Here are a few of the ways one can serve locally.
AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries): AIM was created by churches to eliminate duplication of assistance to those in need. It has a “hand up, not a handout” philosophy. We partner with AIM in providing monetary resources, wood ministry, WACS (Women and Children Succeeding), and our newest connection with them, the Fortson Home Ministry.
Casting Purls: These ladies are crafters of knitting and crocheting, making items that are used by other missions and charities. For example, they provide prayer shawls for those bereaved and going through difficult times such as cancer, scarves for Samaritan’s Purse Shoeboxes, mittens and blankets for Mission Development (Appalachian Ministry in Kentucky), bandages for the American Leprosy Association, hats for babies and Cancer Association, and much more. They meet on the second and fourth Thursdays at 1 pm in Asbury Hall.
Fortson Home Fridays: We partner with AIM as we adopt this community to pick up weekend food packs from AIM and deliver and distribute them on Fridays during the summer. While at Fortson Homes, our members will provide Friday lunch for the children there and offer them special activities of games and crafts that revolve around a theme. Our goal is to build a relationship with this community.
Mercy Center: Known as the South Main Chapel and Mercy Center, it partners with churches and other non-profit organizations to offer services of worship and caring (food, medicine, counseling, etc.) for the various needs of those in our community. Our Outreach Ministry team provides and/or serves food on Sundays for four quarterly meals each year and members are invited to join them to help serve. We also have a yearly bottled water and Gatorade drive for them.
Pumpkin Patch: Members can serve as volunteers in our pumpkin patch which is offered during the month of October to raise funds for a variety of missions. Opportunities range from greeting guests to measuring and pricing pumpkins, being a cashier, or assisting with a field trip.
Weekend Snackpack: Our members gather several times a year at the food distribution center to assemble food packs that are given to children on Fridays so they will have food for the weekend.
WACS: This ministry of AIM – Women and Children Succeeding – gives women who are raising their families the opportunity to attend programs, receive counseling, and meet basic needs. Churches partner with them and once a year we host their program, offer a meal, and provide them with a field trip to our Pumpkin Patch.
