In its 25th holiday season, the Choctaw County Baptist Food Ministry must elevate the pace with collection and distribution. The ministry marked 25 years of year-round operation earlier this year. And in the months of November and December, the items distributed through the ministry become even more essential for area individuals and families as donations have been down for several years. About 20 percent of the people in Choctaw County suffer from food insecurity, which means they do not know from where their next meal will come. Michael Bishop, inventory/operations manager for the local food ministry, cited the Feeding America statistic in explaining the necessity of help for these persons. Feeding America is the largest charity of food networks, including Mississippi Food Network, working to end hunger nationwide. “It is hard to believe the number of people locally in need of food. Although we do not offer much, we help our clients get over the hump weekly, including providing a spiritual blessing through our service,” Bishop said. The 2022 Holiday Food Drive is underway in Choctaw County. This year’s goal for the food ministry, or food pantry as it is commonly known, is to secure 8,000 pounds of food for distribution. All donations will benefit the ministry, housed at Broken Wings, at 168 Jailhouse Road. The last pick up by clients before Christmas will be Wednesday, December 21. For the Holiday Food Drive, the food ministry accepts nonperishable and canned food items or monetary contributions. Donations can be made at the Food Ministry and Broken Wings Thrift Shop, Tuesday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; the Choctaw County Extension office, Monday Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; and the Ackerman SuperValu, Saturday, November 26 and Saturday, December 3, 9 a.m.–noon. The food ministry, managed by the Choctaw County Baptist Association Board and accountable to the USDA and the Mississippi Food Network, provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families and senior citizens. Assistance is based solely on household income and size with proof of income and Choctaw County residency. Every Wednesday, for most of the year, some 200 families (around 362 persons), with an approved USDA application, are served by the food ministry. They receive a standard box of items through a basic drive-through distribution system. “One of the great things about the food ministry is that one standard box allows us to treat everyone the same,” Bishop said. In the past several years, Bishop notes, the pace at which the items are received is sometimes slow, and the amount available has been less. Therefore, he encourages as many donations as possible. Although volunteers and clients may change, Bishop is a constant in his role. Since 2018, he has served as inventory/operations manager, having started as a volunteer in 2011. He is proud of what he does and very busy, whether it be with administrative duties or personally securing items from any place that will donate. And the food ministry operates from various sources of funding, including grants and contributions, along with a stream of support from various churches in the county and the Mississippi Food Network. The list of contributors of late, includes area Dollar General Stores, Entergy, Kroger in Starkville, Mississippi Lignite Mining Company, and Wal-Mart in Louisville. Besides Bishop, the entire effort is volunteer driven. “I usually have a volunteer corps of eight people for our primary distribution on Wednesdays from 8:30–11:30 a.m. and then 2 or 3 more volunteer at various times,” Bishop said. “However, we really need more help, and I would love for persons to assist whenever they can.” He continued, “This team of volunteers deserves to be in the spotlight every week. It is their service day by-day and year-after year that will never be forgotten.” Choctaw County children and parents also assist the food ministry. Schools in the district participate by collecting canned food that will primarily make its way to the food pantry in November and December. Along with year-round food donations, monetary contributions are always appreciated. Individuals, businesses, or groups may deliver items or monetary contributions on site or mail them to the Choctaw Baptist Food Ministry, P.O. Box 854, Ackerman MS, 39735. As a rule of thumb for the ministry, every $1 given can help in some way with 10 meals. “The food ministry is a great way to gain community service hours and a heartfelt reward,” Bishop said. “Giving your time is always one of the most wonderful ways to assist others, particularly during the holidays.”
