By Teri Caswell/Guest Columnist
Thank you, Loretta, for allowing me to be your “guest writer” this week. I don’t know if I can measure up to your many adventures, but I can let folks know what is happening with two of our nonprofits here in Malakoff.
It’s been quite a busy holiday season so far! The month started out with the sixth Produce Drop at First Baptist Church on Mitcham Street. Since July, the East Texas Food Bank has been delivering up to five pallets of fresh produce to Malakoff for anyone who needs it. The volunteers from Faith In Action Outreach, Care & Share Food Pantry in Gun Barrel City, Mabank Area Good Samaritans and Community Food Pantry in Tool have been distributing the produce. People sign in around 9:00 or 9:30 a.m. and the produce arrives sometime between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. FBC Malakoff now allows everyone to wait inside their children’s building so they are not out in the hot sun, rain or cold. Since we began, there have been some “growing pains” as we have tried to improve the distribution system. Now we have it down to a drive through system which takes lots less time, and is much easier on our volunteers. We have been serving an average of 90 people each month. The next Produce Drop will be Tuesday, January 6, 2015 and every first Tuesday of the month, weather permitting.
FIAO Coat and Blanket drive started the first week of December, with Antiques On Royall, Wild Horse Boutique, Hallelujah Furniture, Lakehouse Outfitters and Mitchell Outdoor Living all giving customers who bring a new blanket and/or coat a discount on certain items at their locations. First State Bank also has collection boxes set up for receiving blankets. United Healthcare donated 30 blankets, the SCI class is collecting, and the National Honor Society at Malakoff High School has brought us too many to count. The CNA class at Cross Roads also got involved and brought about 100 coats and 40 blankets. It just makes me so happy to see our community come together to help our neighbors who need assistance, especially when I see our youth get involved!
If you don’t know, Faith In Action Outreach has several services available now. Of course, our main ministry is our food pantry which serves an average of 379 families per month — that’s approximately 1,895 individuals — with food and clothing. We also give 104 bags of food to Malakoff, Eustace, Cross Roads and Trinidad elementary children who might not otherwise have food to eat on the weekend. We help people when they are not able to pay for their medication. And, beginning in January or February, we plan to open an “internet café” of sorts on Monday through Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. with laptop computers that were donated to us by United Healthcare. A firm opening date has not yet been determined, but will definitely be early 2015.
The Salvation Army Malakoff Service Unit kicked off the yearly Kettle Drive the day after Thanksgiving. This year, they set up kettles at Brookshire’s and Exxon/McDonald’s for the first week and took in about $400 more than they did the whole month of December 2013. Last year’s ice storm and bitterly cold weather the first week of December really hampered their donations, so this year’s milder weather was a much needed blessing. The whole community has gotten involved in ringing the bell
for the Salvation Army, and even the youngest of our citizens has been involved. Riley McCleary, oldest daughter of Cody and Stacey McCleary, performed her own “dance recital” while she was ringing the bell, and probably collected the most money of anyone so far because so many folks enjoyed her sweet performance. First State Bank employees, Acme Brick employees, First Baptist Church members and many others have volunteered so far. Even volunteers who live in Athens have been giving their time, including Tami Hooe, Marlena Taylor, and this past Friday, Jeff Weinstein and Michael Hannigan came to ring the bell for the Malakoff Service Unit. What a blessing! This week, Citizens National Bank employees, Mrs. Hancock’s SCI class, the National Honor Society, and the FFA from Malakoff High School will be volunteering at the Kettle Drive at Brookshire’s. By the way, if you don’t already know, all the donations made at the Malakoff locations, stay right here in Malakoff to help our citizens and those in Trinidad and Cross Roads area. The Kettle Drive will end on Monday, December 22, and we thank each and everyone who has helped to raise money and awareness for The Salvation Army Malakoff Service Unit.
By the way, the Board of Directors for the local Service Unit are led by Dr. Walter Bingham, chairperson, Lana Perkins, Treasurer, myself as Secretary/Client Assistance Coordinator, Eva Wright, Kettle Drive Coordinator, Michael Voyles, and Todd Weaver. This Board was formed last year in November, and has been working hard to improve awareness of the services available. The Service Unit now has office hours at Faith In Action Outreach Center each Monday through Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
Well, that’s all I have room to report on right now. Again, thanks Loretta, for the opportunity to share with folks! Merry Christmas!