Fourth Quarter – 2024
The Parish Post
A Quarterly Newsletter From the Caswell County Parish
“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” Helen Keller
2024 – A YEAR OF BLESSING AND OPPORTUNITIES AT THE CASWELL PARISH
2024 has been an eventful year at Caswell Parish. Thanks to the support of many individuals, churches, civic groups, businesses, and grantors, the Parish has been able to continue its ministry in many areas.
The food bank continues to distribute every Tuesday and Thursday to families in need. In addition, every Friday during the school year food insecure elementary school children carry home a package of supplemental meals so they will not be hungry during the weekend.
Thanks to a grant from The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region and some Share the Light funds from Duke Energy/Foundation for the Carolinas, the Parish was able to provide assistance to families in danger of losing their electrical service or those who had no funds with which to purchase badly needed propane, oil, or wood.
A generous grant from The Womack Foundation supports the Parish shoe project and the Christmas Cheer project. Children identified by the guidance counselors as needing shoes are provided shoes and socks, and children whose parents are unable to provide Christmas gifts for them receive articles of clothing and toys/games from “Santa”.
Finally, families who have suffered a catastrophic event resulting in loss of basic necessities are allowed, on recommendation from DSS to select some articles of clothing and household items free of charge. The Two Hearts Thrift Store is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and offers low cost clothing and household items in excellent condition.
Without the support of the Community Foundation, the Parish would have an impossible task trying to provide funds for families in danger of losing their electrical service or families who need propane, oil or wood for heating. Once again the Community Foundation has generously awarded a grant for 2025.
The guidelines for the program limit assistance to $300 every three years. The family may received the $300 in small amounts over a three – year period or it may received the full $300 at once.
Citizens of Caswell County receive electrical service from three companies: Duke Energy, Duke Energy Progress, and Piedmont Electric. In addition to funds from CFDRR, the Duke Energy Share the Light program (funded by donations from customers) provides some assistance funds, but they can only be used to help Duke Energy customers. Community Foundation funds are used to assist Duke Progress and Piedmont Electric customers and to provide propane, oil, or wood.
BACKPACK PROGRAM IN NEED OF NEW SPONSOR
The Hughes Memorial Foundation has generously sponsored the Parish backpack program since its inception eight years ago, but has not renewed its support for 2025-2026. The foundation has gone way beyond what was ever expected, and the Parish is deeply grateful for the support. The foundation receives many requests for assistance and it is only fair to spread the support among a variety of organizations. However, this leaves the Parish without grant support for its most expensive program. Currently there are 250 school children receiving a weekend food supplement, and the cost of that service for one school year is approximately $28,000. The Parish cannot continue this program without some support from an outside agency. We are open to suggestions!
HOW DID THE CASWELL PARISH SPEND
YOUR DONATIONS?
EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE
Every Tuesday and Thursday, except on designated holidays, the food pantry is open from 10:00 to 3:00 to any family in need of an emergency food supplement. More money is spent on this ministry than on any other program except for the Backpack project. During 2024 the Parish spent $26,516.44 for food. Second Harvest forgave all rural delivery fees for November and December, so that amounted to a savings for the Parish. In addition, generous citizens as well as churches and civic organizations donated 8,545 pounds of food and 520 holiday food boxes purchased at Food Lion. Food Lion is our primary partner and contributes food to the Parish on all but four days each month.
UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Parish uses a grant from the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region to assist families in danger of having their electrical service terminated for lack of payment or to those who have no means to purchase wood, oil, or propane for heating. In addition, the Parish receives some funds from the Duke Energy NC Share the Light Program, but those funds can only be used to help Duke Energy NC clients. Those who are served by Duke Progress or Piedmont Electric or those who need propane or wood are helped with Community Foundation funds or with General Fund money which comes from your donations. In 2024, 67 families were helped with CFDRR funds, 46 families were helped with Duke Foundation money, and 25 families were helped from the general fund which is made up of your donations. Grant money always runs out before the end of the year. In 2024, your donations totaling $4,814 were used to help families keep their lights on or to provide wood or propane.
CLOTHING & HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
The Two Hearts Thrift Store provides an endless supply of good quality clothing and household items at very affordable prices. In addition, some articles of clothing and household items are available to families free of charge if they have suffered a catastrophic event such as a house fire or family disruption due to domestic violence. Donations from Caswell citizens provide the merchandise in the thrift store.
PARISH BACKPACK PROGRAM
We feed hungry school children.
The backpack program is the most expensive program that the Parish administers. Currently there are 250 food insecure elementary school children who receive a weekend food supplement package. The cost for this ministry is currently $28,000 every school year. For the past eight years, the Parish has been very fortunate to have the program fully funded by a grant from the Hughes Memorial Foundation in Danville. However, the grant was not renewed for 2025 and 2026, so your generous donations will be used to fund the program through May 2025, at a cost of $13,000. The Parish is searching for another grant to help finance this important program.
Backpack volunteers show a weekend food package.
Christmas Cheer and Shoes
Thanks to a grant from the Womack Foundation and donations of money and some toys from generous supporters, the Parish provides Christmas gifts to children whose parents are unable to do so. In addition, the Parish purchases shoes for school children whose parents lack the financial means to do so upon recommendation of the teacher or guidance counselor. The Parish is deeply grateful to the Womack Foundation which supports a wide variety of programs that serve the needs of children. In 2024, the Christmas Cheer project brought Christmas joy to 90 children.
OPERATING EXPENSES
In order to provide all the service described above, the Parish has to keep its doors open. That involves hourly wages for two part-time employees, building maintenance and repair, equipment maintenance and repair (many freezers and refrigerators!), required insurance coverage, all utilities, office supplies and postage and food purchase as well as other services when grant money runs out. All of this is supported fully by the generosity of our supporters and a small grant from the Caswell County Commissioners.
Our supporters are the life blood of the Parish ministry. We could not stay afloat without you!
WHAT HAPPENED IN 2024 AT THE PARISH?
It’s nice to receive an inheritance! Miss Mary Lillie Watlington willed to the Parish enough money to have the worn-out floor replaced and to buy the paint for volunteers to give the entire building a nice face lift.
A generous grant from The Humanitarian Division of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints made possible a badly needed walk in cooler, greatly increasing refrigeration capacity for perishable foods.
Our Generous 4th Quarter Food Donors
Fourth Quarter Donors
Our mission to feed the hungry could not be carried out without the generous support of the churches, organizations, and individuals in Caswell County who donate food each month. We are grateful for the generous support during the months of October, September, and December 2024.
CCATS Provides Valuable Community Service
The Caswell Parish is deeply grateful to Caswell County Area Transportation Service for delivering food to shut-ins and those with no transportation to come to the Parish to pick up an emergency food box. Caswell County is very fortunate to have such a service!
2024 Third Quarter Food Donors
October 2024
Anonymous, Leasburg UMC, Pauline Shortland, Karyra Tanner, Amy Ware, Prospect UMC, Pat Dail, Meg Stouffer
November 2024
Anonymous, Wendy Paul, Bethel UMC, Trinity Missionary Baptist, Griers Presbyterian , Rose Woodall, Kerrs Chapel Baptist Church, Louise Baldwin, Amy Ware, Concord Christian, Prospect UMC, Benton Kay Thompson, Patrons of the Library
December 2024
Anonymous, Pauline and Harry Shortland, Leasburg UMC, Kerrs Chapel Baptist, Amy Ware, Jim Hook, Southern Caswell Ruritan, Baldwin Farms, Fidelity Bank, Waylon Perkins, Milton UMC, Prospect UMC, 520 Holiday Food boxes purchased and donated by Food Lion customers
October – 1,254
November – 1, 040
December – 996
October- $1932.15
November- $1764.46
December – $1091.17
Our Generous 4th Quarter Financial Supporters
Financial contributions from our churches, organizations, and individuals provide the backbone of support for the various Parish missions and programs. Without the generosity of these supporters the Parish could not meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities. Listed below are the donors for the fourth quarter of 2024.
October 2024
Anonymous, Sara and Graham Broadwell, Stan Brown, Ed Durham, John Ferguson, Billy and Brenda Hodges, Ed Huff, Donna Maskill, Kim McLamb, Betty and John Y Thomas, Jr., Beth Thompson, Gina Watlington, Community Baptist, Concord Christian (Larrry Jones), Gospel Worship Center International, Lively Stones Baptist, Pleasant Grove Presbyterian, St. James Baptist
November 2024
Anonymous, Sara and Graham Broadwell, Ed Durham, Don Donevan, Bill Bush, Larry Cowan, Billy and Brenda Hodges, Kim McLamb, Beverly Myers, Dr. George and Margaret Stouffer, Beth Thompson, Jane Thompson, Amy Ware, Community Baptist, Concord Christian (Larry Jones), Kerr’s Chapel Baptist, Lively Stones, Locust Hill UMC, St. James Baptist
December 2024
Anonymous, Carolyn Aldridge, Bobby and Bonnie Brewer, Sara and Graham Broadwell, Christa Brown, Rose and Enda Byrne, Rev. Scott and Misty Coats, Gordon and Marion Dalgleish, Becky and Dennis Davis, Ed Durham, Geraldine Fuqua, Hal and Julie Hester, Billy and Brenda Hodges, Ed Huff, Larry and Beatrice Lea, Donna Maskill, Cliff and Stacy Matkins, Kim McLamb, Jerry Moore, Julie Muhlberger, Wayne and Barbara Owen, Durdana Starns, George and Margaret Stouffer, Glenda Tate, Al and Jane Thompson, Benton C. Thompson, Beth Thompson, Joe and Carol Thompson, John and Sally Wallace, Stuart and Linda Watlington, Debbie Watlington, Donna Williamson, Rose and Jerry Woodall, Community Baptist, Concord Christian (Larry Jones), Gatewood Baptist, Lively Stones, Shady Grove Methodist Men, St. James Baptist, Walnut Grove UMC
4th Quarter Utility Assistance
During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Parish provided utility assistance to 38 families. 18 of those families were helped with monies from the General Fund which is made up of contributions from supporters of the Parish ministry.
Our Generous 2024 Financial Supporters
Every effort has been made to provide a complete list of donors. If there are any omissions, please let us know.
Individuals
Anonymous, Carolyn Aldridge, Bagby Equipment, INC, Barbara Berger, Ron and Kelly Beasley, Lora Blair, Bobby and Bonnie Brewer, Sara and Graham Broadwell, Stan Brown and Christa Brown, Bill Bush, Rose and Enda Byrne, Steve Carscadden, Tracy Chandler, Lan and Adrienne Clark, Rev Scott and Misty Coats, Larry Cowan, Gordon and Marion Dalgleish, Annice Davis, Becky and Dennis Davis, Don Donevan, Ed Durham, Steve Eaton, Rese and Laura Farrish, John Ferguson, Alvin Foster, Geraldine Fuqua, Annie Gillispie, Jonathan and Patricia Gray, Robert Greear, Ethel Gwynn, Wanda and Wayne Hammock, Terry and Beverly Harrelson, Phil Harris, Hal and Julie Hester, Billy and Brenda Hodges, Ed Huff, Carol Lamar, Larry and Beatrice Lea, Donna Maskill, Cliff and Stacy Matkins, Annie Sue McGee, Kim McLamb, Tom and Kathy McPherson, Susan Meadows, Jerry Moore, Julie Muhlberger, Beverly Myers, Wayne and Barbara Owen, Nell Page, Sandy Pugh, Marie Sappenfield, Kaye Satterfield, George and Tammy Scott, Doug and Pam Page Starr, Durdana Starnes, Dr. George and Margaret Stouffer, Glenda Tate, Taylor Business Products , Betty and John Y Thomas, Jr., Benton C. Thompson, Beth Thompson, Al and Jane Thompson, Jim and Dawn Thompson, Joe and Carol Thompson, Mary Thompson, Angela and Bill Turner, John and Sally Wallace, Gina Watlington, Stuart and Linda Watlington, Debbie Watlington, Amy Ware, Donna Williamson, Rose and Jerry Woodall, Bill Woods
CHURCHES, CIVIC GROUPS, BUSINESSES, COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Bethel Christian, Bethel UMC – Park Springs Road, Bethel-Locust Hill UMC UMW, Bethesda Presbyterian, Blackwell Missionary Baptist, Compassion Health Care, Caswell County Government, Central Caswell Ruritan, Community Baptist, Concord Christian (Larrry Jones)William H Daniel, PA, Furniture Depot – Danville VA, Gatewood Baptist, Gospel Worship Center International, Griers Presbyterian, KB Hamlett Insurance, Lawrence A. Hayes, DDS, Kerr’s Chapel Baptist, Hamer Missionary Baptist, Ray Kimry Plumbing , Leasburg UMC, Lively Stones Baptist, Locust Hill UMC, New Hope UMC, NC Gamma Phi Chapter/Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, North Village Pharmacy, PICO Propane, Piedmont Security Insurance/Blake McSherry and Leigh Henderson, Pleasant Grove Presbyterian, Prospect UMC, Providence Baptist , Purley UMC, Quality Construction, Rio Grande Mexican Grill, Red House Presbyterian, Semora UMC, Shady Grove, Methodist Men, St. James Baptist, Union Church – Caswell County , Walnut Grove UMC, Stuart Watlington, Attorney, Wildwood Farms, Robert Woodall Auto Mall, Write A Book Foundation, Yanceyville Presbyterian
Our Volunteers
Food Pick-up/Distribution – Rebecca Page and Bob Foyle, Bonnie and Bobby Brewer, Colton Brewer, Arlandia Clark, Nell Page, Meg Stouffer, Al and Jane Thompson, Alvin and Suzanne Foster, Rose and Jerry Woodall, Phil Barfield, Scott and Misty Coats, Daniel Ray and Micah Carpenter, Carson Craig, Connor Davis , Matthew Sidney, JR Robinson, Carol Lamar and Daughters, Rick and Cathy Briggs, Cathy Brann, Lyn Holt, Brenda Bender, Bill and Angela Turner, David Hester, Bert and Janet Lea, Joye Struchen, Cindy Perkins, Ronda Slade, Braydon Boaz, Carlie Marshall, Daniel, Morgan and Ada Jones, Susie Coleman, Johnny Lewis, Terry Lee and Beverly Harrelson, Anna and Lana Helms, Jane Long, Austin and Taylor Meadows
Administration/Grant Writing – JaneThompson, Nell Page
Data Entry – Jane Thompson, Mary Jo Henderson, Nell Page, Rose Woodall, Rebecca Page, Bonnie Brewer
Thrift Store – Amy Woods, Terri Powell, Annette McDuffie, Christa and Stan Brown, Susan Meadows, Kelsey Craig, Alondra Foster, Kelsie Hooper, Terry Walker, Daniel Ray, Braydon Boaz, Debra Anderson, Tracy Chandler, Ethel Gwynn, Brenda and Joe Elliot, Al Thompson, Bobby Brewer, Johnny Lewis, Ragan Massingale
Technical/Web Support – Stacy and Cliff Matkins, Linda Watlington, Lan Clark, Carol Lamar, Austin Meadows, Daniel Ray
Grounds Care – Bill Morris, Lan Clark, Al Thompson, Bobby and Bonnie Brewer, Johnny Lewis, Nell Page
Recycling – Al Thompson, Bobby Brewer
Christmas Cheer Shoppers – Jane Thompson, Nell Page, Rose Woodall, Bonnie Brewer, Christa Brown
The Parish appreciates the support of all those who have participated in the past as golfers or sponsors
and we hope to see you again in the coming year. This event is the primary fund raiser for the Parish.
The proceeds provide support for the Parish ministries.
Help Others
Geraldine Fuqua, chair
Jane Thompson
Nell Page
Annette McDuffie
Ann Gillispie
John Robinson
Arlandia Clark
Christa Brown
Amy Woods
Annie Sue McGee
Ethel Gwynn
Rocky Ashby
Terri Powell
Carol Lamar
Scott Coats