC each week."
"I helped a neighbor who has throat cancer and when we were blessed with strawberries I shared them with him. They were so grateful because I found out all he can have is smoothies. God is Good!"
Each story comes with gratitude for the staff, and volunteers of GAFRC who work so hard to make this possible and most of all the donors who is the heart of it all. They, as well as GAFRC, cannot thank you, the donors, enough for what you do.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One family our group helps is a nurse and her husband is a police officer. He had COVID in July 2020 and has been in the hospital since, and they will not let him come home. They have 3 boys. She struggles every week to make ends meet and sometimes doesn't have enough food, especially for extras, like snacks.
This same group goes to a homeless place near her home called a tent city and shares food there. Their eyes light up and shine when they see her coming because they know they will have food.
Her church cooks and feeds the homeless twice a week and she helps supplement their pantry in order to make this possible.
Another family she helps is a grandmother who took her 4 grandchildren in. Her situation is dire at the moment, she has no gas to cook with so they have to use wood, which some of the neighbors provide. Our partner almost comes to tears when she sees the children's faces light up when they see her coming.
She also spoke of our awesome volunteers and how they make her smile when she comes. Even if she isn't smiling when she arrives she leaves with a lighter heart and a smile. That is a two-way street, we are so blessed to share our mission with people like her and her husband. It is a lot of work but so rewarding it makes it all worthwhile.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of our groups shared how they impacted families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. "We've helped many families with their Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. One of the families has 6 kids ages 2 months - 14 years old. The husband has been out of work and the mother stays home with the children when he does work.
We also help families in a low-income housing community. If they don't use all we give them they pass it on to another family,
where they live. that needs help. The gratitude of the families we help just makes us want to help all we can.
At Christmas, my daughters, son-in-law & granddaughters were able to take presents and a meal I cooked from food that was from GAFRC on Christmas Day. My family received a blessing from being able to bless a family in need.
What our friends say about us...
O K. and T.-
I seriously do not have the adequate words to thank you both for what you did today! I am blown away at how amazing God is. I just wanted to send y'all an update--
J.- a single mom of two girls ages 4 and 6
S.- a single mom of a 2-year-old little girl
A.- a single mom of two boys ages 4 and 7
M.- a single mom of a 4-year-old little girl and 7-month-old little boy
They were all just about in tears. All of those ladies are moms whose husbands literally woke up one day and just walked out on their family. Some of them work two or three jobs, some make too much to qualify for food stamps yet too little to adequately provide as a single parent, and some of them do get help from outside resources yet it's still not enough to make ends meet. They would never be the type to reach out and ask for help. I literally called each one of them and said "hey I'm coming over with some food!” They are the SWEETEST ladies I have ever met. The moms of older kids said that with all the money they have recently spent getting their kids ready for school; this could not have come at a more perfect time. Angelica said that earlier today one of her boys was asking for pineapple, which they don't have, and y'all gave me/them pineapple! Totally GOD!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to help in any way I can. I love this mission. Even if we're just helping sort food or delivering, I would love to help! Not to mention that our daughter, Abby, would be perfectly content pitching a tent in your yard and moving in ;) She cried the whole way home because she didn't want to leave! Anyway, I just wanted to thank y'all and let y'all know how much the food was appreciated!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You have the most wonderful volunteers and staff. When we pick up no matter how bad we may feel when we arrive we drive away with a smile and a lighter heart just from the warm and friendly reception we get each week.