Joseph's Storehouse is blessed with large truck loads of food each month to be a blessing to many in the community.
Cars begin lining up early before our gates open at 8:30 on giveaway day, which last until 11:30. There is plenty of food for everyone who comes during those times.
Thanksgiving will be here in less than a month, and we have a lot to be thankful for this year. We are thankful for people like you that donate your time and your resources to help us keep the doors open. Without your generous gifts, we wouldn't be able to feed the multitude of less fortunate families in middle Tennessee.
In every face that comes through our doors, there's a story. Most people would prefer not to have to come to a food ministry to get help, but they find themselves in situations that necessitate it. Before even talking with them, their faces tell us a story. We see the worried looks of a young mother trying to feed her children on her own, and then the tears and thankfulness when she's offered a listening ear, a helping hand, a word of encouragement, and a big yellow wheelbarrow full of food, toiletries, household items, as well as toys & trinkets for the kids. We see the wrinkled, hagard faces of the elderly, many living alone and having to choose between buying medicine and buying food each month. Most of them tell us they couldn't make it through the month without our assistance. We see the faces that are distorted with pain, sickness and disease that have aged people beyond their years, and we are thankful we are here to help them through another month. We see the downtrodden faces of the men who have hit hard times and are now unable to provide for their families. Many are embarrased to have to lay down their pride and ask for assistance, but then they are thankful to find that there's no judgment for needing help. We are here to love the people with the love of God by feeding them, one soul at a time.
For all of you that help us in any capacity, we thank you.
"Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto Me."
Joseph's Storehouse warehouse manager, Robert Billings, coordinated efforts to collect and ship much-needed food, water and paper goods to areas ravaged by the fierce storms this month.
Joseph's Storehouse Food Ministry co-founder and Executive Director, Peggy Evans, expressed her appreciation for the faithful supporters and volunteers who, "donated their time and effort to help send life-saving food, water, and other items to several locations which have suffered such devastating and unimaginable damage from the monstrous hurricanes. We shipped a total of 12 pallets weighing over 16,000 pounds, including: 4 pallets of MREs (meals ready-to-eat); 3 pallets of canned goods; 2 pallets of bottled water; 1 pallet of hygiene products; 1 pallet of cookies and 1 pallet of assorted snacks and other goodies. The Bible tells us anyone who gives even a cup of cold water to one of these in Jesus' name will be rewarded. We are so appreciative of the people in this area who have assisted us in helping those who are in such desperate need."
While Joseph's Storehouse is known for feeding hundreds of middle Tennessee families each month, it isn't commonly known that we provide disaster relief assistance beyond our local service area. Victims of hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, and Irma, as well as victims of the Haitian earthquake and the Great Flood of 2010 have also been assisted through JSFM.
We couldn't do what we do without the faithful support of our donors. Thank you so much for your generosity.
JOSEPH'S STOREHOUSE FOOD MINISTRY IS PARTICIPATING IN THE BIG PAYBACK.
The Big Payback annual giving day is returning on Wednesday, May 3, and JOSEPH'S STOREHOUSE is excited to take part in this monumental event for the FIRST time.
The Big Payback, hosted by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, is a community-wide giving day that celebrates Middle Tennessee’s spirit of generosity and supports the life-changing work of area nonprofits.
Kicking off at midnight on Wednesday, May 3, the 24-hour online giving day helps organizations, like Joseph's Storehouse Food Ministry raise much-needed funds and bring awareness to pressing needs in our community.
Gifts made to Joseph's Storehouse during The Big Payback are amplified by incentives and awards and may help us qualify for special prizes and bonuses throughout the day.
Since its inception in 2014, Middle Tennessee’s annual day of giving has raised more than $6.75 million for nearly 800 area nonprofits, including schools and religious institutions. We hope to benefit from it this year.
We hope you’ll support JOSEPH'S STOREHOUSE FOOD MINISTRY and our mission to feed the world, one soul at a time, on Wednesday, May 3 during The Big Payback.
For more information, contact us or visit www.TheBigPayback.org. Thank YOU for your support!
As many of you know, our Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Bro. Bob Evans, has been struggling with Parkinson’s Disease for a while now. Sadly, his health has now deteriorated to the point he has had to retire from Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry. His daily presence here will be missed, but his legacy will continue on. His wife, Co-Founder, and Co-Executive Director, Sis. Peggy Evans will continue as Executive Director and daily operations will continue as they have been. Please keep Bro. Bob and Sis. Peggy in your prayers.
As I was listening to Tim McGraw sing his hit, “Humble and Kind” during the CMA’s the other night, I couldn’t help but think of Tony Bates.Tony has been a faithful supporter of Joseph’s Storehouse for many years now, and we praise God for the Bates Ford sponsorship funds we receive that help us feed the less fortunate in the community.
I sat down with Tony earlier this week and we exchanged testimonies of how God has blessed us more than we could deserve. Tony shared he’d gone from humble beginnings to where he is now, all to the glory of God. He told how, in his younger years, he had been so focused on working and making money that he had lost sight of the more important things in life.Then he had an epiphany and realized he’d rather be broke than be miserable, a point that he emphasized again and again. Humble and kind.
When I asked about Bates Ford, he told me he started working for Mr. Burchett back in February of 1990.Tony would have left in ’94, but Mr. Burchett offered him a partnership with rights to buy him out.So Tony stayed on, and in 2007, after Mr. Burchett’s passing, Tony exercised his option to purchase the remaining stock, and the business became Bate’s Ford.Now Tony also owns two tractor dealerships. God has truly blessed him, and Tony is quick to tell you why. It isn’t because he is something special, he’ll tell you, but because he’s a giver.
Tony gives a minimum of 10% of the profits from his business, plus he gives personally.Then he gives into the community as well. He supports schools, many programs at the fair, local ministries, and of course, Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry. He is our largest single supporter, but he doesn’t pat himself on the back about it.He said God told him several years ago, “it ain’t about me.”So Tony began putting money into ministries, and God has poured out His blessings on him.
Folks around Lebanon may know that Bates Ford supports the fair every year, and they may know he supports the schools. In fact, anyone needing funding for any school project will generally knock on his door. However, people may not realize all the extras he does for individuals in need; I won’t share any of his secrets here, but I will say it is amazing all he has been able to do.Tony didn’t share some of those stories with me to toot his own horn- he was giving glory to God.He’s quick to say that he does it because it’s a miracle he is where he is today, and that God has blessed him to be able to do it.God gives it to him so that he can bless others with it.You can’t out-give God. The more you give; the more He blesses you.Tony is living proof of God’s blessings, and he stays humble and kind.
It is that same humility and kindness that has graced Bob & Peggy Evans, Joseph's Storehouse Food Ministry founders, to continue to serve the Wilson County community all these years. God gave Bob a vision to feed the hungry, and He has blessed Joseph's Storehouse with people, like Tony Bates, who hook up with the vision to help those less fortunate than themselves. If you are not already a part of our ongoing support here at Joseph's, let me encourage you to consider partnering with us so that you, too, can enjoy the blessing of giving.
Praise God! We were blessed this month with a $10,000 check from Famous Footwear of Lebanon. One of their employees is a supporter of Joseph's Storehouse and nominated us for the donation. The funds were much needed. Our costs to freight in the truckloads of food have increased $200 per truckload, and utilities are also on the rise. As you know, the price of groceries themselves have gone up as well. So we are very appreciative to Famous Footwear and all of our donors who help us feed the community. We couldn't do it without all of your help.
Meet Jean Wigington. We were so blessed to have her join our staff in May of 2015. Here she shares her story of how JSFM has impacted her life.
"I was so tired and weary when Joseph’s Storehouse came into my life. See, I had been working outside my home for 39 years, along with nursing my sick mother for the last 7 years of her life. Things in this life are not always physically a blessing, but as God’s daughter, I held on to His Word in Proverbs 3:5-6: 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.' In March of 2015, my mother’s home became heaven, and I found myself unemployed and my day with no demands. For the first time in my adult life I could chose to spend my day doing whatever I wanted. So I chose to come and be a part of learning more about the Holy Bible and what God’s plan for my tomorrow might be. The refreshing, uplifting Overcomers Bible Study class with Brother Leonard Diebold and friends (held on Tuesday mornings at 9 AM here at JSFM) allowed me to see the families with needs in our community. The Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry staff and volunteers are putting into action God’s commandment to 'love one another.'
"This opened the door for me to become a part of the daily operations at Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry using my giftings and talents for our Lord. My tired and weary days are now encouraged and uplifted being a part of helping others who need HOPE. We all have something to give. Please ask your heart, 'what am I to give?' Together with the Lord we can all make a difference."
Around this time of year we become like little children, but instead of asking, "are we there yet?" we are asking, "is it spring yet?" We are ready for the cold, dark winter to be replaced with the warm sunshine of spring. While that is so true in the natural, it also holds true for the spiritual. When we've been in a cold, dark place, going through the hard times, the dry spells, we sometimes wonder when, if ever, we will see the sunshine again. Unfortunately, so very many of the people that come to us for food are in a spiritual winter. Before they can even get to spring, many of them have to be encouraged and given hope that the sun will shine again... they do not have to stay in the cold forever. Here at Joseph's Storehouse, we offer that hope, that encouraging word; we show them there is light at the end... the sun will shine again. We provide physical food for their bodies and spiritual food for their souls, for those who want it. The vast majority of the people tell us that the prayer and encouragement are worth as much, if not more, than the food. We follow God's commandment to love one another by being that hope and enouragement and meeting the needs of the people. It does no good to share the love of God in word and not follow it with deed for those in need. Please open your heart and help share the sunshine with those who are stuck in a cold, dark winter. We operate on donations, so please ask the Lord if He would have you help support the less fortunate in the community and bring hope to their lives. "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me."
We were so blessed to have an abundance of turkeys to give away during December... just in time for Christmas dinner. Many local businesses also conducted food drives among their employees to help out for the holidays. I could tell you with words about our December giveaway, but a picture is worth a thousand words so we'll show you a video instead.
We are three-quarters through our year and each month we have seen new faces come in for help. While we do have paperwork (and now the new computer system) that we have to maintain for our records and for the USDA government requirements, the families that come through our doors are much, much more than their card number we process through and send on their way. Each one has a story. Do you think people line up hours before we open just for the fun of it? Do you realize what it takes to humble yourself and ask for help? Yes, it comes easier for some than others. Unfortunately, many of the people we help are regulars who have been coming for years. I say unfortunately because it is a shame that the elderly, the disabled, the single parents can't make ends meet. On the other hand, those of us who work at Joseph's Storehouse have come to know these people like extended family. When we see them come in we can ask about their children and grandchildren (and great grandchildren). We can ask how their surgery went or if they are over their cold. We can ask if they got that job they were hoping for. While we may not have the foreknowledge of the new people, we take the time to listen to their stories of how they came to be here. This one was recently laid off from work. That one works for himself and had an accident that will keep him from working for months. This one's husband left her and the children and she doesn't know what to do. Another has terminal cancer with months to live. Everyone has a story. For all who come through our doors, we can pray with them, encourage them, and show them that God's love is still alive and well. We can touch their hearts, encourage their souls, and feed their bodies. Will you help us help them?
