545 tons. Over 1 million pounds. In 2023 God used the Care Mission Food Pantry volunteers and supporters to distribute 545 tons, over 1 million lbs., of food.
If you had told us when we opened our doors in June 2005 that there would come a time when we would distribute over 1 million lbs. of food in one year, we would have laughed and considered you a loon. In 2022 we distributed over 930,000 lbs., yet even coming that close to the million pound mark, I was still stunned with 2023 total amount.
That food was distributed to record high 28,469 individuals within 8,189 households, with 88% of those individuals being children, senior citizens, or disabled adults. Therefore, only 12% of the individuals served were able bodied adults. This is an important fact to know since it debunks the narrative that many of the folks we serve are just lazy bums using the system and playing on the hearts of Christians. We are not naïve, we understand full well that there are those in our society who are gaming the system. And when we discover individuals involved in that behavior we discontinue assistance to them. After all, 2 Thessalonians 3:10 teaches us,
“If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10
In 2023 we spent $86,380.00 on food, the most we’ve ever had to spend. That accounted for 53% of our total cost of operation, $163,115.00. The highest percentage we’ve ever spent. Perhaps you’ve noticed the higher cost of food lately? God was faithful to provide the funding needed.
However, the purchased food only amounted to 43% of the total amount distributed. God provided the other 57% through donations from various sources including multiple food drives though out the year held by area businesses, civic groups, schools, and others. God was faithful to provide.
Amazon in Chattanooga had been our largest food donor, but they discontinued their donation program in April of 2023. We aren’t certain how God will replace that source but we are confident He will.
We estimate we distributed over 1,200 Bibles in 2023. Many of these Bibles were donated by the Gideons and the American Legion Post 339. We are so grateful for them. Still we spent over $5,000.00 for additional Bibles in order to meet the demand. A variety of Bibles are displayed so clients can help themselves, they are not required to take a Bible in order to receive food assistance. We also include age appropriate Bibles in “Birthday Kits” we give to children who are having a birthday that month. The kit includes a cake mix, frosting, candles, and party favors. Again, God has provided.
We expect 2024 to be no less challenging than 2023. In fact we served more households in January of this year than in any previous January. So we are off to a fast start.
We give God all honor and praise for meeting our needs. And we thank each of you who have been faithful in allowing God to use you in support of His work through this ministry. We understand the enemy will always set up traps and snares to deter those who serve the Lord. So we salute you.
We encourage you to visit our website. Our tech guy and son-n-law, Paul, has made some major improvements. Among them the PayPal fee option. If you prefer to support us via PayPal you can now opt to include their processing fee with your donation. You may have noticed that most restaurants now automatically add the processing fee to your bill when you pay with a card. This is very much the same thing except PayPal doesn’t automatically add the fee to your donation; you have to opt for it.
And on our website is the video “God Bless the Ride” produced by Kelsey Digital Media, LLC, aka our baby girl, Kelsey. The short video highlights the 2023 Benefit Ride hosted by IDMC and promotes the upcoming 2024 Benefit Ride scheduled for May 11th. The video can also be viewed on our FaceBook page and on our YouTube channel.
A video about Whoville 2023 is in the works and will be added to our website once completed. Whoville was a huge success. Hats off to Event Coordinator Hope Spears. See ya at Whoville 2024!
Our 19th Annual Day of Praise will be held at Gospel Light Christian Fellowship Church on June 22nd. This evening is set aside for us to give God praise for all He has done for and through the Care Mission over the past 19 years. Please make plans to join us. More details to come.
Food for thought;
In many ways our Nation is in unchartered territory. Never in America’s history has it been so unpopular to be a Christian. Never before has speaking and standing on the Judeo-Christian values that are the foundation of our society been so offensive to so many. Never in America’s nearly 250 years has proclaiming the God’s honest truth been as fiercely condemned as hate speech.
As Christians we should not be surprised. After all what we are living in now is the natural progression of secularism into the spaces once held by the Body of Believers known as the Church. The Church began to relinquish its God given authority and responsibility to serve and care for the least among us when our secular government began to claim that authority and responsibility for themselves.
And that shift has been to the great detriment of the least and to our nation.
Today whole denominations have turned away from the teachings of Jesus Christ in order to worship at the altar of political correctness. And who is their god?
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Romans 1:21
Is it too late for America? Has God removed His hand from us completely? I cannot say. Regardless we are called to be Light in a dark world until Christ’s return. As Christians we believe Christ fights our battles, but that does not mean we are to retreat from the battlefield. It is not political viewpoints we fight for but rather moral truths. We fight not for rights granted to us by men, since those are fleeting.
No, it is the unalienable Rights endowed to us by our Creator that we cannot surrender.
Thanks for your support.
Be Blessed,
Deon and Kendra