Samaritans in 10th year of ministry

By PAT NEWMAN
pnewman@thecitizennews.com

Charlie Charping, administrator for Fayette Samaritans, recalls the day a mother came in for food for her three young children.

"As soon as she got it into the car, they started tearing into it," he said. Hungry people in Fayette County? You betcha.

The Samaritans are an all-volunteer group that works hand in hand with area churches to provide emergency assistance to families or individuals needing food or one-time financial aid. "We never turn anybody down for food," Charping said.

With the support of 31 churches and groups such as the Boy Scouts, the Samaritans have a well-stocked pantry of canned goods, a freezer of meat and two closets chock-full of clothing for citizens in need.

Their outreach operation began in 1991 with seven churches. Swamped with requests for food and financial aid, church pastors agreed that a central point for dispensing food and vouchers for those in need was timely. Not only would it free up their time to attend to their countless pastoral duties, but it would also discourage abuses of the food distribution programs.

In 1992 the Samaritans were chartered, and today operate from several offices and storerooms at the rear of the Fayette County Department of Family and Children Services between 9 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday.

Charping has been a Samaritan volunteer for five years and is one of about 60 men and women who offer their time to keep things running. He looks upon his job as a personal ministry, "...something I was called by the Lord to do," he explained.

Periodically throughout the interview, he is interrupted by volunteers seeking to solve the latest crisis. From supplying vouchers to single mothers for payment of utilities to supplying special children in foster care with diapers, the Samaritans try to meet the physical needs of Fayette County's less fortunate.

At times, the pantry's shelves are in short supply of necessary items, especially during the summer months when children are home from school and not participating in government-supported breakfast and lunch programs, Charping noted. Luckily, there are several churches that provide financial donations, which helps to fill the void.

After the Boy Scouts' winter food drive, Charping found that 30 percent of what had been collected was canned green beans and canned corn. Not that it isn't needed and appreciated, but the Samaritans seek to balance their clients' diets with meats and fruits as well, he said.

A nearby warehouse holds bedding, household items and out-of-season clothing, which the Samaritans also keep on hand.

Stories about throw-away children, seniors in need of food and clothing, and single mothers about to be evicted from their homes seem almost unbelievable in Fayette County, but they are heart-wrenchingly true, Charping admits.

Soon the Samaritans will be gearing up for the holidays and providing Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for individuals and families referred to them by DFACS and the churches.

The Samaritans are a unique volunteer family with plenty of room to grow in staffing but not in physical space. Charping said their greatest need is additional space, like 20,000 square feet. Persons wishing to volunteers with the Samaritans can contact the office by phoning 770-460-2586.

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