Kathy Pelton, Executive Director
Offices at 315 East Grundy Street
Thrift Store at 210 East Grundy Street
Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
Phone 931-455-7353
Email:
January 2015 Newsletter
In November and December, Good Samaritan distributed food to 140 local families (consisting of 216 adults and 129 children). We have been distributing a significant amount of food through our Food Pantry since there are a high number of people requesting aid. Your food donations have successfully kept our costs down as we assist Tullahoma residents that are in need. Kroger has a collection box (on Jackson Street in Tullahoma) has been supplying food for our food pantry for years. Pizza Hut (on Jackson Street in Tullahoma) has been furnishing us with pizza products. Most requested food items are hot dogs, bologna, cheese, pasta & pasta sauce, soup & crackers, peanut butter & jelly. If anyone has a source for getting eggs or fresh fruit and vegetables in season from local farmers, please let us know.
We want to thank the Middle Tennessee Realtor’s Association, Zaxby’s, Thunder Radio and Cash Express for holding a food drives and toy collections for the Christmas season. We were pleased to provide names of poor families for 185 Christmas Baskets packed and delivered by First Presbyterian Church, TrinityLutheranChurch and FaithLutheranChurch and toys distributed by the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. We are proud of our little community sharing the spirit of Christmas.
We receive financial support from churches, individuals and organizations as well as funds received from the operation of our Thrift Store. In November and December, we provided financial assistance to 75 families (consisting of 109 adults and 70 children). Clothes, household items and furniture can be donated to our Thrift Store at 210 East Grundy Street, so please remember our ministry program as you weed out clutter from your home. We have a large building behind our Thrift Store that is filled with household items, furniture, books, and various specialty items. Please call 393-3626 if you need us to pick-up your donations.Everyone is invited to shop at our Thrift Store as we have many bargains with most clothing selling for $1 per item. The Thrift Store is open from 9am to 2pm on Tuesday through Friday and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday. Our Thrift Store will sell all clothing for 50 cents on January 20.
Our “Give me back my Dignity Campaign” provided items to 53 local families (consisting of 75 adults and 42 children). This “Give me back my Dignity Campaign” allows us to distribute bath soap, bath tissue, tooth brushes, shampoo, dish soap, mouthwash, paper towels, diapers, etc. These are things that are needed but can not be purchased with food stamps. We are trying to provide some of these basic items so our clients can feel better about themselves and help prepare them for job interviews, school, etc. This is another example of giving a hand up, not a hand outto those in need.
We want to remember our senior citizens that may struggle with utility bills by contributing to Project Help. Customers can donate $1.00 or more by simply calling 455-4515 and they will add it to your monthly bill to support Project Help. This fund is administered thru the Good Samaritan Ministry office and there are no administrative costs incurred by Project Help. Every dollar is used for direct financial aid and those who are eligible can receive up to $400.00 to offset utility bills.
Our most heartfelt appreciation goes to all the volunteers that have worked many, many hours just to help make Good Samaritan a thriving charity that can help so many people in Tullahoma. There is so much that is happening; donating food to our Food Pantry and merchandise to the Thrift Store, stocking the food pantry, filling food boxes, helping in the Thrift Store, assisting in the office, and so much more. Currently, we have a need for volunteers to help us in the food pantry and thrift store. Would you be able to help us for a couple hours?
Good Samaritan was formed by Tullahoma area churches as a way to serve the needy in the Tullahomacommunity. The organization’s name is derived from the Biblical parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. Christian values are actively promoted and church materials are distributed to clients. Member churches and others provide financial support, food which is distributed through our food pantry and clothing and household items that are sold through our thrift store. Our mission is to give a hand up, not a hand out. Our outreach is inspired by Jesus Christ, who tells us “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40). We help the needy by counseling about available services, giving guidance on household management, providing relief aid in times of crisis, promoting Christian values, distributing food, clothing and household goods to families in distress, and giving aid to help with the cost of utility bills, housing, gas and medicine.
Thank youfor supporting our local ministry programs.