2014-15 Impact Report: Food Ministry

Donated cans from the 2015 City Food Drive 

Since January, we have received over 397,644 pounds of food from a variety of partners and have distributed 421,197 pounds to 46 organizations. Each Monday and Friday we distribute food to 20 partner ministries and agencies. The donations received help these ministries care for more people and increase their opportunities to serve in the community.

A few of the ministries and non-profits we serve include: Oak Mountain Mission, Brother Bryan Mission, Lovelady Center, Changed Lives Christian Center, Steps and Traditions, Restoration Ministry, Turning Point, Antioch Baptist Church, COH Dream Center, and Care Center Ministries. 

Donation Partners
Our largest donors are: Wood Fruitticher, Buffalo Rock, Greater Full Gospel (Publix), New Visions Enrichment, Squincher Corp, Flowers Bakery, Omni Foods City of Birmingham, and Magic City Harvest.

Programs
In addition to the weekly food distribution, we have several programs that help our partner ministries meet the food needs of those they are caring for. Voucher Boxes, Compassion Packs, STAIR and after school Bible study snacks are available to our partners for a small facilitation fee. 

We have distributed 1,500 voucher boxes since July 2014. This opportunity allows our partners to care for people with a one-week supply of groceries without having to worry about purchasing, storing, and managing a food pantry.

We distributed 3,500 Compassion Packs into schools so that hungry children have more food choices at home. And our Compassion Packs provide an inroad for ministries to be able to serve in the schools.

Gardens
The Birmingham Sharing Gardens is another program in the Food Ministry. Our 2015 goal is to share 5,000 pounds of produce with the community. These gardens use the produce to supplement their food pantries, care for their church members and neighbors, and provide learning and fun opportunities for the children participating in summer camps.

There are 6 community gardens located in: North Birmingham, Woodlawn, Fairfield, West End, Pratt City, East Lake, and at CSM in Avondale. Last summer, 3 participants in the Fairfield garden reported weight loss, new friendships, and a renewed energy all from working in the garden. So far this year we have harvested and distributed over 2,500 pounds of produce.

Working at Grace Garden in Fairfield

We added aquaponics and watched in amazement
at how the plants grew!

Antioch garden in Pratt City, planted for spring

New garden at CSM

Beans, okra, tomatoes, peppers, squash and more grew at the
CSM garden this spring and summer! 

Produce went to our partner ministries and to individuals in need

Planting at Greater Shiloh Baptist Church in West End

Our ministry partners were excited to receive the fresh produce to feed in their
care homes and to distribute to the communities they serve.

 

2014-15 Impact Report: Outreach Ministry

The majority of CSMs work is done through the local church and with partner ministries who are daily in the field providing care for those in need. This is a hard job. At CSM we are able to come alongside what they are doing and provide special opportunities using the resources we have to help them have a bigger impact in their community. Our ability to facilitate a large-scale program helps them to stay focused on the individuals in the community, building relationships, and spreading the Gospel.

CSM Programs
CSM’s programs include: Operation WE, Thanksgiving “Baskets of Kindness,” Christmas meals and gifts, Easter in Avondale, “I Remember Mom” Mother’s Day nursing home visits and luncheon, STAIR tutoring program at Oliver Elementary, Kids Across America camp, and Compassion Packs.

Highlights
Last summer we partnered with two churches to host Operation WE in Lynn Park. Over 3,000 people were reached. CSM provided over $96,000 in resources helping the churches multiply their efforts and reach more people.

2014: Distributing Operation WE in Lynn Park

In September, we partnered with United Way and were able to distribute 800 resource bags of school supplies to teachers. Our ministry partners delivered the supplies.

2014: Urban Hope delivering school supplies in Fairfield

This Thanksgiving and Christmas 2,500 meals were sponsored, purchased, packaged, and distributed into homes. Our partner churches saw an increase in church attendance with the recipients and it helped them build deeper relationships with those served.

2014: Thanksgiving Baskets of Kindness event

Easter is a wonderful time of remembrance and celebration and Avondale UMC brings together communities to celebrate that He Has Risen Indeed. They provide the service and we provide the food and cooking for the cookout while children enjoy an Easter egg hunt. It’s a great celebration just a few blocks from our Ministry Center in Avondale Park.

This summer 140 children and 12 adult leaders went to Kids Across America camp in June. CSM handles the logistics and sponsorships helping our ministry partners take children who would normally not be able to attend a summer camp away from Birmingham.

KAA campers leaving Birmingham at midnight on their way to camp!

In May we served 1,500 underserved moms who are in nursing homes. We treated them to a special gift bag and program. Our partner churches are able to care for moms who may be forgotten or alone because we are able to provide the resources and handle the logistics. 130 moms were treated to a Mother’s Day luncheon at South Highlands Presbyterian Church. This was the first time that some of these moms have been served in a way that truly honors the special role God has called mothers to.

This school year we tutored 8 second-graders all who were reading below a first-grade level. Our volunteers enjoyed helping the children not only with reading but also with all that they have going on in their lives.

2014-15 Impact Report: Housing Ministry

Safe and livable housing is at the core of community development. The Housing Ministry is in the community daily, interacting with residents, repairing homes, and building new homes. These improvements are possible by partnering with organizations and individuals who provide the funding and labor to complete these projects. 

Partnerships
Our partners know that we have the right people to lead and complete these projects. Because of our reputation for quality work and our commitment to community development, we are awarded opportunities to do great work throughout the city. This year we have partnered with ARCH, B.L. Harbert, CS Beatty, Drake Homes, the City of Birmingham, New Rising Star Baptist Church, Signature Homes, and Wells Fargo. 

Highlights
New Homes: 3 (ARCH)Homes 
Rehabilitated: 8
Home Projects: 33
Home Purchase: (1) Wells Fargo

We are so excited to be able improve neighborhoods and people's lives by helping to give them safe, livable homes.

2014: Gardner home dedication

2014: Home rehabilitation at Ms. Mary's house

2014: Building the Gardner home with Redeemer Lutheran, Damascus, MD

2015: New build for the Beasley family after the 2011 tornadoes
damaged her home beyond repair.

2015: Beasley home dedication

2015: Brazziel home in progress

2015: Building the walls for the Jackson home, new build