Benevolence means kindness, compassion, generosity and goodwill. The goal of our Benevolence program at Beltline Church of Christ is to show kindness, compassion, generosity, and goodwill to those of our surrounding community who need help.
The Beltline Benevolence department is open most every Wednesday Night from 5:30pm - 6:45pm to interview those in need. The majority of our clients come from Morgan County. However, we have assisted individuals from Lawrence, Cullman, Limestone, Madison and other neighboring counties as well. We assist most often with food and clothes. However, we do assist with rent and utilities (most assistance is limited to approximately $35 for rent and utilities per request) on occasion. We do not assist individuals on a “regular” basis but hopefully until they can provide for themselves. We also assist periodically with the following:
- Local Free Clinic with prescription medication purchases
- Burnout victims (food/clothes/lodging for one or two nights and furniture/appliances)
- Transient assistance (lodging/food/gas)
- Furniture and appliances (as we have them available or donated to us)
- Congregational are (for members of our congregation as needed)
- Local Area Churches in providing clothes to Haiti and the Appalachian region of Kentucky
We are in contact with the Decatur Housing Authority, Decatur Utilities (and other local utility departments in the area), Social Workers with Decatur General Hospital, other local churches and many other local agencies on an almost weekly basis. These agencies (and many individuals in the community) refer those in need to us based off of our reputation in the community as being a Caring group of Christians. All requests are handled on a case by case basis with personal attention and love.
In addition to being opened on Wednesday nights to assist those in need, we also have different projects that we coordinate throughout the year such as:
- School Supply Drive
- Coats Because We Care
- Christmas Toy Give-Away
All the activity described above is only possible thru the generosity of our congregation and individuals in the community. Currently we are divided into four “night crews” (we are closed if there is a fifth Wednesday in the month) and two “day crews”. The two day crews work every other Wednesday during the day to sort/wash/arrange for the night crews; and the Four Night Crews interview and provide assistance with clothes and food and funding. If you are interested in working in this ministry or if you have any questions, please contact Allen Orman.
School Supply Drive
In June/July of each year we begin our annual School Supply Drive. We coordinate with Decatur City Elementary Schools for a “basic” list of supplies needed for the upcoming school year. We ask that these items be donated by members of the Church and then before school starts, our children package these supplies into individual “sets,” and we deliver them to the elementary schools. We also keep on hand a supply of these items for children outside Decatur City Schools and provide them as requested.
Coats Because We Care
Each year Beltline Church of Christ, Decatur City Fire Stations, and U S Cleaners on the Beltline collect new and good used coats for distribution to those in need of winter coats. U S Cleaners, each Fire Station, and the Church act as collection points, and we collect coats through October and have our Annual Coat Give-Away on the first Saturday of November. Church members provide encouraging notes which are put in the coat pockets encouraging these individuals and letting them know they are loved and thought of. In 2011, we gave away over 450 Coats.
Christmas Toy Give-Away
Throughout the year we collect good used and new toys. The first Sunday in December we have our annual Christmas Toy Give-Away for children 12 years old and younger. The congregation is always supportive of this activity and we help over 100 Families provide Christmas for their children. Many church members come and assist in this project on the Day of the give-away. Parents bring proof of the child’s age and we provide Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers for as many children as our supply allows.