Churches come together for Sing Out for Hunger event to benefit food pantry

In one year, the number of families using the Jackson Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry has more than doubled, the organization's president said Sunday at a benefit concert in Jackson.

To raise money and collect food for the pantry, more than 125 people from various area congregations gathered at New McKendree United Methodist Church's south campus to hear four groups perform contemporary Christian songs.

It's the second year a local church has hosted Sing Out For Hunger, which the Jackson Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry organizes twice per year.

With about 175 families seeking assistance through the food pantry each month since January -- compared to around 60 per month at this time last year -- there's an increasing need for the community's help, Roethemeyer said.

"It's just another avenue or way of people being able to share their talent, but also welcome the offering and the gifts given for community needs," Roethemeyer said. "We're here to help the people that are hungry."

Matt Hale with First Baptist Church of Millersville performs at the Sing Out for Hunger benefit Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010 for the Jackson Ministerial Alliance. (Fred Lynch)

The Jackson Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry is designed to assist residents of Cape Girardeau County, not support them. The organization is funded in part by community and individual donations and also by the United Way of Southeast Missouri. Food donations, however, Roethemeyer said, come from all over the county. Several hundred pounds of non-perishable food items filled New McKendree's lobby from the event's attendees, including numerous boxes of canned vegetables from a group of children who recently participated in vacation Bible school.

"It's just an all around great community effort to serve the needs of those who come to us," Roethemeyer said.

Roni Putz, singer and member of Cape County Cowboy Church, performed three songs, including a contemporary rendition of "Amazing Grace" and "Anyway" by Martina McBride.

"That songs lifts the soul no matter where you are in life," Putz said.

Putz said she agreed to sing at the event as soon as she was asked by Julia Rushing, a New McKendree member who helped to organize the fundraiser. Cape County Cowboy Church also donated canned goods to the Jackson Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry.

The New McKendree Worship Team performs at the Sing Out for Hunger benefit Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010 for the Jackson Ministerial Alliance. (Fred Lynch)

"What a great way to bring people from different churches together," she said.

Musicians from First Baptist Church in Millersville, Mo., New McKendree, and Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson also performed Sunday.

The food pantry also provides emergency aid to people in crisis if not by offering them food, with vouchers for food, travel, prescriptions, and children and infant items.

Less than a week after the first Sing Out For Hunger, held at CrossRoads Fellowship last summer, members of the food pantry offered assistance to a family whose home was severely damaged by a fire, Roethemeyer said, demonstrating how quickly food items leave the pantry shelves.

"When people ask how we're doing, I always say we're doing fine, but every time we put in food, we don't just set it in there and save it for a rainy day. As soon as it comes in, it goes right back out to a family," Roethemeyer said. "We are very caring about the fact that Jesus has called us to share the gifts we have."

The Jackson Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry currently operates out of First Baptist Church at 212 S. High St. in Jackson.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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1770 S. Hope St., Jackson, MO

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