Advisory Committee

Jesus taught that we are also to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” We must remember love is not just a feeling. Love is a verb—an action word. We can show our love to our neighbors in many ways. One important way in our community is by supporting WARM. The proceeds from the sale of household items, furniture and clothing donated to WARM purchases food for the WARM Food Pantry and allows us to provide clothing, referrals and other assistance for those in need in our area.

A man and wife came in to the WARM Food Pantry for assistance. The wife had been released from the hospital only a few days earlier, after a three week stay. While she was in the hospital, the husband was injured in a car wreck, and had been unable to work for two weeks himself. They needed food until he could get back to work and receive a paycheck—and we were so happy to be able to help them. They later brought in a large donation of clothing they no longer used so we could help others as we had helped them.

A young mother with several children, who had missed two weeks of work due to a wrist injury, came in for assistance with her light bill and for food. We contacted the utility company and helped her make arrangements for an extension on her utility bill, provided her with food, and gave her a referral for low cost medical care for her children.

A single mother with several children, who had recently moved into the area, came in for assistance. They had relocated because their home in another part of the state had burned down. They were currently living in a travel trailer generously provided for them by an acquaintance, and were attempting to put down roots in this area. We were able to provide them with food and clothing. We also referred the mother to WorkSource for help finding employment, to the food stamp office, and to a clinic for low cost medical care for the family.

Sometimes we are able to be of assistance over the telephone. We received a call from a woman who was attempting to find a car seat and a layette for a pregnant fifteen year old. During our conversation, we discovered that the teenager lived in Magnolia. Through our referral base, we were able to give the woman information about services available in her area, including medical care and a referral to WIC.

About one-third of our regular clients are elderly, living on fixed incomes. The food we provide is an important supplement to the food stamps they receive. We also have crutches and a few walkers that have been donated that we can provide when needed.

At WARM, we are honored to be the arms of the community which is following Jesus’ teaching by reaching out to our neighbors in need. This ministry would not be possible without the support of the community and the coalition of churches in our area.

By Carolyn Cassels

Summertime

Summertime—and the living is easy—at least that’s what the song says. However, it has not been all that easy for some of the people we have seen so far this summer at WARM. In fact, for quite a few it has been downright difficult. Two of the families in our area had the misfortune to have their homes burn to the ground, losing everything they owned. Others have come to us for a variety of reasons, i.e., illness job loss, abandonment by the breadwinner in the family, car accidents, etc. While WARM is not able to fill every need or every request, we can provide food and clothing to those who qualify, a listening ear, suggestions and counseling, referrals which are often helpful, and a prayer if desired. WARM is grateful we are able to provide help for the ever-increasing numbers who need assistance, and we are thankful for the churches that support us and the caring citizens of our community who donate items to WARM Treasures. WARM also appreciates those who support this ministry by shopping at our resale shop, whose sales allow us to purchase the food we supply, and to our wonderful volunteers who give so freely of their time and energy. There is a saying, “It takes a community to raise a child.” Believe me; it takes a community to provide for those in need.

Without community support, WARM could not have provided those burned-out families with mattresses; clothing and household items to help them get started again. WARM could not have assisted the sick middle-aged woman whose husband abandoned her, cleaning out their bank account. WARM could not have given food and clothing to the young mother with three children who got laid-off. WARM could not have given clothing to a young woman who had just found a job and needed the required clothing to go to work. WARM could not have given gasoline to a disabled veteran so he could go to the Veteran’s Hospital to see his doctor and get his medication. WARM could not have provided an elderly diabetic with a referral to convenient, inexpensive medical care. WARM could not have provided a middle-aged man who had open-heart surgery two weeks earlier with food for himself and his ill wife until he was able to go back to work. And these are just a few…

I am blessed to be able to sit at my desk and be a part of the countless ways that WARM is touching the lives of so many others in our community. Your support and prayers are a vital part of this ministry. God bless you.

One year my grandchildren and I drew the outline of a bare branched tree on a piece of poster board and then cut out colorful leaves from construction paper. As each guest arrived for Thanksgiving dinner they were given a leaf and a pen and asked to write what they were thankful for that year, and then the leaves were taped to the poster board and displayed for all to read and enjoy.

It’s important in our lives and for our mental health to maintain an “attitude of gratitude.” It says in the Bible to give thanks for all things, but it’s so easy to overlook the blessings and focus only on the problems our lives bring. Many times the hardships are blessings in disguise or opportunities for growth, so we need to give thanks for them also, and for the strength God will provide to help us deal with the problems we have.

I am grateful this year that I am able to be a part of W.A.R.M. and to provide referrals to those who come in to our office. So often there are resources available in the community of which people are not aware. Recently a young woman came in for assistance with a utility bill. I was able to refer her to a social service agency. She told me she was six months pregnant, and the clinic she had been going to had closed down. I was able to give her a referral to another clinic and assist her in getting a quick appointment, and gave her a referral for health care for her daughter. We also gave her food and clothing.

A couple who had recently moved into the area and were staying with a relative came in for food as the relative is on a fixed income and they had not yet found jobs. I was able to refer them to Work Source and another potential employer, we gave them food and clothing, and signed their children up for Christmas toys from Toys for Tots.

It is truly a blessing to be able to help others to realize the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Summertime—and the living is easy—at least that’s what the song says. However, it has not been all that easy for some of the people we have seen this summer at WARM. In fact, for quite a few it has been downright difficult. Two of the families in our area had the misfortune to have their homes burn to the ground, losing everything they owned. Others have come to us for a variety of reasons, i.e., illness job loss, abandonment by the breadwinner in the family, car accidents, etc. While WARM is not able to fill every need or every request, we can provide food and clothing to those who qualify, a listening ear, suggestions and counseling, referrals which are often helpful, and a prayer if desired. WARM is grateful we are able to provide help for the ever-increasing numbers who need assistance, and we are thankful for the churches that support us and the caring citizens of our community who donate items to WARM Treasures. WARM also appreciates those who support this ministry by shopping at our resale shop, whose sales allow us to purchase the food we supply, and to our wonderful volunteers who give so freely of their time and energy. There is a saying, “It takes a community to raise a child.” Believe me; it takes a community to provide for those in need.

Without community support, WARM could not have provided those burned-out families with mattresses; clothing and household items to help them get started again. WARM could not have assisted the sick middle-aged woman whose husband abandoned her, cleaning out their bank account. WARM could not have given food and clothing to the young mother with three children who got laid-off. WARM could not have given clothing to a young woman who had just found a job and needed the required clothing to go to work. WARM could not have given gasoline to a disabled veteran so he could go to the Veteran’s Hospital to see his doctor and get his medication. WARM could not have provided an elderly diabetic with a referral to convenient, inexpensive medical care. WARM could not have provided a middle-aged man who had open-heart surgery two weeks earlier with food for himself and his ill wife until he was able to go back to work. And these are just a few…

I am blessed to be able to sit at my desk and be a part of the countless ways that WARM is touching the lives of so many others in our community. Your support and prayers are a vital part of this ministry. God bless you.