Joseph's Storehouse is blessed with large truck loads of food each month to be a blessing to many in the community.
Cars begin lining up early before our gates open at 8:30 on giveaway day, which last until 11:30. There is plenty of food for everyone who comes during those times.
As I was listening to Tim McGraw sing his hit, “Humble and Kind” during the CMA’s the other night, I couldn’t help but think of Tony Bates.Tony has been a faithful supporter of Joseph’s Storehouse for many years now, and we praise God for the Bates Ford sponsorship funds we receive that help us feed the less fortunate in the community.
I sat down with Tony earlier this week and we exchanged testimonies of how God has blessed us more than we could deserve. Tony shared he’d gone from humble beginnings to where he is now, all to the glory of God. He told how, in his younger years, he had been so focused on working and making money that he had lost sight of the more important things in life.Then he had an epiphany and realized he’d rather be broke than be miserable, a point that he emphasized again and again. Humble and kind.
When I asked about Bates Ford, he told me he started working for Mr. Burchett back in February of 1990.Tony would have left in ’94, but Mr. Burchett offered him a partnership with rights to buy him out.So Tony stayed on, and in 2007, after Mr. Burchett’s passing, Tony exercised his option to purchase the remaining stock, and the business became Bate’s Ford.Now Tony also owns two tractor dealerships. God has truly blessed him, and Tony is quick to tell you why. It isn’t because he is something special, he’ll tell you, but because he’s a giver.
Tony gives a minimum of 10% of the profits from his business, plus he gives personally.Then he gives into the community as well. He supports schools, many programs at the fair, local ministries, and of course, Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry. He is our largest single supporter, but he doesn’t pat himself on the back about it.He said God told him several years ago, “it ain’t about me.”So Tony began putting money into ministries, and God has poured out His blessings on him.
Folks around Lebanon may know that Bates Ford supports the fair every year, and they may know he supports the schools. In fact, anyone needing funding for any school project will generally knock on his door. However, people may not realize all the extras he does for individuals in need; I won’t share any of his secrets here, but I will say it is amazing all he has been able to do.Tony didn’t share some of those stories with me to toot his own horn- he was giving glory to God.He’s quick to say that he does it because it’s a miracle he is where he is today, and that God has blessed him to be able to do it.God gives it to him so that he can bless others with it.You can’t out-give God. The more you give; the more He blesses you.Tony is living proof of God’s blessings, and he stays humble and kind.
It is that same humility and kindness that has graced Bob & Peggy Evans, Joseph's Storehouse Food Ministry founders, to continue to serve the Wilson County community all these years. God gave Bob a vision to feed the hungry, and He has blessed Joseph's Storehouse with people, like Tony Bates, who hook up with the vision to help those less fortunate than themselves. If you are not already a part of our ongoing support here at Joseph's, let me encourage you to consider partnering with us so that you, too, can enjoy the blessing of giving.
Praise God! We were blessed this month with a $10,000 check from Famous Footwear of Lebanon. One of their employees is a supporter of Joseph's Storehouse and nominated us for the donation. The funds were much needed. Our costs to freight in the truckloads of food have increased $200 per truckload, and utilities are also on the rise. As you know, the price of groceries themselves have gone up as well. So we are very appreciative to Famous Footwear and all of our donors who help us feed the community. We couldn't do it without all of your help.
Meet Jean Wigington. We were so blessed to have her join our staff in May of 2015. Here she shares her story of how JSFM has impacted her life.
"I was so tired and weary when Joseph’s Storehouse came into my life. See, I had been working outside my home for 39 years, along with nursing my sick mother for the last 7 years of her life. Things in this life are not always physically a blessing, but as God’s daughter, I held on to His Word in Proverbs 3:5-6: 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.' In March of 2015, my mother’s home became heaven, and I found myself unemployed and my day with no demands. For the first time in my adult life I could chose to spend my day doing whatever I wanted. So I chose to come and be a part of learning more about the Holy Bible and what God’s plan for my tomorrow might be. The refreshing, uplifting Overcomers Bible Study class with Brother Leonard Diebold and friends (held on Tuesday mornings at 9 AM here at JSFM) allowed me to see the families with needs in our community. The Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry staff and volunteers are putting into action God’s commandment to 'love one another.'
"This opened the door for me to become a part of the daily operations at Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry using my giftings and talents for our Lord. My tired and weary days are now encouraged and uplifted being a part of helping others who need HOPE. We all have something to give. Please ask your heart, 'what am I to give?' Together with the Lord we can all make a difference."
Around this time of year we become like little children, but instead of asking, "are we there yet?" we are asking, "is it spring yet?" We are ready for the cold, dark winter to be replaced with the warm sunshine of spring. While that is so true in the natural, it also holds true for the spiritual. When we've been in a cold, dark place, going through the hard times, the dry spells, we sometimes wonder when, if ever, we will see the sunshine again. Unfortunately, so very many of the people that come to us for food are in a spiritual winter. Before they can even get to spring, many of them have to be encouraged and given hope that the sun will shine again... they do not have to stay in the cold forever. Here at Joseph's Storehouse, we offer that hope, that encouraging word; we show them there is light at the end... the sun will shine again. We provide physical food for their bodies and spiritual food for their souls, for those who want it. The vast majority of the people tell us that the prayer and encouragement are worth as much, if not more, than the food. We follow God's commandment to love one another by being that hope and enouragement and meeting the needs of the people. It does no good to share the love of God in word and not follow it with deed for those in need. Please open your heart and help share the sunshine with those who are stuck in a cold, dark winter. We operate on donations, so please ask the Lord if He would have you help support the less fortunate in the community and bring hope to their lives. "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me."
We were so blessed to have an abundance of turkeys to give away during December... just in time for Christmas dinner. Many local businesses also conducted food drives among their employees to help out for the holidays. I could tell you with words about our December giveaway, but a picture is worth a thousand words so we'll show you a video instead.
