|
2005: A TIME TO LOVE
Faith Mission
Outreach: Loving Northwest Alabama
“And the King will answer and
say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you’, Inasmuch as you did it to one
of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me!” Matthew 25:40
NKJV
Since August 2003, this scripture has taken
on a whole new meaning to Matthew and Cheryl Mangino. In obedience to
God, they walked away from a vibrant Youth Pastor position at the
exploding Faith Tabernacle Church in Florence to go back to their
hometown of Russellville, Alabama. The result of their obedience is
called “Faith Mission Outreach”, a center that feeds, clothes,
ministers, but most of all shows the Love of Christ to hundreds and
hundreds of people each week.
Once Matthew & Cheryl along with their two sons Tyler & Cory moved
back to their native Franklin County, they soon realized that the need
in the community was far beyond the natural eyes perspective. Sixteen
months later, an average of 600 people a week are being helped with
food, clothing and furniture.
Faith Mission Outreach has branched out into the neighborhood by
renting a home on the south side of Russellville. The house, known as
“Grace Place”, prepares around 100 hot plates of food each week. It
also provides a home atmosphere for the residents of the neighborhood
as well as forming relationships that opens doors for ministry.
FMO also provides an outreach service on Sunday mornings. The service
provides a positive basic life message that has drawn many who have
forsaken godly values and lost all hope. A hot meal is provided after
the outreach service.
Since they have already outgrown their remodeled 106 -year -old
building on Jackson Ave. in downtown Russellville, plans are underway
to purchase the adjacent building. They are also in the early stages
of preparing another location just a few blocks away from the main
property. The location is the old Russellville Hospital. The former
hospital will be a 52-room shelter that will provide temporary housing
for the homeless.
FAITH MISSION ASKING FOR HELP
Since the holidays are over, Faith Mission Outreach now is in need of
a lot of help from the community and surrounding area. Over the past
month, FMO has spent more than $4500 providing food, clothing and
Christmas gifts for local families in need. To be able to continue
giving at their present pace, they will need a generous outpouring
from the area.
“This is a real hard time of the year, primarily because of the cold,”
said FMO director Matt Mangino. With so many families spending what
little bit of money that they could on Christmas, added to the fact of
the rising utility costs this winter, the mission is now in need of
several items.
“Russellville Middle School students collected 2000 cans of food right
before the holidays and we probably have only 100 left,” Matt said.
“Canned food items are something that we could really use right now.
That is something that be kept in storage if we need to.”
One of the biggest concerns facing the mission each month are the huge
utility bills. December’s bill was over $900, and Matthew saws that
they expect at least that in the month of January. “Since this
building is 106 years old and very drafty, it is hard to keep the
utility costs down, even though we’ve done everything possible to keep
them down. Those kinds of bills are a huge burden to a non-profit
ministry.”
If more cold weather arrives as expected, the mission will need a lot
more warm blankets and electric space heaters to help many families
make it through the cold winter months. (Matthew also said that the
mission is in need of a commercial box truck to use to carry groceries
and furniture). “We are going to have to have a U-Haul style cargo
truck to pick up large amounts of food and furniture,” he said. “We
simply do not have the funds to go and buy one at this time.”
With the addition of a temporary homeless shelter expected to open
within the next few months, Matt said that FMO is in desperate need of
more volunteers. The shelter will be located on Coffee Street, just a
few blocks behind the main building. “With this type of growth we are
definitely going to need many, many more volunteers,” he said. “Our
volunteer staff will have to double in the next month to make this
work.” The shelter will provide food and lodging for families up to 30
days, as long as those that are unemployed are looking for work during
that time. “They won’t be for people to just lay around all day long
and watch television,” Matt said. “This will help them to be able to
save money enough for deposits for rent and utilities and help them
get back on their feet.”
The new shelter could easily become the largest in North Alabama, and
if that happens will require a tremendous outpouring from the Franklin
County area and all of Northwest Alabama, just as they’ve seen over
the last several months. “My heart has truly been moved by the people
of this city and this entire area,” he said. “Our nets are cast much
farther than I ever imagined in such a short time.”
If you’re looking for a place to really make a difference, then look
no farther than Faith Mission Outreach. Their address is 104 Jackson
Avenue South, right in downtown Russellville. If you would like to
call them and find out how you can help show the love of Jesus to
hundreds and hundreds of people each week, the number is (256)
331-4483.
God bless you Matthew, Cheryl, Tyler, Cory, and all of the dozens and
dozens of volunteers and supporters who have helped so many in such an
unselfish manner. We bless you in Jesus name and pray God’s richest
blessing on you. CG
|
