Perfect Storm Hits Christian Action Ministries (CAM)

September 20, 2011… When all of the forces of nature come together to wreak havoc in New England, they call it a “perfect storm”. Today in Taney County, Christian Action Ministries is wrestling with the forces of economics and scarcity in the distribution of food through their two pantries and mobile outreach.

CAM relies on several factors to keep the food shelves stocked.

• The federal commodity program is a monthly delivery from Ozarks Food Harvest of specific items generated through federal programs. These normally include about 8 to 9 different items such as frozen meat, canned vegetables and fruit, 32- ounce cans of fruit juice, peanut butter, and more.
• Purchasing of food that has been collected by Ozarks Food Harvest at a very nominal cost per pound, generally ranging from 14 to 24 cents per pound. From cereal to canned meats and meals, this accounts for a significant amount of the food distributed within Taney County.
• Purchasing of food from local grocery stores at a quantity discount to supplement the food supply.
• Food donated through local food drives.
• Local cash donations enabling CAM to purchase food and cover operational overhead.

The current problems impacting CAM include reduced receipt of federal commodities, reduced availability of food to purchase through Ozarks Food Harvest, and decreased cash contributions. Compounding all of this is dramatically increased demand for CAM’s services as executive director Pat Davis explained, “We haven’t been able to catch our breath before the winter demand this year. Over 1,400 hundred families requested help in August and that’s about 1,000 more than normal.”

Federal Commodities

No one at CAM is aware of the specific reasons, but the monthly federal commodity delivery has been reduced to just three items for the last two months. Board treasurer Dave Hoy said, “This month we’re only receiving frozen chicken, pasta, and pasta sauce. So in order to provide balanced nutrition we are forced to purchase canned vegetables and fruit to help supplement our inventory. And since supplies are low at Ozarks Food Harvest, we’ve had to purchase these items from local retailers at a higher cost. This is becoming extremely costly for CAM.”

The Food Bank

Ozarks Food Harvest, the regional food bank, is normally the primary resource for CAM’s purchases with warehouses full of food. Due to the demand of this year’s disasters and reduced donations from national sources, their shelves are pretty bare.
When CAM needed vegetables this past week, the food bank didn’t have any on hand. As a result CAM spent $649 to buy a pallet of 1,100 cans of vegetables from a local grocer. If it had been available through Ozarks Food Harvest, those vegetables would have only cost about $200.

The problem becomes even greater when you look at CAM’s purchase credits at the food bank. Board chairman Jack Burke explains, “We knew that demand was going up and donations were going down, so we were extremely excited at a grant opportunity that enabled us to double our money. Every dollar committed to Ozarks Food Harvest was doubled through this opportunity. As a result, we now have over $20,000 in food credits at the bank, but their supplies are so low we can’t really utilize this credit. Plus by committing those donations to the program, we have limited the money available to make purchases from outside retailers.”

Donations

Burke also said that cash donations for the year are down about 25% from last year with the biggest drop being in donations from businesses due to the sluggish economy.

According to Davis, “At this point in time we desperately need cash donations to enable us to continue purchasing food and we’re spending about five time the normal amount each month. But we also need more food drives, which will help decrease the amount of food we need to purchase. Hopefully the businesses that have had to cut back on their cash donations might be able to spearhead more food drives instead. We have faith that our community will rally to provide the support we need to balance our inventory and cover our overhead in God’s name.”

Christian Action Ministries operates food pantries in Branson and Forsyth, as well as a monthly mobile outreach to eastern Taney County communities. Year to date through August, CAM has already distributed nearly 160 tons of food to Taney County residents. Anyone wishing to organize a food drive, donate cash, food, or time, can call Pat Davis at 334-1157 or visit the CAM website at www.christianactionministries.org.

“Dies Vivendum Est” On Display At Boger Gallery

By: Austin Plummer

The Boger Gallery at College of the Ozarks currently is displaying the exhibition “dies vivendum est.” The exhibit runs through October 11 in the Boger Gallery, located on the ground floor of the Jones Learning Center.

“Dies vivendum est” is an exhibit of the Racela collection of 19th century photography, which ranges primarily from the 1840s to the 1880s. This collection is made up of many forms of early photography including daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and tintypes, along with paper albumen prints.

Some of the most powerful photographs in the collection are those from the Civil War. These incredible photographs give us a small view into the lives of the people during this difficult time. Every photograph in the collection is unique and has its own story to tell.

This Boger Gallery event is sponsored by the College of the Ozarks Art Department, and financial assistance is provided by the Missouri Arts Council. Boger Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 1-5 p.m. weekends. For more information contact Richard Cummings, Boger Gallery Director, at 417-690-2268 or e-mail [email protected].

Ex-Communist Dr. Marvin Olasky To Speak At Jones Auditorium

By: Matt Farmer

Students at College of the Ozarks will have the opportunity to hear the story of ex-communist Dr. Marvin Olasky on September 27, at 7 p.m. in Jones Auditorium.

Olasky is the editor-in-chief of “WORLD” magazine and author of more than 20 books, including The Tragedy of American Compassion. President George W. Bush has called him “compassionate conservatism’s leading thinker.” He is a widely-recognized conservative pundit, journalist and historian.

Born in Boston to a Jewish family, Olasky became an atheist and Marxist when he entered high school. He then joined the Communist Party in 1972. His beliefs made a complete reversal after a spiritual awakening at the University of Michigan when he read the New Testament in Russian. Olasky became a passionate supporter of the Christian Conservative movement. In 1992, he helped found the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas.

Olasky was provost of The King’s College in New York City from 2007 to 2011, prior to which he was a professor at the University of Texas at Austin journalism department from 2003-2007. He joined “WORLD” magazine in 1990 and became its editor-in-chief in 2001. He recently has been appointed as Professor of Journalism, and the inaugural holder of Patrick Henry College’s Distinguished Chair in Journalism and Public Policy.

In 1995, Olasky became an occasional advisor to Texas gubernatorial candidate George W. Bush. Bush made faith-based programs a major component of his 2000 presidential campaign, and Olasky’s academic work helped form the basis for Bush’s “compassionate conservatism.”

Students will receive priority seating for the event; remaining seats will be available to the public free of charge. For more information, please contact Christian Ministries at 417-690-3446.

KCOZ Radio Station Changes To Christian Format

By: Chelsea Kliethermes

College of the Ozark’s radio station 91.7 KCOZ transitioned from broadcasting light jazz to contemporary Christian today.

C of O junior Jacob Poole, who serves as the KCOZ program director as his college work education assignment, will oversee the Christian music selection. Fifteen other KCOZ student workers will aid Poole in the transition.

KCOZ also will broadcast live chapel services being held at the College’s Williams Memorial Chapel every Sunday beginning at 11a.m.

For further information please contact KCOZ General Manager Jae Jones at 417-690-3279 or [email protected].

The Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to our Inaugural Chamber Eggs & Issues Breakfast!

Please RSVP to the Chamber no later than Thursday, September 29th to 739-2564 or [email protected].

Sports & Spa Night at Murder Rock – September 17, 2011

The Communities at Branson Creek would like to invite you to attend our Sports & Spa night at the Murder Rock Golf & Country Club club house this Saturday, September 17 from 5:30 to 9:00pm.
To cover the Sports side….we will have three screens of College Football, Oklahoma vs. Florida State, a Wings & Things buffet with Bud Light on tap and more for ONLY $10 per person!
For the Spa side….we feature fruit and cheese and champaign and 15 minute sessions of nail polish change, shoulder massage, foot reflexology and aromatherapy scalp massage, all for only $10 per 15 minute session!

This is an RSVP event and space is limited – you must call by Friday, September, 16 to attend. Call 417-334-7818 for more information or to reserve your spot at the Sports & Spa Night at Murder Rock!

The Tea Party Patriot HQ, Andy Williams Moon River Theater and Veritas Communications Inc. are pleased to bring the Directors Cut Movie Premiere to The Moon River Theater in honor of all those families who have sacrificed for freedom for our nation.

On Sunday September 18 at 4:00 pm, the LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE will be shown in the Moon River Theater 2500 W 76 Country Blvd Branson, MO 65616 (417) 334 4500. Tickets are $5.00 and you can receive a $1.00 off coupon by visiting the Tea Party Patriot HQ located at 302 Veterans Blvd Branson, MO 65616 (417) 973 0034. The movie has been endorsed by Tony Orlando, Chuck Norris and many military generals partnering with FOLDS OF HONOR and WARRIORS OF FREEDOM with Major Ed Pulido. VERITAS, is unique in the film industry creating films for family, faith and freedom. The company focusing on family friendly entertainment with “God and Country” messages of patriotism and is now in pre-production for a Civil War historical fiction movie, SWORDS OF FIRE about the Battle of Franklin in November 1864.

This film was shot in partnership with Eastern Gate Films in Kansas and Colorado. “LAST OUNCE” is an emotionally powerful story of a Veteran Medal of Honor winner, Bob Revere who becomes Mayor and is fed up with the political correctness being forced on his small town. The Mayor is played by renowned actor Marshall Teague – starring in such movies as ROAD HOUSE, THE ROCK and ARMAGEDDON as well as appearing in many popular television series and Jennifer O’Neil of SUMMER OF 42 co-stars with Jenna Boyd from SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS in the movie.

Participants Sought For Survey Regarding Area Interest In Proposed Lab School

College of the Ozarks is determining the feasibility of opening a college preparatory lab school on campus. As part of the feasibility study, the College is asking interested individuals who have school aged children to take part in a brief survey that will be accessible September 14-30. Individuals willing to take part in the brief survey, which should take less than ten minutes to complete, may go to www.cofo.edu and click on the survey link.

“Input regarding interest in the school is vital to determining feasibility,” said Dr. Sue Head, study coordinator. “Participation will be greatly appreciated.”

The new secondary level school would reflect the College’s philosophical views by interweaving a biblical worldview, character education, and patriotism into rigorous academic curriculum grounded in the Great Books.

“In keeping with the College’s mission and vision, we hope to serve students in our area who seek a challenging curriculum with an intentional threading of service learning and work,” Dr. Head said. “The College was founded as a work school over one hundred years ago, and the new school would reflect the values of the founders.”

The proposed lab school would offer area youth the opportunity of an affordable, quality, Christian education with innovative programming, service learning, and small class sizes.

The feasibility study, which began in April, will conclude in October with a presentation to the College’s Board of Trustees.

For more information about the online survey, please contact The Keeter Center for Character Education at (417) 690-2242.