Newsletter
February, 2018
Here's What's Been Going on at Food for Families This Month!
VOLUNTEER NEEDED!
We are so thankful for all of our volunteers but we are still in need of help! We need truck drivers to pick up food from Walmart for our Saturday distributions! NO CDL required!

Please call 434-333-5162 if interested!
Monthly Numbers Served
January 2018
Food Distribution
801 Families Served
2,097 Individuals Served
677 Children (18 & under)
1,101 Adults (19-59)
319 Seniors (60+)
VALENTINE'S DAY DINNER!
This past month we had the opportunity to celebrate Valentine's Day with our neighbors for our weekly Wednesday Night Meal! We were to thankful to have Heritage Baptist Church host this evening. Members from the church spent time decorating the tables and baking a number of festive desserts for the evening.
They filled the room with fresh flowers, and placed candy treats at each table setting. With donations from the Community Access Network, they were also able to give out a bag full of personal care/hygiene items to each of our neighbors. Best of all, they spent time eating with and talking with our neighbors, making them feel truly loved! Thank you to all who contributed to this evening!
Katie's Place Serving our Neighbors!
Each week we have volunteers from Katie's Place, a non-profit Day Support Center for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The goal of Katie's Place is to help acclimate individuals into society, develop functional life and relationship skills and contribute to the community through jobs or volunteerism. Micah, the current program coordinator, describes how much their group loves coming to serve at Park View each week, "The girls practically run through the doors. They love knowing that they are giving back to their community."
Micah explained how he has seen improvement in the individual's ability to follow instructions, communication skills and motor skills.
"Coming to serve at Park View each week gives them purpose. It has been so cool to see them set goals each week and strive to reach those goals the following week. They love Ms. Deborah (one of our regular volunteers) and feel so loved by her." Thank you Katie's Place for being a part of our mission! We love having you!
Photo: (from left to right: Anna, Blaire, Anna, Micah)
PARK VIEW IS NOT ONLY CHANGING THE LIVES OF OUR NEIGHBORS, BUT OUR VOLUNTEERS AS WELL!
A college essay from one of our volunteer students:
My life revolves around the suburbs, private school uniforms, and parents who support my dreams. With my background, it was easy to be oblivious of the situations of those around me. And this is a serious problem. In fact, I would even say that it is one of the biggest problems my generation faces. We don't get outside of ourselves enough; we get so caught up in ourselves that we forget to walk in other people's shoes.

I started to work at a local food pantry called Park View Community Mission. The people I serve with every week have taught me how to love people better. As a teenager, I like to sleep in whenever I get the chance. But one day, my parents decided that we were going to get up early and help out at Park View. I was reluctant but my day was immediately brightened by one person. His name is JP. The moment I met JP, his joy and excitement for the work we were doing was contagious. He truly cares about everyone he comes in contact with. He knows how to love people well and I have had the privilege of serving alongside him. But I would have never been there if it wasn't for the community we were serving.

Park View helps out the underprivileged and homeless in my hometown. They can "shop" for groceries (in the food pantry) once a month and that service helps more than 2000 individuals each month. I made friends who not only serve but also depend on Park View for their food. One volunteer is a college football player who can't afford his own food. Another volunteer, close to my age, has 8 siblings and has never watched T.V. Another one of my friends works three jobs and still cannot make ends meet. I've been serving with her at church and had no idea she needed help until seeing her at Park View. My eyes are open, and I am determined to love them well. JP has taught me that it starts with a smile and God takes care of the rest. I do my best to help out every week at Park View, and I keep the neighbors in my prayers always, but I have been inspired by them to do more. Armed with my imagination, inspiration and determination to love people practically, I am ready to use my career to change the world. Willy Wonka said if you want to change the world, there's nothing to it. I believe that, and I will do it.
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GO BEYOND Education Program
First National Bank
The First National Bank has generously been funding and teaching classes for our neighbors. On Thursdays, while neighbors are waiting to shop, they have the opportunity to attend computer class; a 6 week long program to learn basic computer skills in Word, Excel & Power Point. Individuals who completed the first class will receive a computer to take home with them.
Please contact our office with any additional questions!
Did You Know???

The Community Access Network provides medical services to our neighbors in need for free or at a low cost right here at Park View.
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Lynchburg Prays
City Reach is a time to gather together and pray for Lynchburg and the surrounding area. This city-wide event will take place at E.C. Glass High School on Sunday, March 11 at 4pm. Join with area pastors, ministry leaders, and laypeople as we unite for the purpose of praying for our local communities and churches. We will seek God's wisdom and direction as we strive to reach and minister to the people of Lynchburg, and the surrounding area. A corporate prayer time will be followed by prayer stations at neighboring Miller Park.Come and join us and be a part of praying for God's movement in our community!
Needed Items!!!
*** Most needed items in RED
Hygiene: Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes Deodorant, Shampoo, Toilet Paper , Shaving Cream, Razors.
Baby: Baby Wipes, Diapers (all sizes), Baby Food/Cereal/Formula.
Kitchen & Home: Dish soap, Laundry Detergent
Food Items: Hamburger Helper, Rice, Macaroni & Cheese, Stuffing, Canned Meats (tuna, chicken), Chef Boyardee, Peanut butter Jelly, Canned fruit, Juice.
Clothing: Blankets, Winter Coats, Women's clothing, Men's clothing, Socks, Gloves/Hats/Scarves.
Kids' Corner: Crayons, Coloring/Reading Books, Puzzles, Games, Toys
Coffee Ministry: Coffee filters, coffee grounds, coffee creamers
The Ongoing Need!
Food for Families, an integral part of the Park View Community Mission, is currently providing about 800 families each month with supplemental groceries and essentials.
We need your help! With the generosity of Feeding America, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and Walmart, we have access to food at little cost. In order to fill our pantry with enough food for these families, we need your financial support to help with heating and cooling expenses, food refrigeration, utilities, vehicle maintenance, and operations. We are looking for Family Sponsors so that we can provide what is needed for each of these families. Please consider how you can financially support Food for Families with a donation that is sincerely appreciated.
Thank you to all our volunteers who work tirelessly to join us in fulfilling the mission and vision which God has called us to here! You all encourage us to keep on and we really wouldn't be able to do all that we do without you! We appreciate you all more than you know!
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
~ Proverbs 11:25
Food for Families Staff & Info.
Director, Food for Families
Assistant to the Director
Staff Asisstant
Office
Wed. Night Meal Coordinator
Gordy Harper
Rachel Koenig
Sarah Lagos
Steve Mays
Karen Bragg
gordyharper57@gmail.com
rnkoenig@liberty.edu
parkviewmission@gmail.com
parkviewmission@gmail.com
vette92lt1@aol.com
Office phone : 434-845-8468 ext.1
Office Hours : Wed. 8am—4pm, Thurs. 8am—5pm, Sat. 8am—3pm
Distribution Hours : Thurs. 2pm—4pm, Sat. 12pm—2pm
Wed. Night Meals : 4:30—Doors open 5:00—Music & Devotion 5:30—Dinner Served