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Georgia's Hungry See Brighter Future
Gripping two empty plastic grocery bags, Joyce stood in awe. Twenty-five shelves laden with an assortment of nutritious food, hygiene items and cleaning supplies surrounded this struggling married mother of two. It didn't matter that she did not have any money in the Warehouse of Hope.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priority's recent report stated that 136% more Georgians exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits during 2001's fourth quarter than in 2000; the entire United States has experienced a 70% increase. These staggering statistics come in the form of faces of young and old alike frequenting Craig and Becky Parson's Warehouse of Hope. When guests come in seeking help at the 5,000 square foot building, they are asked to go through a short application process designed to understand each visitors' true needs. A steady increase of applicants include even those living in nicer areas who have suffered from local layoffs associating with September 11th's tragic events.
There is also the working poor and those simply living in sad depressed circumstances. Drawing only $562 per month and classified disabled, Bob and his family of four are struggling in their government- subsidized duplex. Hoping to add to the family's income, his wife Joyce worked a short time at a fast food restaurant until layoffs took effect. In their late 40's, the couple's problems intensified when one daughter began stealing from them to support her crack habit and the other daughter became pregnant. When Joyce sought food assistance from Warehouse of Hope, she and her family also received a listening ear and counseling. Her one daughter has now been drug free for over three weeks!
Warehouse of Hope has grown from a simple willingness to help others. The Parsons began going out after work in 1995 and delivering five to seven food boxes to families in need each week. Since then Craig has left an established career in a wholesale optical lab and is now committed full time helping to feed approximately 588 families each month. Since becoming a Hunger Strike Force partnering ministry in September 2001, Warehouse of Hope has also grown from helping 413 families to 512 families and fifteen organizations! "I'm just in awe really," shared Craig. "I never dreamt God would increase this ministry like He has. All I've done is sit in the driver's seat and hang on. It's all Him."
Located twenty miles west of Atlanta, Warehouse of Hope's network reaches into nearby Douglasville's trailer parks and eight surrounding counties. Community support includes various grocery stores and food bank donations as well as more than fifteen volunteers giving their time. Crunch time comes on Wednesday through Friday mornings as volunteers scramble to quickly restock the shelves as hundreds of guests come in to "shop".
In between receiving HSF loads of donated groceries and distributions through out the week, both Craig and Becky now drive school buses. They feel this allows them the flexibility they need to fight against hunger in Georgia.
Take the challenge & fight against hunger!
HSF is taking part in the Feinstein Foundation's annual $1 million challenge during March and April 2002. During this time, your generous contribution stretches further in helping to provide life necessities to disaster victims, fill a child's growling stomach, and let many struggling people know someone cares!
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