A knock at the door leads to food on the table
David Cook, rear center, got his GED through The Outreach Center and now, he and his family volunteer by giving out food.
Since February, the Hunger Strike Force has delivered nearly 300,000 pounds of food and product to the Outreach Center.
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POSTED: Aug. 13, 2007
By Staci Dennis
MORGANTON, N.C. - David had locked himself in the bathroom in an effort to keep his family out and his drug problems in.
But a knock at the door changed all that.
His daughter was standing there asking to go to church and this time, David listened.
He quit his drug habit and found help for his family at The Outreach Center in Morganton, NC, where David got food for his family and an education for himself.
That was six years ago, and today, David and his family volunteer at the center and help distribute food and other supplies to people in need.
"The love I felt in that place touched my heart," David said, "and the food gave me hope."
The Outreach Center, which was founded by Holly Johnson in 2000, began by feeding an average of 130 families a week.
Thanks in part to Operation Blessing's Hunger Strike Force, the center now gives food to more than 1,200 families a week and works with 65 local agencies.
Since February, the Hunger Strike Force has delivered nearly 300,000 pounds of food and product to the Outreach Center.
"A lot of times, you can't give money," said Outreach Center volunteer, John Castillo. "But you can give of your time – of yourself."
David got his GED through the Center's Fresh Start Education program. In addition, the Center also offers free clothing, nutrition and exercise advice and community service opportunities.
According to the Outreach Center, one in three adults in Burke County, where Morganton is located, lacks a high school diploma.
"When I walked through that door, I didn't know if I was going to be able to do it," said Frances, who participated in the GED program and went on to graduate and eventually buy her own home.
"We exist to serve those in need," said Holly Johnson, executive director of the Outreach Center.
In addition to providing food on a weekly basis, the Outreach Center also ships food to local Indian Reservations as well as struggling areas of West Virginia.
How You Can Help
Every day, the fleet of Hunger Strike Force trucks are on the road, delivering nutritious food and essential supplies to thousands facing hunger and poverty. With your help, we can continue to impact lives and give hope to those who need it most.
Please make an online donation today. |
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