2010 School Supplies for the Classroom

This year, Living Water embarked on a new project. Hutchinson County probation office had always provided school supplies for the teachers' classrooms but because of new state rules, they were no longer able to do it. So they asked us if we'd take it on...and we have. This week, we have given school supplies to the teachers of Hutchinson County for their classrooms. Lots of supplies.

We certainly wanted them to feel welcome at their new spot, so we appealed to their sweet tooth!

They were able to take what they thought they'd need. All we asked is that they left enough for those coming behind them.

We had things for preschoolers and all the way up to high schoolers.

Lots of things!

Our aim was to have some happy teachers...and I think we accomplished that goal!

By the way, teachers, we intend to stock school supplies all year long, so when you run out, come on back!

Wesley United Methodist Kids Help!

This week, we had a group of kids from Wesley United Methodist Church help us out! They were recently confirmed and as a social service project, they collected clothing and brought it to us.

These were a great group of kids!! And the best thing about it is that some of them cleaned out their own closets and donated their own things to us. Thanks, guys! And I loved the stoles you made.

Living Water has become a participant in the Ample Harvest project. If you are growing a vegetable garden this summer and have vegetables you'd like to share with others, please consider bringing them to Living Water at 103 W. 4th Street in Borger---and we'll be sure and share them those who have a need!!

Fans Wanted!

As summer approaches, we are going to need fans to give to the families in our area who don't have air conditioners in their homes. We usually start having a call for them at this time of year--all the way through the summer. If you have a fan you're not using, would you consider donating it to Living Water? Or you can donate funds and we'll do the purchasing for you! Thank you!

CURVES WINS!!

The ladies of Curves delivered the food in grocery baskets to Living Water.

Curves of Borger was recognized by Curves International as a winner in the company’s nationwide fundraising campaign to help food banks in local communities. Throughout the month of March, Curves of Borger raised over 16,409 pounds of food that was given to Living Water Benevolence Ministry to provide food to needy families in Hutchinson County. The final results raised by the Curves of Borger surpassed the goals set by owner, Clesta Collins. “We set a goal of collecting 1500 pounds and $200 which is the most we ever collected and would have been a “high water” mark for us. I had no idea that we could collect this amount and I still stand in amazement,” Collins said.

The drive had every Curves club in the country competing against each other,in a friendly competition to see which club could receive the most donations. To make the drive even more appealing to local members, Curves of Borger had a friendly competition between themselves, the three Curves clubs in Amarillo, and even the Sunday School Classes at First Baptist Church competing against each other. On the amount of support provided by the community, Collins said, “I think one of the reasons so many helped out is simply the people of Borger are generous and we are a caring community. But most importantly, I think it is the unmerited favor of God, we committed it to Him and He blessed it.”

The Clothing Room of Living Water

For those of you who have never been to Living Water, we wanted to give you a peek inside our clothing room and tell you about that part of our ministry. We receive our clothing from our community. When people clean out their closets, we are the beneficiaries. We ask for gently-used, clean clothing that is in season. We just don't have the space to store clothing from season to season. We receive those donations Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 103 W. 4th Street in Borger.

Zella McKinney is our clothing coordinator. She works tirelessly in our clothing room, sorting clothing into sizes and hanging it on our racks to make it easier for our clients to shop.

As you can see, our clothing room rivals any department store in town. We have about 4 volunteers that give of their time to keep it well-organized.

We have sizes from newborns to adults. We're always in need of children's clothing and men's jeans.

Our clients are allowed to shop once a month and are able to get as much as is available in the sizes for which they are shopping. Of course, in case of an emergency (such as a fire), our clothing room is available to help those in need.

And the best thing? It's all FREE!

And nothing is ever wasted or thrown away. If we can't use it, we send it to a Christian school in San Antonio who sells clothing to raise tuition for their students. And if they can't use it, they send it to Mexico. Our goal is to offer clothing that is in style and fashionable--something we would wear ourselves. I hope you've enjoyed a peek inside this ministry!

The Feinstein Foundation

THE FEINSTEIN FOUNDATION

The Alan Feinstein Foundation will divide $1 million among anti-hunger agencies nationwide who raise support for their agency from March through April of 2010. Donations can include cash, checks and food items as long as they are given through this challenge. So if you have considered donating funds or food to Living Water, please consider doing it before the end of April so we can apply for these funds! THANK YOU!