{"id":645,"date":"2022-08-29T16:37:50","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T16:37:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.booksbytesajones.com\/?p=645"},"modified":"2022-08-29T16:37:53","modified_gmt":"2022-08-29T16:37:53","slug":"the-christian-mission-reaches-out-to-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.booksbytesajones.com\/?p=645","title":{"rendered":"The Christian Mission Reaches Out to YOU"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How Much Do You Know about The Christian Mission? Most everyone who lives in the Mooresville area has heard of The Christian Mission; however, how many people actually know<\/em> about the organization?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On Thursday, August 25, my curiosity was peeked and I attended their Open House (celebrating 83 years of service to the community.)  Although I had been there before, I had actually never gone inside <\/em>the building. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My husband and I were greeted at the door and assigned a personal guide (Dana Skidmore) to show us around the facility. We quickly discovered that The Christian Mission is not just a food pantry.<\/strong> There are three distinct sections — food, clothing and home accessories <\/strong>— all designed to help individuals and families in need.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ostensibly, there is so much more to this benevolent organization. The Christian Mission is not supplying a \u201cBand-Aid\u201d<\/em> for a temporary \u201cfix.\u201d\u00a0 Volunteer Coordinator Ann Pardue explains, \u201cOur objective is to lift those in need out of poverty — to teach them how to become financially, emotionally and spiritually independent.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0It is the Mission\u2019s hope that by educating the individual and the families the cycle of generational poverty will be broken.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four Steps to Help People Out of Poverty<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The First Step is FOOD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The fundamental need of all human beings is to be feed. Pantry Employee Victoria Clifton explains the TEFAP (Temporary Emergency Food Assistant Program) \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo one in Mooresville goes hungry, and we make sure nutritional needs are met.\u201d <\/em><\/strong>Clifton says. The TEFAP helps them with the initial part of the journey out of poverty.  Like the old adage . . . \u201cWe do not just give them a fish,\u201d<\/em><\/strong> says Clifton.  \u201cWe teach them how to fish.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the food warehouse, the emphasis is on \u201cNothing goes to waste at The Christian Mission. Should donated food reach an expiration date, organizations like the Wildlife Rescue, Darby Acres and pet carrier come within an hour to collect anything we cannot use.\u201d <\/strong>   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Currently, there is a shortage of PASTA and TOMATO SAUCE.  These are two of the necessary staples.  Donations are always appreciated.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Second Step is CLOTHING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These gently-used clothes help the individual get back into the workplace with professional looking attire that gives them confidence and the desire to succeed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This section of The Christian Mission is inviting, pleasing to the eye and has a good variety to offer both men and women in a wide range of sizes. In addition, there are clothes for infants, toddlers and teens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Third Step is HOME FURNISHINGS AND ACCESSORIES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The building is not large enough to accommodate a lot of furniture, but there is a lovely assortment available.\u00a0 In addition, there are blankets, bedding, towels, dishes, kitchen tools, etc. which allows the individual to have a clean and comfortable home. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Offering HOPE, Empowering PEOPLE, Fighting POVERTY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fourth Step is Education<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u201cWe meet people right where they are and love them as they are.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong> Their Mission <\/em>is to \u201cprovide resources, skills, education, and services to individuals and families to alleviate suffering and lower the rate of poverty in our area.\u201d\u00a0 The Christian Mission partners with local churches, businesses, leaders, grantors and volunteers to help and serve over four thousand people every year.\u00a0 www.ourchristianmission.org<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NETworX<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Food, Clothing and Home Essentials are met, EDUCATION becomes the goal to break the poverty cycle. The Christian Mission partners with NETworX https:\/\/www.networxusa.org\/<\/a> and teaches the individuals life skills to succeed.  For more information, contact Diane Smith, dsmith@ourchristianmission.org<\/a> or 704-870-2537 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Help?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to run The Christian Mission successfully, it takes an \u201carmy\u201d of volunteers. In addition to the employees, it is necessary to have eight to fifteen volunteers per day <\/em>working as a team toward the ultimate goal. Would you like to be part of this life changing organization? <\/strong> If so, there are numerous ways to volunteer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donations are taken at the loading area from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (266 N Board St. in Mooresville.) These much needed \u201ctreasures\u201d are sorted and organized in three categories \u2013 food, clothing, and home accessories \u2013 before they are displayed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Grocery Pick Up Volunteers <\/strong>pick up food at designated grocery stores and deliver the products to the Mission.  (Job Requirements:  SUV or van, punctuality, friendly disposition, and a driver\u2019s license)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pantry Volunteers <\/strong>are needed Tuesday through Friday during three shifts: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.\u00a0 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 (Job Requirements:  age 11+ can volunteer WITH a parent if the child is capable of helping for the length of the shift.  (This is a fabulous way for teenagers to get service hours <\/strong>and learn valuable life lessons.) Closed-toed shoes are required. Stock shelves, help clients and clean the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resource Store Volunteers <\/strong>must be at least 18-years-old.  (Job Requirements:  must be friendly and outgoing. Help clients with items, check them into the system, hang and sort items and keep the area tidy and clean.  If you have previously used a self-checkout at the grocery store, you are qualified to do this job! Resource Store Shifts are Tuesday:  11:30-2:30 and 2:30 to 5:30  Wednesday through Friday 9 a.m. to Noon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give Back Boutique <\/strong>is a wonderful way to donate your time. This consignment shop supports The Christian Mission. Their motto is \u201cFashion on a Mission.\u201d Not only is it a lovely place to buy gorgeous clothes at bargain prices \u2013 the profits go directly to The Christian Mission.\u00a0 To volunteer call:\u00a0 704-663-3677<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Senior Companion <\/strong>is a fantastic way to help seniors in need by developing a relationship with the individual, shop in our food pantry for them and deliver the groceries to their home.\u00a0 For more information contact Roger at info@ourchristianmission.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have any questions about VOLUNTEERING, contact Ann Pardue, Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@ourchristianmission.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Left to right: Diane Smith, NETworX Program Coordinator, Sarah McMurry, Program Assistant and Amy LaCount, Executive Direction of The Christian Mission<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IN CLOSING . . . <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhether you are a client, a volunteer, a donor, or a community members, The\u00a0 Christian Mission welcomes you with open arms!\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0 Often people who have been helped out of poverty through the Mission have returned to volunteer in the place that helped them lead successful lives. \u00a0What an outstanding way to \u201cpay it back\u201d and \u201cpay it forward\u201d at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Article and Photos by Tesa Jones<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tesa Jones
Author, Blogger, Photographer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesa Jones is a graduate of Elon College, now Elon University, a mother of two, a grandmother of five, and she currently resides in Mooresville with her husband. She is a published author, an avid blogger, and a passionate photographer. Learn more about Tesa Jones at <\/em>www.booksbytesajones.com\/book.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/booksbytesajones\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

booksbytesajones@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n\r\n