Children don’t always understand economics very well. However, they do understand if their stomachs ache from hunger, if they don’t have decent clothing or socks and underwear, and if they get no presents for Christmas.   

Central Georgia Christian Food Bank (CGCFB) has been providing food to the needy families in our area.   This year we want to provide extras both locally and for some extremely poor families in Appalachia .

A ministry of Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church (LOPC),  Central Georgia Christian Food Bank has been providing items to local area food banks including those at:  Grace Fellowship Church, Lakeside Church, Penfield Christian Home, Toomsboro Baptist Church, Harvest Baptist Church in Newton county, an alcohol recovery center in Sandersville, the Department of Family and Children’s Services in Putnam county, the Salvation Army in Athens, and through LOPC’s benevolence programs.  More than 80,000 pounds – or nearly 40 tons – of food has been distributed in the past year.

But there are places with much greater needs than in our area.  In communities where poverty took hold years ago with the closing of factories, textile mills, and coalmines, the situation is much worse than here. There is no one to help.  Again, it is the children who suffer the most and understand the least.

During the last year, CGCFB delivered 15,000 pounds of surplus food to Anawalt , WV , an isolated, poverty community. The median income is around than $13,000 and the average value of a home is around $15,000 in Anawalt.   Families struggle to exist.  It’s a struggle for each family and there is no one to help others.

When CGCFB made a delivery to there in August, the cupboards were practically bare when they arrived.  The people are always so appreciative of any effort to help, reports Addison Crews, chairman of CGCFB.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if we could provide these families with a nice Thanksgiving meal?” said Gene Edwards, a board member of CGCFB who was helping deliver the food.

Now, CGCFB is striving to raise enough money to help families here and they are planning a special Thanksgiving food delivery in Anawalt , WV , on Nov. 16-17.   

Many in our community have been truly blessed and have a heart to share with those who are less fortunate.  If you are willing to bring smiles to the faces of children, please make a donation to the Central Georgia Christian Food Bank.  Mail donations to: CGCFB, 113 Scott Road , Eatonton , GA 31024 or call (706) 484-0600 for more information.  This is a ministry of Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church.  Central Georgia Christian Food Bank (a 501c3) will send you a receipt and donations are tax deductible.