This month’s recipient of the Mercer Savings Bank Giving Mission donation is Grace Resurrection Community Center. The center began as a humble soup kitchen, which served needy members of the Greenville community once a week from a church basement. Today, the center has grown into a collaborative project shared by over twenty Christian churches.
A community-first organization, the center’s goal is to serve the needy people of Darke County. Curt Garrison, VP of the Board of Trustees for the center, describes the center’s mission thusly: “To provide food for the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothing to the naked and a Christian atmosphere to provide or further relationships with Christ.”
Established in 1999, the organization has since incorporated. It moved to its current location at 433 E. Water Street in Greenville, Ohio, in 2009 and purchased the building in 2011.
Serving Those in Need
The programs the center offers mirror the pillars of its mission.
“Currently we offer four service programs,” says Garrison, “the first being the soup kitchen, which delivers a meal at lunchtime Monday through Thursday. The next program is our food pantry. Folks can come from six to eight o’clock and receive an amount based upon their family. There is an income requirement with the food pantry.”
To fulfill its mission to provide clothing, they also offer a clothing bank where families can come in every Thursday from nine to three o’clock to browse available items, which are all free
“The last program is called the backpack program,” says Garrison. “And that’s a national program that delivers food every Friday to elementary students and provides them some food through the weekend.”
Serving in Uncertain Times
Due to the spread of COVID-19 and the economic toll it has taken on the community, the center’s programs are needed more than ever. The organization is always looking for volunteers!
“We have groups that are coming to help at the food bank on Mondays and Thursday where we hand out food,” Garrison says. “Through this trying time of the current virus, our ministry is a little bit different. So those who come and volunteer have very minimal, if any, contact with the folks who receive the donations. And that’s just to protect them, for their safety and for our clients’ safety.”
The Hands and Feet of the Ministry
The center relies on both volunteers and monetary donations to operate. Monetary donations are put right back into the ministry for the purchase of food for the pantry, soup kitchen supplies, and to offset some administrative costs.
“It’s important to note that this organization couldn’t operate without donations like (Mercer Savings Bank) has given,” Garrison says. “We have those who can physically come and be the hands and feet of the ministry. Then there are also those groups that can’t come, but can donate dollars. And without both of those groups, our organization couldn’t exist. So we want to thank you for that donation!”
How to Support Grace Resurrection Community Center
Grace Resurrection Community Center accepts contributions through the United Way, including donations of food or a monetary gift, which can be left in memory or honor of loved ones. All donations are tax-deductible.
For more information about the center, contact them at (937) 548-2595 or email grcc@grccenter.org. Also be sure to connect with them via their Facebook page to stay updated on all of their programs.
