Farmers, ecumenical ministry, and United Methodist pastor featured on RFD TV

10/17/2012
Rev. Roger Short

The Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Monsanto, and Feeding America have partnered to launch Invest an Acre, a program to encourage farmers across the country to donate one acre or more of crop proceeds to help fight hunger in their own communities. Inspired by Invest an Acre, Aliceville area farmer Annie Dee looked around for a local charity to which she might direct her farm's contribution. Dee discovered The Lord's Pantry.

The Lord's Pantry is a new ecumenical ministry housed in Aliceville First United Methodist Church. During the first three Tuesdays of September, volunteers received applications for food assistance and qualified them according to need, based on US Department of Agriculture guidelines. On the fourth Tuesday of September The Lord's Pantry volunteers distributed bags of groceries to 320 families. The food had been donated by individuals, churches, and area businesses. Some was bought with fundsdonated by the West Alabama Food Bank. After the food distribution volunteers went to wor, collecting funds and food items for the next scheduled food distribution on October 23.

"I see the hand of God at work in this," said Rev. Roger Short, pastor of Aliceville UMC. "With more than 340 families qualified for food assistance through The Lord's Pantry, the congregation I serve cannot minister to all unassisted.  But it's The Lord's Pantry; the Lord will provide."

This story has been filmed and featured on RFD-TV, a cable television network of interest to rural Americans. This Week in Agribusiness, a weekly show broadcast by RFD-TV, recently featured Aliceville area farmers and some of The Lord's Pantry volunteers in its programming. For three consecutive weeks the show promoted the Invest an Acre program, making use of film footage taken in the Aliceville area.

Film segments may be viewed at the following links:

 Sepember 22 show

September 29 show

October 6 show

Comments

1. Roger Short wrote on 10/18/2012 7:16:55 PM
To clarify: Some of the food was bought from the West Alabama Food Bank, using funds that had been donated to The Lord's Pantry.
2. Nancy Cole wrote on 10/19/2012 11:38:00 AM
It is so exciting to see this ministry blossom at AUMC!. They have been very intentional about reaching out to the community in many positive ways. The Lord's Pantry is another great ministry of this church. I applaud the leadership for desiring to be a healthy, vital congregation. I might add that they have been using Natural Church Development for the last three years to help determine their ministry directions.
3. Dorothy Ann Webster wrote on 10/22/2012 11:43:42 AM
Roger, what a blessing y'all are providing for your neighbors in need, and for your neighbors who are ready to give assistance. Indeed, I "see the hand of God at work in this" wonderful ministry, too!