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Grant to Expand Allegan (MI) Food Pantry
ALLEGAN, MI (January 7, 2004) - Christ Community Church's food pantry will
expand its ministry scope with the help of a recent grant of $10,000
from the Churches Planting Ministries initiative administered through
Covenant Ministries of Benevolence of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
The grant will assist the church food pantry, known as The Vine, to
cover operational expenses for the next two years - primarily utilities
and food purchases. The Great Lakes Conference has approved the effort
and Pastor Patrick White said the ministry will be further assisted
later this year by construction of a 40-by-40-foot pole barn on church
property.
The Vine began six years ago after a New Jersey man sent an unsolicited
seed check of $500 to establish a local food pantry. Local church
representatives Earl and Pat Gillette operate the ministry out of a
small room in the church and minister to about 20 families each week.
During the past year and a half, three families from the church have
given seed money - including one $15,000 donation - and those dollars
are primarily earmarked for future construction costs. Christ Community
originally requested funding for the building project. Approval instead
was granted for funding an already established ministry. The church has
entered into partnership with a local parachurch ministry called Love
I.N.C. to better serve the community.
Christ Community's work has been important on two levels, White says. It
has allowed some parishioners to benefit from the food ministry during
difficult times. And some of the community's families that have
benefited from the food pantry are now involved in the life of the church.
The poor state of the economy is a factor, too. The region in Michigan
where Christ Community is located has an unusually high unemployment
rate - twice the national rate - and food pantries like Christ
Community's are getting a lot more use. White says he is grateful for
the way that his congregation has responded to the increased needs. The
church recently "adopted" eight families and gave them one month's
supply of groceries, along with Christmas gifts.
"Every step of the way where it could fail, the Lord has provided a
way," White said. "And (with a new building) we'll have room to take in
large food donations. We think it will someday serve as a community food
pantry. This has worked together beautifully like a puzzle."
For more information about The Vine and Christ Community's other
ministries, call White at 269-673-2329.
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