By By Adrienne McKenzie
The Atmore community may not realize just how much the Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry does for those in the area that are in need of food or money.
"Atmore Christian Care began in July of 2000," said Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry board of directors chairperson Dan Rhodes. "It's been an ongoing ministry here for the people of the Atmore community for seven years. It's probably helped thousands of families during that time with food, paying utilities bills and for bus tickets. We hardly ever turn anybody away."
The Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry was incorporated seven years ago with a purpose. The purpose of the corporation is to support any "religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational activities that could promote the advancement of well-being of mankind, either directly or indirectly through its cooperation with public or private agencies having like purposes or objects," according to the articles of incorporation.
In order to advance the well-being of mankind, Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry is committed to doing several things for the Atmore community. The corporation serves individuals who are in a crisis or emergency situation by providing "a witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and assistance and compassionate care of Atmore Christians." Also, the organization will counsel and evangelize to people who are having difficult times. They will "solicit, collect, receive, accumulate, administer and disburse funds and property."
One of the goals when the corporation was established was to provide shelters, workshops or homes for individuals with social or emotional issues that control their lives. Rhodes said this need has not been met because the organization has not had the funding.
"We've just been able to meet the basic needs for individuals," he said. "We provide people with food but that's limited to a couple times a year and we provide financial support for those who need it."
Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry is run by volunteers from the area.
"Several people from different churches volunteer time," he said. "The funds come from the churches and businesses that contribute. A small percent of churches here in Atmore participate but we reach the whole community. We are not prejudiced in who we help. We use and train volunteers."
Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry is open from 9 a.m. until noon on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. They accept foods of all kinds, but do not accept furniture.
"We are strictly in the food business and helping with monies," Rhodes said. "The churches that participate also partner in helping to meet monetary needs."
The corporation's board of directors meets regularly to see what needs need to be met in the Atmore area.
"I don't know of any other organization in town that does what we do," Rhodes said. "We need more churches and businesses to participate. In a year's time we'll probably spend between $25,000 to $50,000 in monies alone just to keep things afloat. United Fund does have us as one of those agencies."
Rhodes encourages community members to stop by the Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry facility beside Atmore City Hall to see what exactly the volunteers do with their time spent there and that maybe they will find it in their hearts to give to those in need.
"We're just an agency that's struggling and needs the help of the community," Rhodes said.