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Neighbors Conquer Hunger
(Alabama) -- Far away from the busy world, citizens living in Andalusia, Alabama have a quiet existence. Many live one day at a time. Elderly and alone, Barbara is one of Andalusia's 9,000 residents. She lives on $400 every month. After paying bills and buying life-sustaining medicine, there is $30 left for food. Ignoring her own stomach's growl, Barbara shares produce from her small garden with others in need. This simple act of kindness would unexpectedly return back to her in ways beyond imagination.
Barbara is just one of many hungry individuals in Andalusia. More than 1,000 are unemployed in surrounding Covington County due to massive manufacturing layoffs throughout Alabama. Beginning in March of 1998, Dr. Steve Dohoney began addressing the overwhelming need of his neighbors. His small church, Open Heaven Ministry, went door to door with free bags of groceries. Soon they discovered the need was too great for the church to support and sought other ways to expand.
Acts of Kindness was born and in December 2000 became one of OBI's Hunger Strike Force (HSF) partnering ministries. Storage and working space soon became a concern for the expanding outreach, but in May 2001, Coca-Cola donated a 52,000 square foot warehouse! Now with a network of more than 20 organizations as well as partners like HSF, Red Cross and Food World, Acts of Kindness is able to distribute more than 100,000 pounds of food each month to approximately 3,000 hungry homeless, at-risk, unemployed and low income families living in 7 counties of rural Alabama and Florida!
"HSF has helped Acts of Kindness' arm of compassion extend by simply increasing the number of people we can reach by supplying from 20,000 - 100,000 pounds of food," shared Steve Dohoney. "It's been a real blessing. HSF is consistent and faithful. Working with Henry and Dennis has been super!"
Acts of Kindness has also helped to break down racial and denominational walls in their area of influence. Eleven churches and more than fifty volunteers help prepare for the food distribution held at the warehouse on the third Saturday of each month. At 9 am, the first 50-60 of the total 500 attending heads of households are ushered in for a short welcome. Having spent their small monthly welfare checks weeks previously, many are looking forward to the nutritious items coming their way. Caring volunteers then help each guest get a 50 pound box of food filled with items such as fresh fruit and vegetables, cereal, pasta and drinks to their cars.
Susan was grateful for the food received. This working mother's husband is between construction jobs and making ends meet is tight. "Acts of Kindness has encouraged me to care for others," she shared.
Take the challenge & fight against hunger with Operation Blessing!
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!
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!
Help end America's hunger today...
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