Churches help fill tables, closets

"We want to follow Christ's example,'' says a volunteer with one of several programs that provide physical and spiritual help.

By LISA PEEPLES

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 15, 2000

INVERNESS -- Though many of us take for granted that our tables and closets always runneth over, many right here in Citrus County struggle daily to provide the minimum needs for their families.

In an effort to lighten the burden for single parents, large families, unemployed parents and seniors on fixed incomes, who seem to have the most needs, several local churches provide food and clothing periodically.

The number of people seeking help during the summer is unusually high, mostly because a new school term is always just around the corner.

"It always seems to be very busy during the summer, because there are parents that just can't afford anything and they are looking for clothing for their children for school," said Alma Smith, 79, of Inverness, the coordinator of the Clothes Closet at First Baptist Church of Inverness.

"We always try to help them out. We have a good amount of children's clothes, but we can always use more."

A lot of folks also arrive looking for infant and adult clothing, Smith said, so the Clothes Closet also gives away baby layettes, which include diapers, outfits, blankets and shoes, and adult clothing based on the availability of sizes.

Periodically, the church holds a clothing giveaway, when people can get whatever items they need. About 200 people received help at the last giveaway, Smith said.

Seventeen volunteers donate their time at the apartment-size Clothes Closet. They also share the gospel and give Bibles to those who come through their doors.

"We do this because we love the Lord and we believe in helping people. We give out tracts and Bibles to those that come, because we believe it will make a difference in their lives," Smith said.

She said the volunteers have chosen a Scripture text as their theme verse for the Clothes Closet and the help they provide. The text is found in Ephesians 2:10: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

First Baptist also offers a food pantry for those who need periodic assistance.

The pantry, which is a division of Christian Service Ministry at the church, is coordinated by Jackie Dracy, 72, of Inverness. Dracy, who has been a member of First Baptist since 1982, said there is a tremendous need in the community for food assistance.

"I have 56 volunteers that help there, and we are quite busy. . . . We usually find that we have helped 1,000 to 1,300 people per quarter," she said.

The pantry supplies everything from fruits and vegetables to frozen meats and canned goods, Dracy said.

Though a great deal of effort is needed to keep a pantry of this size running efficiently, Dracy said she would have it no other way.

"We do this because this is our job as Christians, to help others. The Lord tells us in his word to help those who are in need. This does a great deal for me also, because it makes me realize but for the grace of God this could be me in need," she said.

A volunteer for the food pantry at Crystal River United Methodist Church found herself in this quandary several years ago, and had no idea that there were churches willing to help her tackle her difficult situation.

"I was there before, with two small children, a personal illness and in between jobs," said Nancy Slack, 40, of Lecanto, a church member and chairwoman of the Evangelism Committee, which coordinates the food pantry.

"This kind if assistance may have been available then, but I didn't know about it," she said.

Slack said the food, which is distributed by the church on Tuesdays and Thursdays, is in great demand in the Crystal River area.

"We get a lot of inquiries. Last week alone, with the holiday week even, we had about 20 people. The majority of those in need are parents with children in upper elementary and middle school. For so many of them, there is just too much month left for the amount of money they have," she said.

She said her drive to help others comes from her love of God.

"God calls us to do this. It is our responsibility as Christians to help those who are in need," she said.

Fort Cooper Baptist Church in Inverness also provides food.

"We have at least three people a week that call here needing help with food, people that just don't have the money to buy anything," said Doris Watson of Floral City, a church member and co-coordinator of the food pantry for the church.

"We want to help them as much as we can because when Jesus was here on earth and somebody needed help, he helped them. We want to follow Christ's example and help these people."

Watson said that the church distributes cereal, peanut butter, rice, canned vegetables, juice, paper products and sometimes baby items.

"We try to give them something that will help satisfy their need for breakfast, lunch and supper for at least three days. And most of the time, people are very, very appreciative of this," she said.

Watson said staffers also share the gospel and encourage visitors to attend church.

"Our priority here is to try and feed them spiritually and physically. We believe that is what we are called to do," she said.

Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church in Lecanto holds a Harvest Saturday the third Saturday of each month. The next Harvest event is today.

"Anyone who is in need can qualify to receive food at Harvest Saturday," said Diana Stephenson, church receptionist. "We have everything from laundry soap to aspirin, cereal, canned vegetables, coffee, meat, bread and milk."

Last month, about 100 people attended Harvest Saturday, Stephenson said.

"We had a lot of families with a lot of children and some elderly, but it doesn't matter what their age is; we just want to be able to help them," she said.

"When we do this, there is also an opportunity to share the gospel with these people. We want to try to get to know them, reach out to them and also have a relationship with them."

If you need help

The Clothes Closet and food pantry at First Baptist Church of Inverness are open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays.

Fort Cooper Baptist Church in Inverness provides food during emergencies.

Crystal River United Methodist Church distributes food Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church in Lecanto offers food and household goods beginning at 9 a.m. the third Saturday of the month.

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