Church extends hand to help many families

A 'step of faith' motivates about 175 volunteers involved in the church project.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
GREENFORD -- Big Reach Christmas 2005 will touch the lives of 640 children in 233 families.
Scott Lewis, who oversees the benevolence committee at Greenford Christian Church, said reaching out to help those in need was a church project and his personal mission. Last year the church sponsored Big Reach Christmas 2004 and helped 210 children in 151 families.
Though the congregation is happy to help people, how the numbers have increased from last year is a bit daunting. The families being helped live in a variety of financial circumstances and hail from Alliance, Austintown, Boardman, Campbell, Canfield, Columbiana, East Palestine, East Rochester, Hanoverton, Homeworth, Leetonia, Lisbon, New Waterford, Salem, Sebring, Struthers, Winona and Youngstown.
"People are working, but they have low-income jobs. We see many single mothers ... who aren't getting child support," Lewis said. "We see a mixture of people ... more working families seem to be struggling. We are seeing more middle-aged people and senior citizens."
In fact, the church has a waiting list of 30 families who need help.
Today is the distribution day for Christmas toys, new clothing, a box of groceries and cookie trays. Sign-up took place in October for participants, who were required to fill out registration forms.
About 65 volunteers gathered earlier this week to gift wrap toys and sort and prepare the other items earmarked for the upcoming holiday. About 175 volunteers from the church are involved in this ministry.
"It's a step of faith. The congregation is awesome," Lewis said of how the church congregation steps up to the plate and makes this project a reality. They follow the motto, "reaching out to reach up."
The church also comes to the aid of some 50 senior citizens who could use a helping hand. "We're there for them," Lewis said of the groceries and other items they receive.
The church benevolence committee is seeing people whose incomes don't quite cover their living expenses. "People we've never seen before are coming," Lewis said. This help "gets them over the hump," Lewis said of what he has been told.
Other charitable projects
Not only does the church orchestrate the Big Reach project, it operates the Giving Tree at the church. The Giving Tree, which is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, serves as a food pantry and source of clothing and personal care items for the 200 families who visit monthly. Recently, Lewis said 58 families visited in one two-hour period.
"We stress that families and children matter to God," Lewis said of interaction between church members and recipients.
That idea, especially focusing on children, was evident in Greenford's Big Reach August 2005. This program touched the lives of more than 300 children by providing them with new school supplies and clothing. "Each family received two shopping carts filled up," Lewis said. The distribution took place under tents at the church parking lot.
Sources of strength
Lewis said these charitable projects are made possible through contributions from the membership and those attending that hovers between 1,500 and 1,600. Their donations of money and other items go toward these projects. Food also comes from Second Harvest Food Bank, and area businesses also contribute food and other items. The Rev. Jeff Hugus is senior minister.
Lewis said he is committed to these projects because of his faith in God. "God tells us to help," he said. He did admit, though, that he never thought it would be "to this size," and the "need has snowballed."
But, he added, helping even one person is "well worth the effort."
"We want people to see a developing relationship," he said, and emphasized the humanity of those giving and those receiving.
Since the need isn't satisfied by a single visit to one of the church outreach projects, Lewis said plans are in the works to offer classes including family budgeting and Bible study. Participants will not have to be affiliated with the church but would be welcome if they wish to join. Lewis also said the church is working toward raising funds for a building to house the Big Reach programs. Items currently are stored off site and trucked in.
XDonations to these projects may be made to Greenford Christian Church, 11767 Libson Road, P.O. Box 53, Greenford, Ohio 44422. For more information, call the church at (330) 533-3278, Ext. 221, or visit www.greenfordchristian.org.