Food Cooperative Begins

No doubt if you drive by the Union Mission, on most days, you will likely see a line of people out the front door waiting patiently to receive a food box.   The demand for food has increased in our community and Union Mission's 50 boxes per month in 2010, has now risen to gifting about 600 boxes per month to families in need.    

The increase has placed stress upon the Mission with increased need for finances and staff.   We have determined that those who receive, and those who give, need a change in the process.    We believe we have a solution and that solution begins February 1.

Beginning in February our community is invited to join one of six Food Co-ops that will meet twice monthly at Union Mission.  Participants will not only enjoy no food lines, but will also have opportunity to receive two food boxes per month in the new Food Co-op.   The Co-op will be run by participants who will elect officers within the Co-op and fill their own boxes at each meeting.   Dues of $2.00 per meeting will be expected from each participant.  The dues paid at the Co-op are not used for the purchase of food.  Food will still come from donations received into our pantry from the community and other sources.  "We simply pass on food donations to the public to those in need." said LaCount Anderson, Executive Director of Union Mission.  "The new food Co-op will enable us to not only give out the food donations in a more effective manner, but will also give recipients opportunity to receive food with dignity and participate in educational opportunities that will occur within the Co-op meetings." he stated.  

To enroll in a Union Mission Food Cooperative is easy.   Participants should come by the Mission at 1310 Roanoke Ave. Roanoke Rapids, NC to sign up for one of the six cooperatives.  The Co-ops will meet on the second and fourth week of each month (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).   Should someone not desire to enroll in the food cooperative we will still offer a monthly food distribution.  Union Mission is open Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.   The public is welcome to join in this innovative food distribution opportunity.    

Union Mission Presents March 10

Click this link to find out about our upcoming fundraising concert

http://tinyurl.com/83n57ph

Order tickets Online :   www.etix.com   (Search box:  union mission)

The Latest Newsletter from Union Mission

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Union Mission feeds 1,110 people

The excitement was evident as I entered the lobby of Union Mission.    Many volunteers had arrived early to help with the Annual Thanksgiving Community Meal.   As I moved into the kitchen area volunteers were busy preparing plates to be taken to Becker Manor and UM Cook, Dee Sloop, was busy giving instruction to portion sizes of each plate.    Melissa Moseley was busy orienting our new volunteers who had arrived from Littleton, Nashville, Dunn and towns located in the Roanoke Valley.   From my perspective the whole event moved along like a finely tuned machine as we fellowshipped together with friends and family.   I loved seeing families sit down together to eat and just enjoy being at Union Mission.   When all was complete Union Mission set a new record of serving 1,110 people.   This is our 60th year as an organization and it was a wonderful site to see so many come together to thank God for His blessings.   Thanks to all who sacrificed to volunteer.  This event would not have been possible without our wonderful volunteers.  

LaCount Anderson
Executive Director

Invisible Neighbor?

Some months ago I had the opportunity to attend a worship service in a large church located in a major southern city.    The minister was away and I enjoyed hearing from the president of the local university.  In the sermon, the president of this large university was talking about homeless people and the need for the Christian church to become more involved.    He gave an illustration from his own local church that is located in the downtown area across the street from the University.      I was inspired by his illustration relating to the fact that homeless people would come into the doors of his local church and worship on Sunday.   The illustration continued to state that the homeless visitors were comfortable on the back pew of the church.   

This story has haunted me for a long time now.   What haunts me is the fact that these people are recognized by this university president as “homeless.”    Apparently the individuals with whom he identifies as “homeless” are in shabby clothes, and appear to be the stereotypical picture of which we have all become accustomed.    This thought has occurred to me.   Why would a regular attender to a worship service continue to look “homeless?”   Is it that we tolerate the “look” and are happy to see a homeless person in our worship sanctuaries but are not willing to do anything about helping that person get some new clothes?   Further why would we allow a homeless person to sit on the back row of our sanctuary without reaching out to that human being?   Why wouldn’t we assist her in finding a place to live so she would not be homeless? 

Here is my struggle today.   Are our Christian antennas that dull to those around us?   Are we so accustomed to seeing that person and recognize them as just part of the landscape?    Have we lost the compassion for helping the human being who needs a place to stay and clothes to wear?   Why is it that there are visibly homeless people attending our churches?    Once we have identified a person in need, why is it we don’t take the next step and do something?    I reflect upon the story Jesus told about the Good Samaritan.   Before the Samaritan arrived on the scene of the beaten and naked man, there were two “church” people who came before him; people who were unable to see the need or were too busy to stop and help.   Maybe they just didn’t “see” the man.  He was a part of the landscape.   There is a great book by John Ashman entitled Invisible Neighbors.    I love the subtitle:  “If you don’t see them, you’re not looking.”

LaCount Anderson

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Blanket Bundles

On November 12, WRTP – His Radio,  will sponsor again this year Blanket Bundles.    You are asked to put 20 grocery items in a blanket, tie it up with cord or string, and bring to the Walmart Superstore located at 251 Premier Blvd.  Roanoke Rapids, NC.   The collection will take place at Walmart from noon until 4:00 PM.    Blanket Bundles has been a great help to the ministry of Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids over the past years.   They are in great need of food in that the demand upon food box distribution has never been greater.   Currently Union Mission is distributing over 1000 boxes per month to those who are in need.    The food is distributed Monday – Friday from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM at 1310 Roanoke Ave.  Roanoke Rapids, NC   

Future Events at Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids, Inc.:

·         Annual Thanksgiving Community Meal November 23, 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM  (volunteer workers needed.   Frozen Turkeys needed)

·         Spring Concert – March 10, 2011   6:00 PM at The Centre.  

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Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner November 23

Once again Union Mission will host the Thanksgiving Community Dinner on November 23 from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM.  Everyone is invited to come to the Mission for a fellowship meal.   We are excited again to be able to carry on this tradition that has been happening at Union Mission for a number of years.  We welcome volunteers to help serve, drive, and greet people.  We also welcome the donation of Turkeys to be a part of our menu.   Plans include serving some 900 plates of food to the community during the November 23 event. 

If you would like to assist in preparation please contact Melissa Manning - 252-537-3372 Ex. 22.  You can email her at:  melissa@umrr.org.