Seeing boxes of nonperishable food filling up the back rooms
and other storage areas of statewide Baptist association offices
is a common sight during the month of April. The large amounts of collected
items can make it difficult for staff members and visitors to move about.
Association directors, however, don’t seem to mind the inconvenience as they
encourage their churches collect more for Baptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH)
annual “Food Roundup.”
“It is our desire that through meaningful projects like the
Food Roundup, we can help each child know they are loved, regardless of their
circumstances or situation,” said John Pond, West Chowan Association director
of missions. West Chowan Association in Ahoskie is one of the food drive’s top
participating associations. Just as in years’ past, Pond leads his churches to
collect and give the needed items that will care for the daily needs of BCH’s
residents.
“Historically, BCH has been a vital part of the DNA
of West Chowan churches,” Pond said. “Our support of the
food drive is a part of who we are.”
The Food Roundup is a true partnership between associations
and Baptist Children’s Homes. Through help of associations and their
participating churches, BCH is able to serve more than 700,000 meals and snacks
to its residents.
Kay Parker, the youth consultant for the association, is
encouraging youth leaders to involve their young people with food collections.
“When you give it’s often more of a blessing for the giver,
and I think it’s important for our youth to experience that,” Parker said. “I
also believe it’s important children at BCH see that people their own age care
about them.”
West Chowan’s participation becomes
even more personal this year as BCH’s new group home in Ahoskie, Britton
Ministries, prepares to open its doors. Since they are located in the same
community, the association plans to deliver some of the donated items directly
to the new home.
“Everybody’s excited about the new home,” Parker said. “We
hope it will make participation in the food drive even greater.”
BCH president Michael C. Blackwell says the Food Roundup has
a tremendous impact on the children both physically and spiritually.
“Many of our boys and girls come from situations where their
needs did not come first,” he says. “The food drive shows our residents there
are adults who truly care for them. It is the love of Christ put into action.”
For more
information, visit www.bchfamily.org/foodroundup. Collection pick-up dates are
from April 25 to May 6. For additional information contact Alan Williams at
(800) 369-3669, ext. 1277.
(SPECIAL NOTE — Thank you for your continued support of the Biblical
Recorder site. During this interim period while we are searching for a new
Editor/President the comments section will be temporarily discontinued. Thank
you for your understanding and patience in this. If you do have comments or
issues with items we run, please contact [email protected]
or call 919-847-2127.)