Opportunities for givers and receivers to be blessed

Have you noticed the glass-fronted cabinets that are posted in public places around the county?
They are Blessing Boxes, just one more way this community is helping people who are facing difficult times. Donations of nonperishable foods can be placed in them, and those who need the supplies can remove enough for a meal or two, remembering to leave enough for others.
Blessing Boxes are located at:
* The Leoma Café, 2571 Highway 43 S., Leoma
* Word of Life Ministries, 3 Rabbit Trail Road, Leoma
* West Gaines Church of Christ, 420 West Gaines St., Lawrenceburg
* Lawrence County Health Department, 2379 Buffalo Rd., Lawrenceburg
* Loretto Library, 102 South Main St., Loretto
* Ethridge Elementary, 33 Main St., Ethridge
* Ingram Sowell Elementary, 510 7th St., Lawrenceburg
* Summertown Medical Clinic, 4955 Highway 43 N., Summertown
* Summertown Elementary, 319 Corbin St., Summertown
* Summertown Quik Mart, 9170 Hwy. 43 N., Summertown
* Summertown High School, 411 W. College St., Summertown
* St. John United Methodist Church, 324 West Gaines St., Lawrenceburg
* Sonset Fellowship, 204 Lawrence St., Lawrenceburg (this location also accepts clothing)
Thanks to those who build and install them, including the 2018-19 class of Leadership Lawrence County. That group is responsible for Blessing Boxes at the Health Department, Loretto Library, and Summertown Quik Mart.
Blessing Boxes are a great idea that benefit both givers and receivers. Hopefully, those who receive will be blessed in many ways and will be able to help others soon.
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There are other opportunities to give. God’s Storehouse, located at 425 Franke Street, accepts food Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. and 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Residents in need can get food every 30 days, based on USDA income guidelines.
You can also help God’s Storehouse with monetary gifts, and by donating (and buying) clothing and household items at The Community Thrift Store, 115 North Columbia Avenue, Lawrenceburg. It is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
In those ways, you also support a relatively new program sponsored by God’s Storehouse. A Community Meal is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday by a local church in Lawrenceburg. A hot meal prepared by these congregations is completely free, and most give a limited number of take-outs.
* The first Saturday of each month, Mars Hill and Antioch United Methodist Churches take turns preparing and serving the meal. This coming Saturday it will be at the former East End Methodist Church, 501 4th Street. The location changes permanently in April to the First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center (CLC), 212 Waterloo Street.
* Every second Saturday, the congregation of First United Methodist sponsors the meal at its CLC (location above).
* On the third Saturday, Coleman Memorial United Methodist provides the meal at 322 North Military Avenue.
* Every fourth Saturday, Immanuel Baptist Church sponsors the meal at 709 East Gaines Street.
* When a month has a fifth Saturday, First Presbyterian Church, at 252 Admiral Circle, and Harmony Church of the Nazarene, 904 Third Avenue, alternate sponsorship. According to my calendar, the next fifth Saturday is in May, and the meal will be at Harmony Church of the Nazarene.
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Other efforts in our community include:
The Jesus Mission at 203 Shelton Drive, St. Joseph accepts clothing and food donations and distributes them to those in need on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Each family can receive help once a month.
Monetary donations to The Jesus Mission can be made to an account in its name at Capital Bank, 202 S. Main Street, St. Joseph.
First United Methodist Church in Lawrenceburg operates the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, open from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Individuals and families can come every 30 days for food, household items and toiletries. The pantry is in a building on the west side of the church, which is at the corner of Waterloo Street and Mahr Avenue. If you care to donate, call the church at 762-3696.
Ethridge Church of Christ holds a Community Service meeting the fourth Wednesday of each month.  A devotional period of singing, prayer, and biblical message begins at 10 a.m., followed by a luncheon. Guests also receive a sack full of groceries to take home.  The church is at 3505 Hwy. 43 North, Ethridge. Learn how you can help by calling 829-2152.
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Seven Lawrenceburg churches are hosting Wednesday services during the Lenten season, and love offerings support the work of the Lawrence County Ministerial Association. This group primarily assists residents with utility bills, and provides transients one-night emergency accommodations.
Each service begins at noon and is followed by a light lunch. The first was held last Wednesday at Coleman Memorial United Methodist. Others in the series include:
* March 4 – First Baptist Church, 2100 Springer Road
* March 11 – Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 212 Berger Street
* March 18 – First United Methodist (see address above)
* March 25 – United Church, 716 South Locust
* April 1 – Immanuel Baptist (see address above)
* April 8 – Harmony Church of the Nazarene (see address above)
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This county is full of generous people, so I know this list is incomplete. Please let my office know about opportunities to give and receive, and we will publicize them on the “Lawrence County Tennessee Government” Facebook page. Call 766-4131.