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.
The lyric of an old song goes, "don't worry, be happy." Most of us know that is easier said than done. Worry or anxiety is an emotion that we all are challenged with from time to time. Some more than others. If it is carried to the extreme, it can cause critical health issues such as a reduced immune systems, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, ulcers, and others.
The battle with anxiety can be exceedingly difficult to overcome by natural or medical means. Jesus had such a concern for us regarding this common struggle that He addressed it directly in His Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 6:25-34 gives us hope and a promise regarding worrying about this life. He says that if God gives attention to the needs of the birds and flowers, how much more will He do for us regarding our needs.
Jesus tells us not to worry, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:33)."The word "seek" in this verse means to keep on keeping on until one has obtained. What is Jesus charging us to diligently seek after until we have obtained it? The Kingdom of God and His righteousness. It has been said that the Kingdom of God is where God has rule and reign over all areas of our lives. His righteousness can be defined as the divine standard God has established for mankind's actions and attitudes to be in right standing with Him. Jesus is telling us if we will first seek God's rule and reign in our lives and live according to His divine standards, we will have everything that we need. That is truly a kingdom cure for worry. ~ God's Blessings, protection, and favor to all.
In the early hours of Tuesday, March 3rd, Middle Tennessee, including our own Wilson County, was hit hard with deadly tornadoes. The one that came through Wilson County stayed on the ground for over 60 miles. Davidson, Wilson, Smith and Putnam Counties were devasted. Countless homes and businesses were damaged and many were completely leveled. Lives were lost, and many others were injured. It was horrific.
Even though we were without power at our facilities, we immediately began coordinating with the Operation Blessing disaster response team to get an emergency tractor trailor full of food and supplies to meet the need. The truck and our power both came Wednesday afternoon, allowing us to start distributions early Thursday morning. We opened our doors for those who were able to come, and we sent food and supplies to other areas including Putnam County and Mt. Juliet. We worked through other local ministries with boots on the ground to distribute to those who were unable to come pickup for themselves. We have continued to work with other agencies and organizations to receive and distribute emergency assistance.
We were still providing disaster relief from the tornadoes when the newest disaster came on the scene: Covid-19. The coronavirus provides its own unique challenges. We have all had to change our way of life- some of us more drastically than others. During both of these disasters, we as a ministry, and we as a community, have come together to help our fellow man. We are asking for everyone to continue to do so. While some people are hoarding necessities at the expense of others who may be in need, we see the best in humanity as you reach out to ask what can you do, what can you give, to help the cause.
We expect more people than ever to need food, toiletries, diapers, and hygiene products during this unprecedented time in our history. For those of you who can afford to do so, we still need financial contributions to cover the costs of overhead. It takes $$ to pay the large electric bills that keep the big walk-in freezers and coolers going, and to pay for freight for the big trucks or maintenance and fuel for our own old trucks, as well as the numerous other expenses to keep us going. For others, donations of extra food or supplies you may have is always a blessing. For the young and healthy, we still need volunteers to help with the food giveaway so that we can keep our elderly and disabled volunteers safe. You may call us at 615-453-5777 or email us at loaejs@gmail.com for more information. Follow us on Facebook for continuous updated information.
Just to remind everyone of the changes this month, I am reposting this here as well.
DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS, THE FOLLOWING CHANGES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE MARCH 26th & 28th GIVEAWAYS:
We will NOT be opening the building up to the public.
We ask everyone to REMAIN IN YOUR CARS. You will be lined up in order of arrival.
Please have your JOSEPH'S STOREHOUSE CARD on your dash or in hand so that it is visible to our volunteers. You will be directed through the pickup line from there for volunteers to load your food.
Please make sure your car TRUNK IS EMPTY so that volunteers will be able to easily load them.
If you normally receive adult or baby DIAPERS, please have your need, including size, written on a slip of paper. We will try to accommodate those needs as well, but we cannot guarantee as these supplies are low due to the recent tornadoes.
WE ASK FOR YOUR PATIENCE AS THIS IS NEW TO US ALL.
VOLUNTEERS, please arrive between 8-8:30AM for assignments. Prayer room volunteers will be reassigned to other areas. We will try to have gloves available, but if you have your own, please bring a pair.
ABOVE ALL:
If you have (or anyone near you has) been sick or exhibited symptoms associated with the flu or Covid-19 virus, PLEASE STAY HOME.
Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:
Older adults
People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
Heart disease
Diabetes
Lung disease
Get ready for COVID-19 now
Take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick
If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease.
Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
Avoid crowds as much as possible.
Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.
Have supplies on hand
Contact your healthcare provider to ask about obtaining extra necessary medications to have on hand in case there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community and you need to stay home for a prolonged period of time.
If you cannot get extra medications, consider using mail-order for medications.
Be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (tissues, etc.) to treat fever and other symptoms. Most people will be able to recover from COVID-19 at home.
Have enough household items and groceries on hand so that you will be prepared to stay at home for a period of time.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)
Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
Avoid all non-essential travel including plane trips, and especially avoid embarking on cruise ships.
Take extra measures to put distance between yourself and other people to further reduce your risk of being exposed to this new virus.
Stay home as much as possible.
Consider ways of getting food brought to your house through family, social, or commercial networks
If a COVID-19 outbreak happens in your community, it could last for a long time. (An outbreak is when a large number of people suddenly get sick.) Depending on how severe the outbreak is, public health officials may recommend community actions to reduce people’s risk of being exposed to COVID-19. These actions can slow the spread and reduce the impact of disease.
Stay in touch with others by phone or email. You may need to ask for help from friends, family, neighbors, community health workers, etc. if you become sick.
Determine who can care for you if your caregiver gets sick.
Watch for symptoms and emergency warning signs
Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms including, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs*:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
What to do if you get sick
Stay home and call your doctor.
Call your healthcare provider and let them know about your symptoms. Tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help them take care of you and keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
Community preparedness planning for COVID-19 should include older adults and people with disabilities, and the organizations that support them in their communities, to ensure their needs are taken into consideration.
Many of these individuals live in the community, and many depend on services and supports provided in their homes or in the community to maintain their health and independence.
Know what medications your loved one is taking and see if you can help them have extra on hand.
Monitor food and other medical supplies (oxygen, incontinence, dialysis, wound care) needed and create a back-up plan.
Stock up on non-perishable food to have on hand in your home to minimize trips to stores.
If you care for a loved one living in a care facility, monitor the situation, ask about the health of the other residents frequently and know the protocol if there is an outbreak.
DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS, THE FOLLOWING CHANGES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE MARCH 26th & 28th GIVEAWAYS:
We will NOT be opening the building up to the public.
We ask everyone to REMAIN IN YOUR CARS. You will be lined up in order of arrival.
Please have your JOSEPH'S STOREHOUSE CARD on your dash or in hand so that it is visible to our volunteers. You will be directed through the pickup line from there for volunteers to load your food.
Please make sure your car TRUNK IS EMPTY so that volunteers will be able to easily load them.
If you normally receive adult or baby DIAPERS, please have your need, including size, written on a slip of paper. We will try to accommodate those needs as well, but we cannot guarantee as these supplies are low due to the recent tornadoes.
WE ASK FOR YOUR PATIENCE AS THIS IS NEW TO US ALL.
VOLUNTEERS, please arrive between 8-8:30AM for assignments. Prayer room volunteers will be reassigned to other areas. We will try to have gloves available, but if you have your own, please bring a pair.
ABOVE ALL:
If you have (or anyone near you has) been sick or exhibited symptoms associated with the flu or Covid-19 virus, PLEASE STAY HOME.
The Lebanon Award Program has awarded Joseph's Storehouse the 2019 Best of Lebanon award in the Food Bank category. What an honor! We are thankful to the LAP for the award, but we are most thankful for all of you who helped make the award possible. Each month we feed hundreds of families in Wilson County, as well as several families in the surrounding counties of Trousdale, Smith and DeKalb. November saw all time record numbers coming to receive help. Our Christmas giveaway is this week and we expect more of the same. Thank you to our board, our staff, our countless volunteers and donors who contribute to the success of our program. Together we share the love of God with the less fortunate by meeting their basic need for food and toiletries.
If you are not already a JSFM sponsor, would you consider giving to help a less fortunate family in our community? $50 provides an overflowing, extra large wheelbarrow full of food to a family to feed them for a month. You can give a one-time gift here at the holidays, or schedule monthly donations. Some can only give $10 per month; others sponsor two families by sending $100 each month. Whatever you can do, large or small, is greatly appreciated. Perhaps you could sponsor a food drive at your workplace, or even have your employer sponsor a matching gift for employee giving. There are many ways to support our mission: Feeding the world, one soul at a time.
Joseph's Storehouse exists to show the love of God to the people by reaching out and meeting their needs, specifically in the area of food ministry. Everyone who comes for food is also given the opportunity for one-on-one prayer if they so desire, and most of them do. Most of them also have thankful hearts... for the food and for the personal prayers. Each month we hear many stories of how we've impacted their lives. This month Vivian wrote to us:
"I just want to thank you for all you do. I was so upset about my Dad's cancer and all my emotions while caring for him. I don't know the older man's name that was praying with me, but I want to thank him for his prayers, kind words, advice and hug. His wife was the lady that was calling out the numbers.They are a sweet couple. Thanks [to Joseph's Storehouse] for giving me the supplies that I needed for my Dad. I was able to wash his hair, with the no rinse shampoo, and the pull ups were a blessing. Please remember Daddy in your prayers. He has stage 4 liver cancer and is very weak. I go to church every week, but yesterday, I needed someone to just talk with me, that I could be open with. I needed that, more than the food. Keep up the good work. God bless you all."
We hear so many stories like hers. More than the food, she needed someone to listen, to care, and to agree with her in prayer. That's what we do. We don't promote any specific church, or even a specific denomination. We promote the love of Jesus by showing the people that we care. We give them opporunity to ask for prayer of agreement over whatever area in their lives they wish to pray. We join our faith with theirs to believe God to meet their needs. In Vivian's case, she has a lot on her plate with her dad's cancer, but one of our prayer warriors helped lift that burden up to the Lord. Jesus said for us to come unto Him when we are burdened and heavy laden and that He would give us His rest. So she left not only with much needed food and supplies, but feeling much lighter and less burdened than when she came to receive food. Praise God! That's why we're here.
Your generous gifts help make what we do possible. If you are not already a financial supporter, please consider becoming a monthly contributor. $10, $25, $50 each month makes such a difference in the lives of the less fortunate in the community. If you are already a supporter, we thank you very much for your continued support. We also want to remind everyone that we only have a couple of months before the holidays. November and December are always the months we see the biggest need. Thank you for helping us help them. "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me."
Look for Joseph's Storehouse Food Ministry while you are visiting the famous Wilson County Fair August 16th-24th. We will be located in the Turner Evins Building. Be sure to stop by and get a freezer pop or some other treat. Grab a brochure to learn more about us. Make a donation to our cause... Feeding the less fortunate in our community.
Today's blog post comes to us courtesy of Apples of Gold Ministries. We appreciate the article and including Joseph's Storehouse Food Ministry in the story.
Just One More.
The other day I came in for lunch just as my husband was getting to the end of a 3-hour WWII war movie he’d been watching. As a general rule, I don’t watch them. Daddy lost his leg in WWII. Enough said. Anyway, he paused to tell me the gist of the story so that I would understand when they showed the interview of the real-life soldier, Desmond Doss, in his old age.
Doss was the first (possibly only?) conscientious objector to ever be awarded the medal of honor. He was a Christian, and carried his Bible instead of a gun, serving as a medic for his country. He gladly served in that role, but refused to take up arms to kill. My husband went on to tell how badly Doss was treated by the other men and his C.O. because he refused to carry a weapon, and because he devoted the sabbath (sundown Friday to sundown Saturday) to prayer and nothing else. They all considered him a coward, and as a result he was constantly hazed and ridiculed. They wanted to ship him out on a Section 8 for mental instability or court martial him, anything to get him away from their unit. Until one day, Doss single-handedly rescued roughly 75 of his fellow men, carrying them one-by-one off the ridge. (His C.O. said it was 100 men. Doss in his humiltity said it was more like 50, so the difference was split in the official record at 75.)
At this point, my husband stopped telling the story, and I watched the interviews (from several years ago) of Doss and his former C.O. and some others who were in their late 80s/early 90s by then. The men who had picked on him and ridiculed him for his faith owed him their lives. And they all refused to go to that final battle of Okinawa without him. Even after orders from central command, the C.O. and all of the men wouldn’t start until this soldier finished praying that morning... and they won the battle.
When they asked Doss how he saved all those men, he said he would pray, “Lord, help me get just one more.” And he took one down to safety, and prayed and took another. My husband said that in the movie, it showed Doss doing the impossible, with raw hands climbing up and down on that rope, but he just kept praying for God to let him get just one more until he got them all. I’ll be honest, it brought tears to my eyes.
In the world’s view, Doss had been considered a coward, and most didn’t want to go to war alongside him. In the end, they didn’t want to go without him. His C.O. said the men themselves didn’t really have a lot of faith in God, but they had a lot of faith in Doss and his belief in his God. They had seen firsthand as he walked the walk and not just talked the talk.
Oftentimes, we look at the world around us and it can be overwhelming to see the monumental problems. Evil abounds. Unfortunately, all too often we stay within our own little comfort zone and don’t dare to venture out to try to help with the bigger problems in the world. We think, what can I do? I’m just one person. That’s a lie from the enemy! The Bible says one of us can put a thousand to flight, and two of us can send the legions fleeing. One person with God can accomplish more than thousands without Him.
I’m sure most have heard the story of the little boy on the beach throwing the starfish back into the ocean. When asked how he thought he could possibly make a difference when there were so many, the boy replied, “it made a difference to this one,” as he threw it into the water. That’s the same attitude of the soldier. Just one more.
I sit on the board of our local food ministry, Joseph’s Storehouse, which feeds 400 or so families each month. When they come to get the food, they are offered to sit in faith services as well as offered one-on-one prayer. Not all want it, which is fine, but most do. Just this week, one came back and said she didn’t want prayer this time—she wanted to praise God. She had been bound with drug and alcohol addiction and many other problems, but God has set her free. Her life is now turned around and she is heading in the right direction. Joseph’s Storehouse made a difference to that one. I know we’ve made a difference in a lot of lives through the years, but like only one of the ten lepers that received healing came back to thank Jesus, we don’t always hear the success stories. However, we keep doing what God’s called us to do knowing we are “feeding the world, one soul at a time.”
We all need to have that mentality. We need to not look at the multitude, but look at the one. Pray for God to help us reach someone. Speak an encouraging word. Offer to pray for someone’s needs. Be kind. Be compassionate. Walk in love and forgiveness with everyone at all times. We may not ever know that someone had been planning on suicide, but for our prayer, or someone planning a school shooting, but changed his/her mind because of our kindness. Someone was hopeless, but we gave them hope. While we may never know the results, nonetheless, like the soldier and the little boy with the starfish, we focus on JUST ONE MORE.
We all start shopping for Christmas this time of year, and many of us already shop through Amazon. If you're not already aware, if you simply put "smile" in front of amazon, you land on Amazon Smile, which allows a portion of all of your purchases to be sent to the charity of your choice. We are an approved charity with them. You can support us simply by choosing us as your chosen charity when you shop at Amazon this holiday season. Login to amazon smile at smile.amazon.com/ch/64-1641617. #AmazonSmile#StartWithaSmile
Once you are set up with Joseph's Storehouse as your chosen charity, as long as your order through smile.amazon.com, a percentage of your purchases all year long will be donated to us to help support the needy in our community. In this way, you can give back without even opening your pocketbook. How great is that?! However, if you are able to open your pocketbook, we do need your ongoing support to help us keep the doors open and the food going out. This time of year is especially needful. Thank you again for your continued support of the work we are doing to help the less fortunate in the community.
A large portion of the people we serve are single parents, or families who have fallen on hard times. For them, school starting back in the fall is both a blessing and a burden. They are grateful the children will be in school receiving two meals each day, but they have the extra stress of school clothes and supplies to buy when they can't even afford food much of the time. Several churches in the area offer school supplies, backpacks and more. We also have resources for free clothing in our area, which is a blessing to those in need. Here at Joseph's Storehouse, we provide food, but sometimes we also have school supplies. Be sure to ask about them if you haven't been able to go to the big church giveaways.
Joyce Wilson has written an article to give parents some tips to make back to school time easier for everyone:
Start the School Year With a Bang
As summer draws to a close and brief hints of fall float through the air, the minds of kids and teenagers all across the land begin to turn toward school. Many may be anxious as they start a new school year. Their schedules are about to become busier and they’re starting a new grade or new school. Here is a bit of advice for how parents can help their kids feel excited instead of anxious for the beginning of a new school year.
Start Off Well
Mornings can often be the roughest part of the day for kids as everyone in the family scrambles to get up, get dressed, eat breakfast and fly out the door. Starting the family’s day in a calmer, more organized manner will get your kids off to school on a positive note. To do so, make sure your kids get enough sleep so they’ll be ready to get up in plenty of time. Prepare as much as possible the night before; gather school supplies, pack lunches and choose clothes. As parents, you should get up well before your kids - if you are rushed and flustered, they will be, too. You should also set up a morning routine for them so they know exactly what to do, including brushing their teeth, making their bed, unloading the dishwasher and eating breakfast.
Schedule It Out
Remember that it will take a few days at least to get back in the swing of the school schedule and adjust to the increased workload compared to summer, so give yourself and your kids some grace. Start adjusting their schedules a week or so before the actual first day of school so getting up earlier is not such a rude awakening. They will also have to get used to homework again, so help them out by setting up a well-lit, comfortable, uncluttered place for them to do their work when they get home. Give them a snack and some downtime before making them jump right into homework every day. Make sure you’re not overcommitted with extra-curricular activities as well. Too many places to go can wreak major havoc on your family’s schedule, and you’ll need some down time to just breathe as you adjust to the reality of a new schedule.
Get Organized
Taking stock of what should be organized as you start back to school will also help. Start by doing a thorough cleaning of each kid’s room and closet. Go through their clothes and donate, sell or hand down anything they have outgrown. Get their homework areas clean as well. Make sure you have extra school supplies at home. Kids always need paper, pencils, crayons and more when they’re deep into homework. Set up a calendar and filing system so everyone is up-to-date on schedules and your kids have a place to put the never-ending pipeline of papers that flow to and from school.
Also think about what new supplies or equipment you might need to buy. For example, if you have a younger child who'll be playing online games or doing online exercises as part of their schoolwork or if you have an older child who listens to music while doing homework, a good set of headphones is a solid back-to-school gear investment. Many options are relatively inexpensive and a decent pair can be found for less than $100.
Following these tips will reduce back-to-school chaos and anxiety in your family. In fact, they may even help your kids start to build some excitement for the new school year. The first day of school will be here before we know it. Have a great year!
