PLEASE take the time to READ and SHARE this posting. I am writing this with the knowledge that this may upset, even anger a few AND with the knowledge that MANY will agree and support this writing. We have a local organization,Ozark Share and Care. This organization was established in 1987 to give Harrison and surrounding county residents a CENTRAL location to accept HELP when or if they needed it. Help in the way of food, clothing, household items, bedding, furniture and other emergency services. For 27, that's right TWENTY SEVEN years, they have operated through the sale of donated items in their thrift store and the generous donations of community members through financial and material donations. Ozark Share and Care was created through a UNIFIED effort of MANY community members, organizations and churches. Reread that last line . . . UNIFIED effort. Before Share and Care existed, people went from church to church, organization to organization and requested goods, services and money. This was too much for individual organizations to shoulder, so they UNIFIED and pooled their resources to do a BETTER, more efficient job at assisting those in need.
Share and Care doesn't turn people away. They love people regardless of race, religion, nationality, physical, or mental abilities. That's right, there is no discrimination. This organization is run by volunteers. Volunteers with HEART. Volunteers who have given hugs, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, cried and prayed with a man or woman in need.
Share and Care is EQUIPPED to handle FRESH and FROZEN food items for distribution. They are EQUIPPED to handle large truckloads of food. They distribute to over 600 families EVERY single week! 600!!! They BUY LOCALLY and invest nearly $10,000 a month into our LOCAL economy in grocery purchases.
I have been VERY disheartened in the last few months as I watch numerous churches and organizations start-up their own food banks and charitable organizations. I am not saying these are ill-intended, I am saying that this is weakening the strength of a FANTASTIC community resource. This is BREAKING apart a community resource. When you ask that people donate to your charity, whether it's goods or money, it is taking a necessary resource away from a well-rooted, rock-solid, community resource. I have heard every reasoning from "we want to feed the children" to "we want to save souls". You really want to do that? Team up with Share and Care. Volunteer your time and efforts. Head-up a kids food pantry, solicit donations or stand in line with folks and talk to them about Jesus.
Since I know this facebook posting isn't going to change the way people are operating, I PRAY PRAY PRAY that it will spark a conversation. I pray that you will take time to UNIFY and GIVE BACK to an organization that is in GREAT NEED. Clean out your closets/houses and donate to Share & Care thrift shop. GO SHOPPING at the Share & Care thrift store, it's chalked full of great finds! Give-up fast food for a month and donate it to Share & Care and feeding those in need. Give-up a Saturday morning and donate your time and efforts to Share & Care.
Saying I am PASSIONATE about this is an understatement. Think of your favorite beautiful, warm, winter sweater. If you remove one strand from the sweater, it will start to come apart. Remove two strands and it will weaken and fray even more. Continue this and eventually you will have no sweater that protects you from the storm. PROTECT Share & Care, guard this organization and do your part.
Religious or not, you can agree, taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves is our duty!
Thank you for reading this.Here is a link so that YOU can donate to Share & Care today https://www.npcsecure.com/formbuilder/Vpos2.aspx
Proverbs 22:9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
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