A Critical Point in Time for CAM Food Pantries
July 11, 2012… Over the past 25 years, Christian Action Ministries (CAM) has helped to fight hunger in Taney County. Currently CAM operates food pantries in both Branson and Forsyth, as well as a monthly mobile outreach to eastern Taney County and an average of five major food drops per year. For several years now, the need has continued to escalate to the point that CAM is now assisting an average of over 1,000 families per month. Those seeking help are provided a four-day supply of nutritionally balanced food for each member of the family. Food drops, sponsored by various grants, enable families to gather a significant supply of food from a semi-truck load distributed at the First Baptist Church parking lot in Forsyth.
According to CAM Board Chairman Jack Burke, “We have been blessed with an extremely supportive community that has enabled us to continually meet the needs and actually expand our services. However we are approaching a critical point in time with the Farm Bill of 2012 that is now being debated in Congress. As it stands, the bill would cut approximately $16 billion dollars from the SNAP Program (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program formerly known as food stamps). Since the majority of the people we help are on the SNAP program, these cutback will put additional strains on our supplies. Estimates vary, but experts predict that 1.8 to 3 million people will be cut from the SNAP program under the cutbacks in this bill.”
Burke went on to explain that there have also been recent cutbacks in the monthly shipments of federal commodities, “Normally we receive 6 to 7 commodity items per monthly shipment. This month it was reduced to only two items and it appears that this shortfall will continue for a while.”
When shortfalls hit the CAM inventory, CAM then proceeds to purchase subsidized food through the regional Ozark Food Harvest bank and/or supplement their stock with wholesale purchases from local food markets. The food bank is the first choice because CAM is able to purchase food for 12 to 18 cents per pound. The alternative of purchasing from retail food stores is considerably more expensive.
That’s where the problem is further compounded according to Burke, “Thanks to generous grants and specific fundraisers, we have substantial credits on hand to buy food from the Ozark Food Harvest. However, they have been hit by reductions as well and their current selection is very limited. That means we have to use cash on hand to buy direct from food stores. Local managers have been wonderful in keeping costs down for us, but it’s still 6 to 10 times more expensive than using the food bank.”
These economic hurdles increase the importance of CAM’s upcoming annual fundraiser, the 4th Annual Gospel Sing-Off to be held on September 2nd at Sight & Sound Theatres.
As Burke explained, “We still need more businesses and organizations to sign up as sponsors for the event in return for advertising in the program. Currently Branson Tourism Center and SIX are key sponsors for the event and we also have commitments from CenturyLink, L&J Plumbing, and the Titanic. But we definitely need more sponsors to help us raise the operational funds we need to continue serving the county.
Then of course we need the community to come out in force and attend the event. My goal is to fill Sight & Sound, which means a little more than 2,000 ticket sales.”
Sponsorship information and contestant entry information can be found at www.christianactionministries.org. Tickets can be purchased through Sight & Sound or Branson Tourism Center. Price is $12 for adults, $6 for children.
This year’s Sing-Off will open with a guest appearance by Branson’s Voices of Glory, top five finalists in America’s Got Talent and a closing appearance by last year’s winners, Southern Raised. Celebrity judges include George Dyer, Jak Knudsen, Monte Schisler, Ronnie Page, and one of the Voices of Glory. Emcee will again be Bob Hubbard of Foggy River Boys fame.
The Sing-Off features 10 finalists competing before a panel of celebrity judges. First place wins $1,500 plus 3 half-hour performance slots at Silver Dollar City on the following day for the closing of their Country Gospel Picnic festival. Second and third place win $1,000 and $500 respectively.
Christian Action Ministries operates food pantries in Branson and Forsyth, as well as a monthly mobile outreach to eastern Taney County communities. CAM is currently serving an average of 1,000 families per month. 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.
Jack Burke
Christian Action Ministries
[email protected]
417-527-8031
