Angel Food Ministries customers urged to contact host sites asap

It has been more than two years since our organization partnered with Angel Food Ministries. Even though we discontinued our participation we have reports from clients who still purchase food boxes from local host sites. If this is you, and if you ordered for September, we urge you to contact your local host site asap. 

Angel Food Ministries has suspended their food box program effective this month.  We got word today and wanted to pass the information along. Our executive director attempted to telephone for more information but only got through to an answering machine. The system advised that the mailbox was full so no message could be left.

The Angel Food Ministries website says that EBT refunds are still being processed. They advise debit and credit card customers to check with their bank about refunded payments. There was no mention on the answering machine and when payments will be refunded to customers who paid cash.

Many of you will have made your checks out to a church or to a local host site organization. The organization or host site was required by Angel Food Ministries to send all funds to them. 

If we have worked with who are facing food shortage may contact us. We will attempt to refer you to a food pantry in your area. Although the economy is potentially improving the economic downturn has taken its toll. We make no promises of any kind that the food pantry we may refer you to will still be in operation. But, we will do our best to make referrals to help you feed your families. 

Those of you who want more information about the shutdown can check the website of Angel Food Ministries.

Getting an education from online Walden University

Are you familiar with Walden University? We weren’t until a student there asked us about doing an online survey. She has been professional and courteous at all times. Best of all, she is sensitive to the plight of victims of sexual and domestic violence. What school could have a better representative?

We know that some of the folks we work with will be heading back to school. There is no better way to move out of poverty than to get an education.

When selecting a school it’s important to choose a quality institution that fits your schedule. The Chronicle has information about the quality of education that Walden University offers.

Walden University is an online institution of higher learning. They offer both bachelor degrees and also advanced degree programs. Some of the programs do require that you already have had some preexisting college credit before enrolling.

Another consideration is how to pay for school. People are surprised at how affordable an education can be. Victims of domestic violence may often qualify for grants that never have to be paid back. There are also scholarships and loans to help fund an education. A financial aid advisor at the university can help you find the financial resources to pay for your education. Talk with them. You may be surprised at what they come up with.

Another Food Box Finds a Home

Another food box found a home. The lady who stopped in expressed gratitude for the help.

To her, the pantry food box didn't just mean that her family would eat; it meant that someone cared. She was at the ministry center for awhile talking about her life. She seemed to need to talk as much as she needed the food. We were glad to be there for her.

To those who help stock our little food pantry we appreciate it. You help us make a difference for others.

New Intern Set to Change Lives

We have a new intern who is set to change lives. Samantha came on Tuesday for her first visit to the Ministry Center. We showed her around and talked about what we do. She seems excited at the thoughts of working with the kids. I am excited to get her started and sent her out with homework.

Look for her posts here. She's going to be a guest blogger this summer and share her insights.

Allie will also be returning this summer. This will be her 3rd and final year. It is project that she will be going to Sudan after graduating from college in summer 2010. Her plans are to teach music to high school students in that country. She too will be a guest blogger.

Also joining us soon will be two other students. Both of these kids are joining us for a few weeks through stimulus money.

We are excited and deeply appreciative to have so many extra hands this summer.

Come visit us and see what we are doing!

Angel Food Pick up Saturday March 21

Don't forget. The Angel Food pick up is Sat. March 21. Be sure to get your food box between 10 & 10:30 am. Any food not picked up will be given to a needy family or charitable organization.

Our address is
3130 W Old Andrew Johnson Hwy.
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871

See you then!

Got toys? If not, come to Strawberry Plains. Our charity might be able to help.

We still have a few todays available. These are from our office in downtown Strawberry Plains. These are by appointment only. A limited number of food pantry boxes are available. However; we are out of traditional Christmas food items. Residents of Strawberry Plains should call 964.6673 for an appointment.

Biden tells ABC he will Chair Middle Class Task Force

On the ABC program "This Week", Vice President-elect Joe Biden announced that he will chair a new Middle Class Task Force. In the interview with George Stephanopoulos, Biden said that the Task Force will examine "everything from college affordability to after-school programs" with a goal to "grow the middle class". It sounds like plan to create jobs and the United States back to work.

Potentially, this is good news for everyone. Like everywhere, people in Strawberry Plains are hurting. The news about the closure of the mine doesn't help. (which is really the only large employer on this end of Jefferson County, TN). Probably none will benefit from the focus of Biden's team as much as some of the clients that we serve.

Late last week I spoke with a grandmother on the phone. Her utilities are about to be disconnect. Although I couldn't help her with money we could assist with food and a few toys for Christmas. More importantly, I could listen to this amazingly strong woman.

Over the past year, she and her husband lost their home to foreclosure. She said her husband and grandfather goes out daily to a temp service hoping for a job. Some days he is lucky. Most days he isn't. Now, they have their two young grandchildren. The rent is behind and the utilities are about to be disconnected.

In three days, it will be Christmas. The little ones hope that Santa will find them.
She is hoping that hope will find them and I do too. This season we have even more reason to be hopeful.

To read more about the interview go to:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/story?id=6502378&page=1

Need Christmas Toys? Clothes? Strawberry Plains Charity May Be Able to Help

If you are having a hard time this Christmas? Hope for Healing.Org in Strawberry Plains may be able to help.

Some Christmas toys are still available from our location in downtown Strawberry Plains. Items will be freely given to those in need on Wednesday. There is no charge. You will need an appointment. This is available to current clients and residents of the 37871 zip code, in Strawberry Plains and also to those living in the Carter community. Residents of zip codes adjacent to 37871 will also be considered.

Please bring a bill, referral or other proof of residency. If you do not have a Christmas toy or if you need clothing you are welcome to come.

Email gayle@hopeforhealing.org for an appointment or call 964.6673. All items are limited to stock on hand and are available on a first come first served basis. We do not guarantee that something will be available for your child although we will do our best. To receive, you must call or email for an appointment first.

All items are given in the name of Jesus. Please have a merry Christmas.

Hope for Healing.Org is a 501c3 nonprofit charity. The organization maintains a limited food pantry, community clothing closet and distributes free household items upon a referral basis. We also work with victims of domestic and sexual violence, distribute Angel Food and restore the lives of juvenile offenders. Plus, we maintain the largest website on the internet so survivors can have 24/7 access to information and support via our list serves.

Volunteers are needed in many program areas. Do you have a couple of hours a month that you could help? Are you interested in encouraging others? If so, contact us. Training is free. The need is great. The time commitment is minimal. We'd love you have you. Stop by or call our office in Strawberry Plains today.

A+ Ministry Day, Angel Food Distribution Restorative Justice

The Angel Food distribution went smoothly. An extra food box quickly found a new home. She was so thankful to get it!

Plus, we had a wonderful teen from Restorative Justice that was helping plus two college kids. Everyone remembered their food boxes and several gifts of in-kind donations came in. It's one of those days that makes you proud to be in ministry.

Despite the cold, no heat and working outside we persevered - just like our clients do everyday.

Today was a good day.

Yahoo Powered GoodSearch.Com Helps Strawberry Plains Charity

We just received a check for almost $70.00 because you used the Goodsearch.Com link and designated Hope for Healing.Org. Those free searches add up and we couldn't be more grateful. Plus, you've told your friends and put Goodsearch on your toolbar. Since Oct. 1 you have raised almost 1/3 of what we did last year. We can't thank you enough for helping victims of domestic violence by using Goodsearch and the Goodshop shopping portal for online purchases.

As featured on CNN, every search at on the Yahoo powered search engine http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=849816 you will help Hope for Healing.Org help others. Simply designate Hope for Healing .Org as the charity of your choice (note our mailing address is in Jefferson City).

But the best news is that last year GoodSearch.Com uses raised almost $70 dollars just by using searching the internet - and it didn't cost the searchers anything! GoodSearch is Yahoo powered and completely free. If you don't think that $70 is much think again.

At Hope for Healing.Org $70 can purchase any one of the following:

• Online expenses for 1 full quarter
• Internet service for1 month
• 2 basic Angel Food boxes for a hungry family ~ plus ~ 1 Angel Food Box special.
• 1 full month of Saturday meals or snacks for juvenile offenders who serve community service hours
• 10 possible domestic violence victims for gasoline assistance
• Partial rent or utilities for Hope for Healing.Org

Would you like to help us raise even more this year? Helping is easy. Put the search box on your toobar. Set the computers up in your office. Tell your friends! Just designate us and search! You can even track our progress on the website. There's never been an easier way to help us help others. Get started today. Just go to www.goodsearch.com to sign up.

Tennessee Gives Free Cell Phone and Service to State's Poor

To find out if you are eligible visit the SafeLink Wireless website at https://www.safelinkwireless.com/

According to the SafeLink Wireless website the service is currently available in Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia. Plans are in the works to offer it in other states soon. The website assures customers that they will never receive a bill from SafeLink Wireless ever. Customers will be able to text message (for a fee) and use the phone as they would any other cell phone - without worry about paying for it.

If no on else in your household receives services from another Lifeline program and if you already participate in another Government program such as Housing Assistance, Food Stamps and Medicaid you might qualify for SafeLink. Also, your total household income must be at or below 135% of poverty level.

For victims of domestic violence who find themselves without income or jobs re-establishing themselves after abuse this could be very good news.

To see if you qualify visit the website listed above.

Nonprofit Founder Speaks on Domestic Violence, Poverty at Jacksboro United Methodist

Gayle Crabtree, founder and executive director of Hope for Healing.Org will be speaking at 10:55 am Sunday morning at Jacksboro United Methodist Church. She'll be sharing about the work of Hope for Healing.org; the lives changed and the difference its made in the community. Not only does the website reach over 80,000 annually for Christ but her work has transformed the Jefferson County community of Strawberry Plains. Locally, Hope for Healing.Org works with victims of domestic violence, distributes Angel Food boxes, changes the lives of juvenile offenders and meets the personal emergencies of local neighbors in poverty on a case-by-case basis.

Another organization came from this transformation to help address other needs (such as library improvements and sidewalks) that are outside the scope of Hope for Healing.Org. Signs are now up that welcome visitors to Historic Strawberry Plains as the community reclaims its historic heritage.

The public is invited to join us at Jacksboro UMC to learn more.

At a later date, Gayle be sharing about the nuts and bolts of Compassion Evangelism. It will be a hands-on session of how to begin a compassion based program locally. Included will be discerning the church's interest, how to conduct a needs survey and who to get on your team. Look for more information to come soon.

See you at Jacksboro United Methodist Church Sunday morning!

Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty - Our Astounding Results so Far!

Ok, I knew it would be good but I didn't expect it to be this good. Thank you ALL so much for your help. Your page views, eBay sales, Book purchases, ratings... Everything came together to make a big difference for the clients we serve. We can't thank you enough!

Are you ready to learn how it impacted our program? Read on...

On Blog Action Day 2008 we had...

18 times more blog traffic than we have had on any other day!
200% increase in book sales over last month!
2.5 times the number of sales from the eBay store over last week!
13.33% Amazon.Com link conversion rate - our highest ever!
#1 Highly rated blog on Knoxnews.Com - Knoxville Blog Buzz. You scored us a 10!
6th most active blog overall on Knoxnews.Com - Knoxville Blog Buzz!
First ever participation in Blog Talk Radio!

It's too early to tell for sure but it also looks like traffic is up on our link to Yahoo powered Goodsearch.Com. Every time you search this link, we earn cash. It's free and it adds up. You can even bookmark us in your browser. Purchases via Goodshop help us too. Click the link to find our more about that too.

All in all, it was a phenomenal day! A blog visitor did email me saying thanks for the entry I posted about why domestic violence victims don't leave. They now have a better understanding and were shocked at the economic breakdown. The writer's eyes are now open a little wider.

Which is exactly the reason for Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty to have happened in the first place.

Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty - 12,703 Blogs Participated!

Blog Action Day 2008 - Poverty was the result of Herculean efforts by a small group of people. Can a few people make a difference? The answer is a resounding yes!

Worldwide participating stats are impressive. Are you sitting down?

According to the official Blog Action Day 2008 website:

Participating Blogs 12,703
RSS Feeds 13,412,122

WOW!

For us, data is still coming in. We will have more information later this evening on how this particular blog was impacted. We suspect the news will be very good and we thank each and every one of you. I'll post as soon as we have all the info together.

C-ya online,
Gayle

Blog Talk Radio Embeded Player

The talk radio show for Blog Action Day continues until midnight. Use this embeded player to access the show. It's free, fun and important. Click now!

Poverty Action Day 2008: Alternative Ways to Help

We all know that nonprofit agencies serving the poor need money. But there a lots of ways to help that don't require writing a check. The following is a list to get you started. No doubt you will have other ideas yourself. If you do, please post them in the comments section.

1) Recycle: Collect used ink jet cartridges, aluminum cans, old cell phones and donate the proceeds.
2) Get together with friends and hold a car wash or yard sale.
3) Hold a closet clean out party with your friends and donate the items to a shelter or charity thrift shop.
4) Volunteer your time at a charitable organization.
5) Mobilize your friends to get them involved. Many charities love it when groups volunteer to help!
6) Collect canned food at your workplace on an ongoing basis. Alternatively, clean out your cabinets of any usable food that you aren't likely to use. Give them to the charity of your choice.
7) Organize a make-up drive to collect unused make up samples during make-up gift days at the local department store.
8) Put up a poster or flier in your office from your local food bank or charity.
9) Tell your friends that you support your favorite organization. They may be interested too.
10) Participate in Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty

Why can't a victim of domestic violence leave? 2006 Federal Poverty Guidelines

What does it mean to live the 2006 Federal Poverty Guidelines? May of our clients live in the margins. They can't make enough money to make ends meet. Many earn only minimum wage.

In this post, let's look at what it means to be a single mom with two kids faced with the possibility of fleeing from an abuser.

An employee making $7.85 x 40 hours a week x 52 weeks earns $16,328.00 annually or $1,360.00 monthly. That's $272.00 under the poverty level. It's also above the current minimum wage of $6.55 an hour by $1.30 an hour.

The other problem is that many employers don't want to pay overtime. To reduce the risk they will commonly schedule an employee for 35 hours a week - some will schedule less. The scenario above also assumes that the employee will not take a vacation and will not suffer an unpaid work day for illness or any other reason.

Fortunately, we are just outside of Knoxville, TN. According to one study our cost of living is below the national average. That's good news. The median cost of an apartment in Knoxville for 2007 was $638.00. It also leaves just over $700 in the monthly budget for a car, food, utilities, phone and medicines - unless you have to pay day care. The average price for preschool care in Knoxville is $120 to $140 per week.

Even help from food stamps or subsidized rent often isn't enough. That is why we see familiar faces at our food pantry, Angel Food distribution and free clothing days.

Many victims of domestic violence have little in the way of education and job experience. Low wage earning capabilities, combined with the above mentioned hurdles, make it difficult to impossible for a woman to free herself from the chains of domestic violence. For many women, leaving an abuser means having to accept an existence of substandard housing, begging from food pantries and a trail of bills they cannot pay.

Please think about this the next time you hear about a victim. If you are given the opportunity to donate to a battered women's program, please do so.

Poverty, Our Clients, An Angel Food Birthday Gift

It was one of those stormy mornings that make you want to pull the covers over your head and stay in bed. The drumming of the rain attempted to lull me back to sleep. It was 7:00 am on a Saturday morning. Grudgingly, I hit the alarm clock buzzer and got up. This wasn't any Saturday, it was Distribution Day! The Angel Food truck would be arriving in a few hours. It was September 2006. A group was coming in to help with the food distribution and it was time to get moving.

Angel Food is a way for people to stretch their food dollars. For $30 dollars (then $25) you can buy a box of food that is valued between $60 and $80. There are no qualifications. You can buy as much or as little as you want. From the office in Good Hope, Georgia trucks laden with food are dispatched all over the country. Payment of cash, check, Pay Pal and Food Stamps are accepted. Some of our clients rely on this as their main grocery purchase each month. Food is paid for at the beginning of the month and picked up at the end of the month.

When everything runs smoothly it's wonderful. When it runs badly it's a nightmare.

We got word at about 9:00 am that the truck was broken down somewhere between Atlanta and Chattanooga. At 10:00 am it was still broken, 11:00 came and went with no further word. The truck ended up being delayed for five hours before arriving. The l0:00 am distribution finally happened at 3:00pm.

Stressful doesn't begin to describe the situation. Some clients needed that food box to feed their kids lunch. To compensate, we ordered pizzas while we waited for the truck. Our clients began talking and sharing stories. One woman's story sticks out in my mind. I share it here in an effort to help you understand the stress she was under. Her name has been changed.

Mary walked home to bring her children to lunch. They were under the care of a family member who declined to come. The rain was pouring. After getting the kids dried off and settled she asked to talk with me privately. While the kids devoured the pizza with gusto her story came out in bits and pieces.

According to Lisa, her husband tried to be good but was abusive. He had a decent paying job but she saw no money. Her husband preferred to buy beer instead of groceries. If the family was to eat it would be up to her to figure out how. They were staying with his family members who were less than thrilled with the situation and that didn't help.

Lisa had no car, three young children and no job. I told her about domestic violence shelters and how they work. She refused saying he would find her. She said that would only make things worse. Lisa said she wanted to work but knew the day care bill would be bigger than her check. She didn't know what she was going to do but she knew one thing. She needed the promised Angel Food box. and said she would wait all night if she had to and unload the truck by herself. We both laughed at that statement. She wanted me to. Lisa probably weighed 100 pounds soaking wet. She had an emaciated look with bags under her eyes.

I reassured her that we could take care of unloading the truck once it arrived. Lisa hugged me and thanked me for listening. Then, she did something unexpected. She went to her purse and showed me her driver's license. It was her birthday. She hadn't told anyone because it wouldn't do any good. Being used to "the system" she thought that I would not believe her if she didn't show me proof of what she was saying. Then Lisa hugged me again saying that having food in her home was going to be the best birthday gift she could have.

When she walked out of my office I started scrambling. She hadn't asked for a present but I felt that I had to find something. At Hope for Healing.Org we have always been fortunate to have people occasionally donate new items. Usually I have something put back and fortunately this time was no exception.

I came out of my office and looked around for Lisa. She was there with her kids. They were finished with their pizza and were cleaning the table when I walked up. Lisa looked at me and I handed her a brand new Bible. Tucked inside the box was a pair of new earrings - one of our products made by the juvenile offenders who serve community service with us.

She looked at me surprised. It hadn't seem to cross her mind that I would try to give her something for her birthday. Lisa did what any woman would do. She cried. Then she hugged her kids, walked them back home and came back to wait on her food box.

Lisa is no longer in this situation. They moved a few months after this happened. I ran into her the other day. We only talked a moment but she said things were better. I don't know what happened but she certainly looked better and seemed happier. She still remembered the box and gifts and thanked me for them again. I told her the pleasure was all mine and meant it.

If you view the slideshow on our blog you can see the area we serve. It is beautiful but you can see how stuck a person like Lisa is without transportation or a place to work.

Tomorrow, 10/15 Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty

Don't forget to check here. Also, be sure to tune in to Blog Talk Radio. More information can be found at the following urls:

http://blogactionday.org/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blogactionday
Associated Content

Blog Action Day 2008 Hope for Healing.Org Participates

Hope for Healing.Org will join our voice in the worldwide outcry against poverty. Join us in Blog Action Day 2008, Poverty. Many of the clients we serve in East Tennessee know poverty. The slideshow tells the story better than we can. Some of the people we serve are victims of domestic violence who had to make the choice to live violence free in poverty or to stay with an abuser. Take it from us, this is no choice to have to make.

On October 15 we will be speaking out against poverty through our blog. So will hundreds of thousands of bloggers across the globe.

Will you join us? Click the graphic to register your blog now.