Statements

Mission

'Delivering grace with a box of food.' We provide a generous supply of basic food items, delivered by volunteers from local churches to the homes of families requesting help with an unexpected shortfall. "Delivering grace" refers to the Bible that families receive with food supplies. It also means that our service is offered as an imitation of the compassion of Christ - who was himself acquainted with human hardship. This is expressed as volunteers visit with people in need, providing basic groceries that are otherwise out of reach, and offering, without imposing, their prayers and genuine encouragement.

Background

Charis Ministries provides nonperishable staple foods to people who are experiencing a shortfall, packaged together and delivered to them in their home. We have served throughout Davidson and Williamson Counties since 1998. Local churches supply volunteers and food resources. Since food is available at other agencies throughout the community, we do not offer a location for pick-up but continue to provide the only delivery of emergency food supplies in Middle Tennessee.

Impact

Charis Ministries is the only emergency food provider in Middle Tennessee that delivers to the homes of callers. Each year we make 400 - 600 deliveries to households. Annually, the groceries meet an immediate need for some thousand or more people, almost half of whom are children (17 years and younger) or seniors (65 and over). The importance of this service is underscored by the fact that, for the majority of the families we help, a visit to the nearest food bank requires a round trip of almost three miles, while three-quarters of the families we help have no transportation. A different measure of impact is found in the interaction that occurs between volunteers and recipients. Some form of meaningful engagement - conversation on a spiritual level, praying together, shared encouragement - occurs in over half of the visits. Our work is based on the importance of each individual household in need. We are committed to making a disproportionately significant effort in order to serve each one.

Needs

1. Typically, food drives held by churches and schools supply most of the groceries we distribute. Food supplies are inadequate currently and much of the year, so we welcome organizations to contact us about hosting a food collection among members, students, or neighbors, or to donate funds toward this need. 2. Charis Ministries is committed to utilizing volunteers from local churches for food deliveries, so we welcome contact by churches about engaging their members.

CEO Statement

There are Middle Tennessee families who need food. Many live marginally year after year; many others are surprised when, for the first time ever, they are unable to provide for themselves. Feeding America (Second Harvest) and other food pantries help many - but not all who need it. Some people cannot walk to a food bank, or carry food for a return trip. Fewer than half of those needing food own a car; city buses and the favor of friends are costly and uncertain. Most pantries operate on a limited weekday schedule, unavailable to the daytime-employed. Each year, one in five pantry clients reports at least one instance when food was inaccessible to them - a statistic that ignores those who never visit a pantry. We believe food that is intended to help should be accessible to those who need it -- where they live, throughout the year. We believe that compassionate service should not be limited by the measure of its efficiency. We believe in going the second mile. This is why we deliver emergency food boxes to people in their homes. Callers learn about us from United Way's 211 Help Line and Second Harvest, Mental Health Cooperative and Centerstone, social workers at Metro Schools, area hospitals, Metro Action and DHS, and many churches. Grounded in the Christian faith, we recognize the spiritual foundation for this tangible ministry. Volunteers are recruited from local congregations - to safeguard our clients, but also to maintain the spiritual component of our service. A Bible is packed along with the food that is sent out. Yet we are careful to offer our service in a respectful and gracious posture, and both clients and volunteers understand that no prayer or tract or spiritual exercise is required for assistance. Families count on Charis Ministries to deliver food -- not only during the holidays: year-round. Not only in our zip code: throughout Metropolitan Nashville. Not only to poignant callers: to everyone. Charis Ministries serves families one by one -- and often, the one that is distant from help.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Food, Agriculture & Nutrition  - Food Banks, Food Pantries
Secondary Category:	Human Services  - Emergency Assistance (Food, Clothing, Cash)
Tertiary Category:	-

Areas Served

Because of the manner in which we deliver food and the types of food we provide, our service is not helpful for people without a stable residence.

TN - Davidson

TN - Williamson