The Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry has done an amazing job serving those in need in the Swannanoa Valley during the past months. Using staff and a reduced number of volunteers, SVCM made changes in the physical approach to clients, but continues to meet their needs. Food and clothing clients make out a list of needs, rather than coming in to shop, and a volunteer fills the list. Clients are interviewed with social distancing. Looking to the future, here are some ways WWPC can participate.
The Hunger Walk will be Sunday, October 11.
Participants may contribute on line, walk on their own, and donate food. There will NOT be a mass walk departing from First Baptist in Black Mountain, as in past years, but there are many ways to continue to help the hungry. (Online donation at svcmblackmountain.org or mail to SVCM at Box 235, Black Mountain, NC 28711)
The Homeless Shelter will not be open at First Baptist, but Sonny Moore has been busy finding as much housing as he can and providing extra assistance and items for those who continue to live in the camp. There is an emergency plan for extreme cold. WWPC will be asked to prepare box lunches (two hot meals for one week) for the homeless, to be distributed from SVCM.
Hope for Tomorrow will soon have a new family in the apartment that WWPC adopted. The mom and three children in the apartment expect to move soon. We will need household goods and furniture for the new family, and we hope to have more information about that in the next month.
Here’s a quote from the most recent SVCM newsletter: Here at SVCM we are continuing to meet the needs of our neighbors. As Renee Weaver, SVCM Board President, said, “You have not missed a beat.” We have adapted, but wait with great anticipation for the day we can open our doors and all our volunteers and clients can come together. Until that time, our clients know they can call for a listening ear when someone is ill, a loved one has died, or for any situation they want to share.
Please remember that SVCM serves families in the Owen School District, from Oteen east. These are our neighbors, and they need our support.
– This article was article was written by Corise Gambrell for the Community Engagement Team