One of the long standing traditions of Union Mission has been our annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution we do the weekend before Thanksgiving. For decades, Union Mission has provided holiday food boxes for thousands of families in the Kanawha Valley. Despite the pandemic, the distribution still managed to function each year. Last month we had our annual distribution event at Bible Center Church. Families came to receive food and to have Gospel discussions with the volunteer team at Bible Center. It was a great event.
What about December? You have probably noticed that we don’t promote a distribution day in December like we used to. Has Union Mission stopped feeding people in December? One thing I have tried to do with the services the mission offers is to stay as relevant as possible to the immediate needs of hurting people in our state. During the holiday season, a person in need in the Kanawha Valley has multiple options for seeking food assistance. There are several great organizations like Union Mission that offer food and the good news of the Gospel. But what about the people outside of the Kanawha Valley? What about the rural counties in central WV? How do they get help?
Every month of the year, Union Mission Outreach ministry sends food to over 12 pantries throughout the state. In December, we ramp up that distribution to include more pantries and increased amounts of food to the pantries we normally serve. We saw that so many people in rural counties didn’t have the opportunity to seek assistance like others can in urban areas. Many don’t have the means to travel to Charleston to get food. We decided to adjust and adapt our December food process to get the food to the people with the greatest need.
So, while it breaks a tradition Union Mission has held for decades of a food distribution event before Christmas and removes any opportunity for Union Mission’s brand to be seen (photo ops as our marketing guy would say), it allows us to meet people where they are in need. I don’t want Union Mission’s name to get in the way of Union Mission’s mission of helping the hurting people of West Virginia.
Thank you for your continued support. Your gifts allow us to supply these rural pantries with much needed food supplies for their local population. In a country as rich as ours, no one should ever be in need of food. Please continue to help us serve people in the name of Jesus.
