Nancy Taylor: Greene Publishing, Inc.
As the holidays approach there is a growing need for help among some households in Madison County. There are many elderly and families on limited incomes who are unable to consistently place nutritious meals on their tables on a daily basis, and the thought of any sort of special holiday meal is almost completely out of the question.
That is where churches and civic organizations can help.
In previous years, Consolidated Christian Ministries (CCM) -located here in Madison - has been able to provide many of these families and individuals with special holiday baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas as a way of meeting needs and showing the love and compassion of Jesus.
The problem is that in recent years both the amount of donations and the number of volunteers have dwindled. Most of the volunteers at CCM are now well past retirement age themselves, and several of them are partially disabled (although you would not know it from the attitude they have toward the opportunity to serve).
So, what can you do?
Consider making a special monetary donation to the ministry and talk to your church family and ask them to consider making CCM a monthly sponsored ministry.
Volunteer! CCM would welcome additional volunteers. If you have the time (one or two days a week or month), to help bag groceries, drive to Tallahassee or Valdosta to pick up food items, take groceries to the clients’ vehicles; help with record keeping, etc. whatever your gifting is, CCM could use you. Willingness and availability are the qualifications. CCM is located at 799-C SW Pinckney St., in Madison, and the phone number is (850) 973-6208.
“Then the King (Jesus) will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (John 25:34-40, NIV)