Glory Outreach helped 1,300 families last year, and still expanding
By Ed Simmons, Jr.
cpreporter@lcs.net
A Caroline bulwark against the ravages of recession and poverty, the food and clothing ministry known as Glory Outreach has moved to a larger location and is serving more and more people.
There is no charge for food or clothes.
"We have seen the need increasing substantially," said organizer Darlene Keener. "More and more families are faced with sudden job loss.
The new location is two doors down from its previous site on Broaddus Avenue in Bowling Green, next to the Shell station.
Initiated by Salem Baptist Church, the mission is also now receiving support from Bowling Green Baptist and Wright's Chapel United Methodist. Wright's Chapel will benefit Glory Outreach with the community donations of its February 6 Polar Bear Plunge, expected to amount to five or six thousand dollars. "That'll be a huge help," said Darlene.
Glory Outreach helped 1,348 families last year, providing about 25,000 meals. Open Tuesday evenings, typically about 40 families come. They receive a New Believer's Bible and CD by Rev. Rick Warren, and invitations to Christmas dinner and community and church events.
The ministry spends about $800 monthly for food. It takes 10 volunteers to staff Glory Outreach each Tuesday evening, and volunteers like Lee and Julie Gotschalk who travel each week to buy groceries at the Fredericksburg Food Bank, which named Glory Outreach its Partner of the Year.
Darlene said she hoped other Caroline churches will also provide volunteers to Glory Outreach.
"We know we're on the right path," she said.
"We want to see families experience Christ's love – to help them turn a corner."
For more information or to help, call Darlene at 804-632-1003, or Salem Baptist at 633-5583.
