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Relieving A Mother's Desperation
Morganton, North Carolina -- "I was ready to throw up
my hands and quit!" exclaimed Linda. Coming from a background where asking
for help outside of the family isn't done, this wife and mother of two teens
didn't know where food for the next meal was going to come from.
On September 24th, the Census Bureau reported the number of poor Americans
rose last year to 32.9 million, an increase of 1.3 million.
Years of welding had slowly burned Linda's husband's eyes, making him unable
to work. Already financially tight, more discouraging news recently came when
the light fixture factory cut Linda's hours down. Swallowing her pride, she
came to last Tuesday's food distribution at Christian Outreach International
(COI). This concerned mother shared, "It makes me feel so bad when I can't
give my kids what they need. If it weren't for this place [Christian Outreach
International], I don't know what I'd do."
In response to several plants closing, Larry and Holly Johnson's small church
began giving free groceries to Burke County's hungry two years ago. The Johnson's
have a desire to serve those who no one else wants to help. So much so that
Larry gave up his successful job for fulltime ministry after someone shared
a quote with him -- Consistency is the last haven for the unimaginative.
Established in 1784 in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Morganton
seems to be a solid place. However the economy continues to decline as three
mills have closed in the last year. This forced 1,000 more people out of work.
As part of Operation Blessing's partner The Lord's Storehouse's network, COI
now gives food to 800-1,000 families every week. Volunteers representing Morganton's
population of 17,000 help wash produce, fill grocery bags, and deliver food
to shut-ins. A volunteer couple visiting from out of town was so impressed by
COI's operation, they sold their house and moved to Morganton to help out!
It began with a donor and a Hunger Strike Force truck. The journey continued
to an Operation Blessing partnering organization, and then on to their community
network into the arms of hungry men, women and children. A process understood
by few, but appreciated by countless grateful people like Linda's family every
year!
With the support of our faithful partners, Operation Blessing is working hard
to alleviate suffering across the United States and around the world.
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