FOOD PANTRY OPENING HIGHLIGHTS
December 17, 2024
Well that’s a wrap for Care Ministries 2024. It’s been a year of change for our team and families. Most notably changing our opening from twice a month to once. We lost a few families but strengthened those we have. The blessings we are able to share to each of our families is through our church budget allocation and individual gifts so many of you have given.
Our Christmas opening was a blessing to all of us. We were very busy as expected. Each family received their normal allocation of food in addition to a Christmas dinner bag with either a ham or turkey. The smiles and tears of joy was all we needed to see. A few families who have never really shared their story did yesterday. We were so busy we forgot to take pictures. Forever memories were created.
Thank you is not enough for the generosity shown by Gayton Baptist Church and friends. Over 100 angels were adopted for our Care Ministries families and Better2gether children. Our ties to Better2gether are continuing to grow. This year we hosted the Better2gether holiday wrapping party filling 4 cars full of gifts.
Donations are continuing at a fast pace. We have been blessed by St Giles Church, Fox Hall Community Drive, Gayton members and bible study classes, Short Pump Rotary, Barbara Hammond's Dance families, our ASQ families and for the first time the Nuckols Farm Elementary food drive in January. Our shelves are overflowing, allowing us to help our families in other ways.
There is so much more to tell that I’m forgetting. To sum up our year – joy and blessings. The feeling of helping others feels good to your soul.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. We will reopen January 7 (before if an emergency arises).
Gayton's Care Ministry receives NBC12 Acts of Kindness recognition
Our food pantry received an NBC12 Acts of Kindness recognition last week and the TV segment aired Sept. 14. Mike, Amy and I were humbled to receive this as we are doing something we love and showing our passion to help others. While we received this recognition, our volunteers play a critical role in the pantry's success. One of our volunteers and long term family member, Julie Bryant, nominated us and you will hear some of her story in the news segment.
We thank each of you for any part you've played in our mission.
Thank you,
Carolyn, Mike, and Amy
