Outreach

Helping Hands Food Bank

Bethel Community Church (formerly Bethel Tabernacle), 34180 Omar Road, Frankford, DE 19945

The Food Bank was originally located in our church for many years, but after fundraising for three years, they have been able to build their own separate building with a concrete floor, various freezers, refrigerators, and a lot of shelving for non-perishables.

Barbara Athos (age 81) has run the program for over 20 years (in the past, she wrote long letters of thanks to our church). While she deals with chemotherapy and some loss of sight, Barbara remains very passionate about the program. The Food Bank is open on Mondays and Tuesdays, and they serve 70 families and individuals in the Frankford, Selbyville, and Bethany areas.

The most pressing need is primarily for meat, as well as for coffee. They receive non-perishables from various sources, and their slogan is "If we got it, you get it... If we don't got it, you're on your own to get it." They are always looking for bargains for meat, which they call "beef on sale". They also get chicken, fish, some meat, and some frozen foods from USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) for 9 1/2 months of the year, but that stops each year on June 1st and restarts September 1st, when it is renewed in the fall. They don't get hot dogs or sausages (which a lot of people request).

They get supplies from USDA, and St. George's United Methodist Church gives them $150 monthly. Community Lutheran Church donates around $300 quarterly, and The Lady's at Lord Baltimore donate non-perishables (also stopping during the summer). Donations also come from Good Samaritans, Carpenters for a Cause, Bethany Beach Christian Church, and individuals. Everything is greatly appreciated, and they are grateful for whatever comes in - they never know what they'll get. They also occasionally buy extra laundry soap at Dollar General. Volunteers use their own money on gas to pick up supplies, and no one receives a salary.

Bethel Community Church now serves a Black and White Community. The church itself looks prosperous and has a Youth Group and a Nursery. There is a nice flower bed with a drip system, built along a low wall and walk leading to their Fellowship Hall. This hall once housed the Food Bank, which now operates separately.

Community Resource Center

37510 Oyster House Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

The Community Resource Center has been helping neighbors in need for nearly 40 years. With dignity and respect, the CRC helps individuals and families get to the next step of their journey towards self-sufficiency and stability, offering a day shelter for homeless men and women, food, baby supplies, help with job searching, and emergency financial assistance with rent and utility payments.

In 1983, the Lewes-Rehoboth Association of Congregations (LRAC) created a program to provide financial assistance to individuals and families. In 2010, that program expanded with the purchase of the building on Oyster House Road, and in 2013, CRC was formed as a non-profit.

• Provides approximately $350,000 annually in financial assistance to help prevent evictions and utility shut-offs
• Hands out more than 54,000 bags of food to the hungry
• Provides baby supplies throughout the year for more than 750 families
• Hosts more than 3,200 visits to the Day Shelter for the homeless
• Offers budget and employment counseling to those seeking work and financial stability

The CRC offers assistance in the following ways:

• Food Rescue - Food contributions are accepted from individuals and groups. Fresh vegetables, meat, eggs, milk, and assorted canned goods are generously donated by grocery stores, restaurants, various groups, and individuals.
• Baby Pantry - Food, formula, diapers, books, and clothing are available to families in need. Donations are provided by various groups and individuals.
• Day Center - Access to a safe place is provided for homeless, helping to reduce time spent on the street. Various community groups and churches provide lunch Monday through Friday.

Those interested can also make an individual financial donation to the Community Resource Center or donate time by volunteering.

Nancy Alexander, Director of The CRC, is grateful for the support provided by Bethany Beach Christian Church. Mrs. Alexander reports that over the years, our congregation has provided nearly $4,000 for the Center. It is the hope of the Outreach Committee that we can continue to provide and possibly increase our support.

For more information and exact hours of operation, please visit the website at RehobothCommunityCenter.org.

Socrates Café

These are philosophical discussions around the world where people from different backgrounds get together and exchange thoughtful ideas and experiences. BBCC started a Socrates Café in 2013 as a Community Outreach project. In-person meetings are held in the Chapel on the first Tuesday of each month, from 2:00 - 3:30pm. We learn more when we question and question with others in a common quest to gain a better understanding of human nature. Meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend. For more information, please contact bonniejd.rae@gmail.com.

CROP Walk

The Crop Walk has become a Bethany Beach community-wide event. CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. It provides a great opportunity for our community to support six local food pantries, as well as provide funds for communities in our country and around the world who are recovering from recent disasters.

Walker donations go to Church World Service (CWS) - in existence since 1969 - for recovery aid to victims of recent disasters from around the world. CWS helps provide the tools, materials, and training to harvest crops to feed families and to start small businesses for a sustainable food source and income, as well as emergency services to those losing their homes and livelihood.

25% of donations to CWS will be returned to our Southeast Sussex County community for our local food needs. We know that our local food pantries see many families every week that need food in order to feed their families, save money for other bills, and supplement the minimum wages that they receive.

Walkers and donors are recruited from the community. Some choose not to walk, but instead to support the walkers. Entertainment is provided, with lots of camaraderie and fun!

Prayer Bear Program

This program started in a Hawaiian church and was adopted as an Outreach Program at BBCC in 2000. Congregational members donate bears, and these bears are available to anyone in need of a "hug" or "loving encouragement". They show that someone cares and serve as a visual and concrete acknowledgement. Each bear comes from BBCC with a small tag reading "God loves you and we do too". To date, BBCC has donated several hundreds of bears and has gotten a very positive response from recipients.