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Benevolence
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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 5:30 - 6:45 to interview those in need. 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). 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)
We have a small budget for transient assistance (lodging/food/gas)
We assist with furniture and appliances (as we have them available or donated to us)
We have a budge for Congregational Care (for members of our congregation as needed)
We assist with tornado/flood/hurricane/and most recently Tsunami relief with our Disaster Budget
All requests are handled on a case by case basis with personal attention and love.
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.
In addition to being opened on Wednesday nights to assist those in need, we also have different projects that we coordinate through out the year such as:
Dorcus Day (We use a Sunday Afternoon and items that we've collected during the previous year are given away to anyone who needs the items available)
Providing School supplies for under privileged children in the Decatur City School System
Toy Give-A-Way at Christmas (includes toys and stocking stuffers)
Warm Coats from Warm Harts (Collect coats and have one Saturday in October that Anyone needing a coat can receive a coat FREE)
In 2005 we will Begin a Semi-annual Meal for All those we see during the year
All the activity described above is only possible thru the generosity of our congregation and individuals in the community. If you are interested in working with us (currently we are divided into three primary groups; Groups one and two Split time and work every other Wednesday night interviewing and providing assistance; and group 3 works during the week in sorting/washing/arranging for the nightly workers) or have any questions, please contact Allen Orman or Jay Harriman.
