Jim Jones has spent a lifetime making a difference. When Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Birmingham, was bombed in 1963, Jones was the nurse on duty. At that time, African-Americans were not admitted to UAB Hospital. But when ambulances arrived with injured and dying children on that fateful day, Jones decided to treat everyone. And because of his decision the hospital policy changed. One man made a difference that affected thousands who needed medical care in the years to come.
More recently Jones and his wife, Linda, are making a difference in feeding Alabama’s hungry children. They have identified 14,000 food insecure children in three counties and work to feed as many as possible.
It was the 23 short-term missions trips in the United States, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Kenya and Brazil that opened their eyes to the hunger needs around the world and within their own neighborhood. After much prayer and obtaining the proper licenses, the Joneses decided, “We can change a generation of food insecure kids.”
They began Alabama Childhood Food Solutions (ACFS) in the back of their car in 2011. They fed 42 children at that time. Now they feed more than 3,000 people with the help of 16 churches in Talladega, Shelby and Coosa counties.
Corporations and individuals across central Alabama support this 501(c) 3 nonprofit that has grown into a $350,000 per year organization.
Nearly 1,500 people from 400 families (including senior adults and the homeless) who are food insecure are fed each month through a market-style distribution. Families can choose fresh and nutritious food their families will eat, which reduces food waste.
In addition to the monthly distribution, almost 1,600 children receive food in their backpacks every Friday during the school year so they will have food on the weekends. ACFS also provides food for children during the summer months.
ACFS volunteers work with 38 schools and Boys and Girls Clubs to identify children who are food insecure. They are able to provide food in their backpacks 49 weeks a year.
They also include a small note in each backpack that reflects a life situation and how kids should react, including the Ten Commandments. The note also encourages families to get involved in a church.
One young boy said, “That card is like a letter from Jesus. And I like the food.”
Governed by a board of nine Christians from churches in the area, ACFS is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. All funds are used to purchase, transport and store food for the hungry. Volunteers give time, effort and/or money. All churches involved in the effort are active participants in the procurement and distribution of food.
Marble City Baptist Church, Sylacauga, supports ACFS by providing a 7,000-square-foot warehouse, volunteers and monetary support.
Steven Smith, youth pastor at Marble City Baptist, said, “People more than ever want to see where their missions efforts are working and be able to be the hands and feet of God in our own neighborhood.”
Identifying with businesses
Part of the success of finding funds for ACFS comes from grants. Jim Jones suggests looking around the community and identifying those businesses that are part of a national chain or franchise. These businesses have foundations that can provide financial support. Work with the CEO or manager to locate funding for hunger projects.
Matthew 25:40 says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.”
Jones said, “I think that means feeding hungry children.”
For more information: www.alabamachildhoodfoodsolutions.com
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