Since its first delivery of ready-to-heat frozen dinners on April 1, 2020 – when many people were sheltering at home due to the virus that causes Covid-19 – the non-profit Carroll County Answering the Call (CCATC) has delivered about 105,000 meals.
Initially meals were delivered to those who had Covid-19 or who were quarantined. The deliveries opened the eyes of volunteers to the broad extent of food insecurity in Carroll County that didn’t start or end with Covid. So, the program was expanded to include anyone in need.
“About one in eight people in Carroll County are food insecure… hungry or malnourished on a daily basis,” Chair of the CCATC board Bill Featherstone, said. “That’s more than 3,000 people. One in six children is food insecure. That’s about one thousand children.”
CCATC is in urgent need of support in order to continue the food deliveries that have been vital for so many. Currently, an average of ten volunteer drivers deliver about 700 frozen meals and fresh produce to approximately 100 recipients each week, costing about $1,900. So far this year, more than 5,000 meals have been provided.
The program began under the sponsorship of the Eureka Springs United Methodist Church, and it still operates out of the church building on Hwy. 23 South. Funding has come from a combination of grants and community giving, but funds are running low. CCATC has filed for 501(c)(3) status and approval is pending from the IRS, although currently donations made to CCATC c/o ESUMC are tax deductible.
There are other food pantries in the area, but some people have limited mobility or lack transportation to get to the other pantries. The generous gifts of food have been most welcome to those receiving them. For example, Christine is the caregiver for her brother who has Parkinson’s disease.
“We are seeing a terrible need in our county from people unable to get to a food pantry due to limited transport or limited hours for pantry operations,” ESUMC Pastor Blake Lasater said. “These are people of all age groups and ethnic groups, living in dire poverty just trying to survive day to day. Many will go days without eating. But, thanks to this mission, we are at least able to give them one warm meal per day.”
“The meals are greatly appreciated, and are helping out with my brother’s meal preparation,” Christine said. “However, the best parts are the kindness and dedication of the volunteers who deliver every week, as well as that of the United Methodist Church. Imagine if this happened everywhere all over the country.”
“Being part of Answering the Call has been very fulfilling for me,” Martie Davis said. She is the former ESUMC secretary, now retired and working as a volunteer. “Helping people that I have only met by phone and may never meet in person has been an honor. It has opened my eyes to how many people in Carroll County really need help with the most basic of things, like enough food to eat, on a daily basis. I keep adding people to our delivery lists every week. It is important for everyone to help keep it going by giving monthly. Any amount makes a difference. Give what you can and if you can’t give money, give your time to help deliver. We are changing people’s lives so please help.”
To receive deliveries, call Martie at (870) 654-5050, and request the number of bags needed (one per household member), location, and directions. Martie takes this information and designs the drivers’ routes. On Wednesday mornings, food distribution company Ben E. Keith delivers meals to the church, and fresh produce is picked up at Hart’s Family Center by Kim Stryker. Then the drivers arrive and are given route sheets, and packing volunteers load the cars. Dozens of volunteer drivers take turns making the deliveries.
“Perhaps my most memorable delivery was to a fellow on the second floor,” Featherstone said. “It was our first year at CCATC, when the virus was raging in 2020. My instructions said to leave the bag of food at the door, knock on the door loudly, and walk away. When at the bottom of the stairs, he opened the door and shouted, ‘Thank you!’ Without turning around, I raised my hand and shouted back, ‘You’re welcome.’ When I got back to my car, he shouted again, ‘It’s my birthday today!’ Knowing he was a shut-in, I turned around this time and shouted back without thinking, ‘You like cake and ice cream?’ With a big smile, he screamed, ‘I love it!’ So, I went to Hart’s and returned with ice cream and cake. I left the treat at his door, again knocking loudly, and walking away. He quickly opened the door as I was walking down the stairs, and shouted, ‘Thank you…this means so m…’ Only this time, he couldn’t finish what he wanted to say. His emotion was contagious, because I couldn’t choke out a single word in response. So, he just placed his hand on his heart, and I did the same.”
A recent handwritten note said: “Just wanted you all to know how much I appreciate the dinners. I had gotten used to not eating a balanced meal. So, this is helping me get back on track. Feel better and the food is good. Thank you.”
To contribute, send a check to CCATC c/o ESUMC, 195 Huntsville Rd., Eureka Springs 72632, or givebutter.com/FFF0123, or Facebook, go to Answering the Call and scan the QR code. Or text Fund4Food to 53555.
My grandma has Parkinson’s disease, she is about 75 years old it was detected 7 years ago. Right now it’s getting more difficult to live for her, because of stiff muscles she can’t even move. L-dopa and carbidopa medicines are given, but won”t give much relief. She can”t eat food and the skin is damaging forming ganglia. I thought this might be the last stage and the medications she was given did not help at all, so I started to do alot of research on natural treatments, I was introduced to Health Natural Centre and their Parkinson’s Herbal Protocol. She started on the Parkinson’s Treatment last year, her symptoms gradually diminished including her Tremors, Body Weakness and Muscle Pains. Reach them at healthnaturalcentre.org , She is getting active again since starting this treatment, she is able to walk again ( down the street and back )she have also resumed exercising to strengthen muscles!! God Bless all PD Caregivers. Stay Strong, take small moments throughout the day to thank yourself, to love your self, and pray to whatever faith, star, spiritual force you believe in and ask for strength. I can personally vouch for these remedy but you would probably need to decide what works best for you.