MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE HUNGRY IN OUR COMMUNITY

"The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered." Proverbs 21:13 (HCSB).

Today we hear the cry of the poor!  Recently CBS News’ 60 Minutes, local TV and radio stations have covered the plight of homeless and transitional families in central Florida.  Some of those families are right here in our community.  Over the years we have met, ministered to and welcomed some of these families into our church family.

As our nation’s financial difficulties continue the needs of local families also continue.  One of the ways that we are able to help these families is through our partnership with Killarney Elementary School.  We conduct an after school Good News Club and we have volunteers who help out with other activities as well.

Channel 6 News recently spoke with Principle Leticia Foster and reported the following (http://tinyurl.com/84bva79):

Killarney Elementary School has a Winter Park address, but it is not in the park of Winter Park that most people think of. It includes 80 students who live in the hotels that line Lee Road near Interstate 4.

"They can't afford the rent, the mortgages, therefore they reside in the hotels surrounding our schools," Killarney principal Letecia Foster said.

Foster sends many of her students home on Fridays with bags of food in the hopes that they won't go hungry over the weekend.

"Sometimes the kids just come because they know they're going to be well fed," Foster said.

As of today (Dec. 1, 2011) 45 families have requested food assistance through Killarney Elementary School for the Christmas Break.  The school is asking churches, community groups and individuals to make donations of staples, can foods, peanut butter etc…to distrubute to these families in just a couple of weeks.

How can you help? 

• Well for those of you who have given to the World Hunger Fund through our church and Florida Baptist Convention, you have already helped.  Some of those funds have come back to Killarney and we have been able to provide food assistance to families in need including making a donation to the current food drive (http://erlc.com/article/why-should-i-support-the-southern-baptist-world-hunger-fund/).  You may designate gifts to the World Hunger Fund on your Killarney Baptist Church giving envelope.
• Of course more donations are needed and welcomed.  You can drop off food at Killarney Elementary School or here at the Killarney Baptist Church between now and December 7.  If you drop off food at the church.  Bring it to the office or leave it in the kitchen or room 109 in the Phillips Building (labeled for Killarney Elementary).
• Volunteer to sort and pack boxes for the Killarney Families on December 8 and 9 at Killarney Elementary School (407-623-1438).

Thank you for your expressing your love and the love of Jesus Christ by reaching out to these families during this Christmas Season.

In Christ,

Pastor Bruce