Outreach Ministries dedicates new client-choice food room in memory of Roy Broadus

Shelby County Outreach Ministries invited the public to their Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, in celebration of their new client-choice food room, on Friday, December 1.

Shelby County Outreach Ministries, located at 930 Shelbyville street, exists solely to feed the hungry and assist the needy. Their motto is, "Striving to be the hands and heart of Christ in our community.” 

 The new client-choice food room will allow clients to select food their families will eat. On top of the updated food room, Outreach Ministries renovated their building, which was also a part of Friday’s ribbon cutting. 

Executive Director at Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Sherry Harding, said a few words before cutting the ribbon at Friday’s event.

“I want to welcome everyone to our new client-choice food room that we’re opening,” said Harding. “Hopefully this will give an opportunity for people to come and choose the food that their family will consume, alleviating waist,” she said. 

Prior to the client-choice food room, the Outreach Ministries would provide premade boxes for families. “I know myself, and there’s certain things I just don’t want, and we can all relate to that,” said Harding. “So we hope by giving a choice, they’ll be able to pick and choose what their family will consume.” 

Serving Shelby County for over 27 years, the non-profit organization operates off of grants and donations. Recently receiving several grants through the Temple Foundation, an East Texas organization who works alongside rural communities to alleviate poverty, has allowed the Outreach Ministries to make all these new and improved upgrades to their organization. 

“It is our desire that we help people learn to fish for themselves,” said Harding.

Alongside the new client-choice food room, the Outreach Ministries will be offering classes to those in the community, that teach about budgeting, healthy food choices and more. “We’re working with Feleshia Thompson, County Extension Agent, to come in and plan some classes, so be looking for that,” said Harding. 

During the ribbon cutting, Harding announced the Shelby County Outreach Ministries Board Members; Larry Cruse, Board President. Ann Blackwell, Treasurer. Amy Clouse, Secretary. Lilia Gonzalez, Board Member. Feleshia Thompson, Board Member. Donald Monroe, Board Member. Kristi McClelland, Board Member. James Ragan, Board Member. LaJuan Baugh, Board Member. Alan Ricketson, Board Member. Roy Blackshear, Board Member. 

“We have been blessed to have a good group of people working here, helping us keep everything going and afloat,” said Harding. “Such hearts of compassion.”

“Our secretary, Amy Clouse, she is Mr. Roy Broadus’s daughter, who we will dedicate our new food room in his memory,” said Harding. “She’s got the same compassion and love as her father,” she said. 

Pointing to the sign on the wall of the client-choice food room, Harding said, “We’re dedicating our new food room in memory of Mr. Roy Broadus. Mr. Roy was a Board Member for probably 20 years. He was a man with a servant's heart, always busy doing things to honor the Lord,” she said. “Just a few days ago, Mr. Roy went home to be with our Lord,” she said.

“Mr. Roy was always ‘fishing’ for men, women, boys and girls to know Jesus. He was always ‘fishing’ for donations and partners to help serve this community,” said Harding. 

“I would get so excited every time we’d get a grant or a big donation. I’d call him up and he’d say, ‘Have you been fishing?’ And I'd say, ‘Yes sir, I’ve been fishing.’  He’d say, ‘Have you got any nibbles?’ And I’d say, ‘Yes sir, we’ve got some nibbles.’”

“It takes all of us working together to help those that are in need,” said Harding. “What better person to dedicate our food room to, then the memory of Mr. Roy Broadus,” she said.

Over the last few years, the Outreach Ministries has undergone many changes, but their mission is still the same. “Our mission is feeding the hungry and assisting the needy of Shelby County. Our motto is, ‘Striving to be the hands and heart of Christ in our community,’” said Harding.

So far in 2023, the Outreach Ministries has issued 2,849 emergency food boxes. “The number of needs are growing monthly,” said Harding. “Anyone who goes to the grocery store can see first hand how there’s such a need for help. Most of the senior citizens we take care of and serve, are surviving off of $600 or less a month. Now that’s making difficult choices when you have to pay for bills, medication and food.” 

In 2023, the Outreach Ministries met 3,943 needs in Shelby Community, and served 19,510 emergency meals to senior citizens. “It’s been a blessing to see the smiles on their faces,” said Harding.

Shelby County Outreach Ministries offers a total of four programs for the community. Helping Hands, provides emergency food boxes for individuals and families that qualify each month and assistance with most utility bills for those who qualify. Helping Hands also can help with other necessities such as dental, hygiene, shelter, prescriptions and more.

 The Unique Boutique, is a resale shop containing anything from clothes and toys to furniture and decor. The Outreach Ministries gratefully accept quality donations and sell them at garage sale prices. This helps fund all programs of Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc.

The Senior Nutrition Site program serves hot meals to seniors every weekday. There is a suggested price of $5 each day. There are also several activities for seniors to do during the day including dominoes, cards, board games, video games, reading books and enjoying fellowship with each other.  

Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals to homebound seniors throughout Shelby County each week. Currently they are delivering approximately 5 meals each week to over 100 clients. Seniors who receive these meals are not able to drive or get out themselves. The Meals on Wheels driver will also check up on the seniors and visit with each client. Their driver delivers 5 frozen meals that are prepared at the Senior Site. They are freshly cooked and then frozen.  

Shelby County Outreach Ministries is located at 930 Shelbyville street and is open five days a week, Monday through Friday.  Clients are served from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. To learn more about Shelby County Outreach Ministries, you can visit their website at https://shelbycountyoutreach.org.