Canajoharie Christians keep wheels spinning for needy

They devote themselves to helping the poor and needy from one of the most economically depressed areas of the U.S. -- Appalachia -- through a ministry that feeds and clothes hundreds of poor families.

During May and October, these volunteers rent a full-sized tractor trailer; fill it with donations of food, clothing, furniture and medical supplies; and drive the goods to Kentucky.

Origins

"It all started back in 1987," she told The Evangelist, "when our parish Christian Welfare Committee decided to donate some items to families in the missions in Appalachia. We managed to collect some food and clothing, and had enough to rent a 22-foot Ryder truck. We filled the truck and drove it down there to deliver the items. We were so touched by the great need of those people that we've been going back ever since."

What started out with a small cadre of volunteers has blossomed into an ecumenical, community-wide effort that includes all the churches of Canajoharie as well as those in the surrounding towns of Sprakers, Fort Plain and Palatine Bridge. The program has attracted a long list of dedicated volunteers, including two major area employers: BeechNut Foods in Canajoharie and Power Logistics in Johnstown.

Year-long effort

"Once we accumulate a certain amount of items, I tell people to hold off for a while," said Mrs. Slaper.

The committee accepts anything that poor families might need to improve their situation, including furniture in good condition; medical supplies, such as walkers and canes; clothing; bedding; toys; and all household items. The largest donation comes from BeechNut.

"Each time we plan a trip, they donate six pallets of baby food," she said. "Power Logistics donates loads of diapers, bar soap and paper products, such as toilet paper and napkins."

Truckin' on down

"In the past, we have raised the money for the truck fee through barbecues and raffles. This year, we are having a Christmas bazaar," she said.

To prepare the truck for delivery, committee members gather in the church parking lot to load the items. The volunteers come from Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Canajoharie; the Reformed Church of Canajoharie; St. John/St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Canajoharie, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Fort Plain.

If there are any local needy families that the group is aware of, they are given preferential treatment before items are loaded onto the truck.

"We want to take care of our own families, too," she said, adding that "they have priority."

Loading process

"We have it down to a science now," said Mrs. Slaper. "We use the assembly-line method of loading the boxes onto the truck:" The women sort and label the boxes, while the men load them.

"We have found that if we label them with designations such as 'woman, man, household goods, babies, shoes,' it is much easier. If we need to get to something quickly, we can just find the item name on the box and open it up. We don't have to go searching through the different boxes."

The Christian Welfare Committee consists of about ten members, some of whom have been active since the beginning. "They are all hard workers, and we couldn't get this done without them. It's a terrific group of people," Mrs. Slaper said.

Driving concern

"The drivers are wonderful," Mrs. Slaper said. "We usually have different drivers. The last two years, the drivers were so impressed with the people that they stayed to visit with them and got to know them. One driver told me that the people there deeply inspired him."

During the late autumn and winter months, when it is impossible to drive through the mountainous area, the committee collects money and sends it for Christmas. In January, they collect packets of vegetable and flower seeds.

"I usually send those down in March, just in time for spring planting," she said.

'Miraculous'

"The more we give, the more we get," she said, referring to the number of people that have come forward and continue to participate. "Every year, we get more volunteers. It is truly a miraculous thing."

(For more information about the mountain missions of the Lexington Diocese, contact the Mission Office at 1310 West Main St., Lexington, KY 40508-2048 or visit www.cdlex.org.)

(12-21-00) [[In-content Ad]]