<< Miracles and Salvation Happening… A Vision Takes Shape Providing More Than Food The vision started with feeding the hungry, but oh how it has grown. Today, the Unit also provides clean clothing in good condition for purchase at a nominal cost — a quarter for pants, a dollar for a nice dress. “These people have had their dignity stripped away, one free handout at a time,” Jerry explained. “Asking them to pay just a little bit helps restore some of that dignity to them. Of course, if they can’t afford even a quarter, we don’t turn them away. We give them the clothes they need.” In addition to food and clothing, the Unit also provides such extras as the occasional furniture or appliance voucher for people who have lost everything in a fire, an automobile for a single mother or, as happened with one particularly touching case, a home. The MASH Unit for Women and Children, a former funeral parlor, provides a safe home to 15 to 20 women — with children — who were abused or are recovering alcoholics or drug addicts. They stay anywhere from a few weeks to a year and receive help re-integrating into society, finding jobs and transportation, and ultimately settling into an apartment where they can live independently. Recovering addicts and alcoholics are simply expected to take responsibility for their actions. As Jerry said, “We can’t help people still lost in their victim story, but if someone admits they blew it, I’ll do anything to help them. A broken person cannot find their way from the bottom alone. We do what we can to raise them up and help them see that God is real.” Like so many of the MASH Unit’s efforts, the home is a work in process. “It is functional, but it still needs a lot of work,” said Jerry. “We’d love to finish the remodel, but that will take another $30,000 to $40,000.” Why Is It Happening? Leading the Way to Self Sufficiency for Charities Jerry and a dedicated team of drivers collect food donations from supermarkets, manufacturers and any other source they can find, but choose to avoid dealing with Second Harvest and major food banks since those organizations charge a significant handling fee or membership cost to organizations such as the MASH Unit. Usually, they must purchase meat and, since the economic downturn, must often purchase other food items as well. Every bite of food collected or purchased is passed on unconditionally. “Unfortunately, resources for food are drying up due to the economy,” said Jerry. “Many of the grocery stores that used to donate dented cans or broken boxes now put them on the shelf and sell them. That means we have to buy salvaged products at 30 cents on the dollar then bring them here and give them away.” Similarly, every dollar that comes into the MASH Unit goes to helping people, not public relations, offices, marketing, or even back to the church. If the unit receives a rare cash donation, that money is invested in products needed to grow the unit. “I have an ethical responsibility,” said Jerry, “to be sure every dollar goes to the purpose it was donated for. That means we have to be very creative to get the biggest bang for every buck. We can’t afford to play politics. Our primary purpose is to put food into the hands of those who need it the most. That directs how we use money that comes to us.” How Is It Happening? >>