Teens for Christ collect food supplies for Dunklin County families

The Senath-Hornersville High School Teens for Christ organization recently participated in a project to collect food supplies for a giveaway at Trinity Community Church.

Staff photo by Joshua Payne

The program that the organization participated in was the Trinity Community Church "One Step Ministry," which serves approximately 350 people on a monthly basis.

The church's Program Director, Mike Beard, noted that the goal of the project is to "make sure that everybody has something on their table for Christmas."

"These kids have done an awesome job," Beard said.

He noted that the project with Teens for Christ was a "spur of the moment deal."

"We have been getting less food and more personal products so we jumped out at the last minute and asked the Teens for Christ if they would help," Beard said.

He added that the students helped and have "done an awesome job."

Following their participation, Beard told the students, "I want you to know that what you have done right here may mean the difference as to whether somebody eats Christmas dinner or not.

"You may think that's a joke, some of you, but its not, believe me, the economy is bad and people are hurting."

He added that although the One Step Ministry usually serves around 350 people, he is expecting a larger turnout for this event.

"Because of what you have done someone may be able to get up and eat Christmas dinner, that may have not been able to," Beard said. "From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you. I want you to be proud of what you have done and keep doing what you are doing."

Beard also asked the community to help in ensuring that each of the families have a turkey for Christmas dinner.

"We have 172 turkeys in the freezer, but we will need about 350," Beard said.

One Step Ministry serves the surrounding area including Senath, Mo.; Hornersville, Mo.; Cardwell, Mo.; Arbyrd, Mo.; Rives, Mo.; Leachville, Ark.; and Manilla, Ark., on a monthly basis.

Beard noted that all of the supplies, given through the organization, come through donations.

The give-away will be hosted at Trinity Community Church outside of Cardwell, on Highway 412. The event will begin at 9 a.m., on Saturday, December 19, and last until all of the people have been moved through the line, according to Beard.