Unexpected Consequences

The fact is that you never know when something you say will have an important impact on someone. One of our interviewers here at Grace Network heard a touching story from one of our clients this morning which reminded her of that fact. The woman was a first-time client of Grace Network who had come in to request some emergency food. When the interviewer asked her how she had heard of Grace Network, she smiled and told her that she had seen Barry Nelson on cable TV. Mr Nelson, whose car dealerships are generous donors to Grace Network, had talked about us, the good work that we do, and why his company supports us. Obviously, the woman was impressed. And not only that, she realized that Grace Network might be able to help her out in her hour of need. Which we did!

The board members, staff, and volunteers of Grace Network send out a bouquet of thanks to Barry Nelson for his support and advocacy for the good work that we do here. We hope he will see this and know that his efforts have definitely made a big difference in this community.

Many, many thanks!

Meet Our Resident Fence Lizards

If you've ever had the pleasure of taking a stroll through our little garden, or brought a food donation into the pantry, you may have caught a glimpse of our resident fence lizards. One tends to perch, every afternoon, on the concrete pad behind the dumpster, but Two prefers the top of the fence next to the building. They're really very cute, for reptiles that is, and not particularly skittish. If you approach them quietly and keep your distance, they don't scurry away but just swivel their little heads and look at you. And just this summer, they've hatched out babies. I've counted three, at least, but they tend to be a bit more camera shy than their parents.

So now that we have a whole family of fence lizards in the Grace Network garden, it's time they had real names. Numbers just won't do. Put on  your thinking caps and help us name our lizards. Post your suggestions on our Facebook page.

Here are photos of One and Two. Photos of the babies to come.

Weatherization Project

Thanks to Grace Network's grant from the United Way of Martinsville and Henry County and the hard work of talented men from Rich Acres Christian Church a local home gets a much-needed face lift. New windows and storm doors will make this home more attractive as well as much more energy efficient. Pat Dillard, the homeowner, is thrilled with her new doors and windows. Many, many thanks go out to Marvin Sawyers and his crew from Rich Acres for their great work on this project and to Ellen Hanckel of the Grace Network Board of Directors for her coordination efforts.

A Day of Grace

Welcome to a typical day at Grace Network. Our volunteers are busy at work in the front office, doing data entry, manning the food pantry, interviewing clients, and providing assistance to needy families. You really SHOULD be a part of this good work. Our next volunteer orientation is Wednesday August 7th at 1pm. Call 276-638-8500 to sign up! You definitely will be glad you did.

Grace Network thanks the Smith River Missionary Baptist Association and their summer youth campers for the very generous donation of food items for our food pantry. Adrene Cox and Renee Moore (who is also a Grace Network volunteer) brought in the food items to the pantry. Rev. Harold Carelock is the youth program coordinator and camp director. Rev. Eric Hairston is the Association Moderator.

Pictured in the photo are Joe Prince, food pantry volunteer, Adrene Cox, and Renee Moore.

Grace Network's Board of Directors, John Collins, President, honored retiring Board members, Milt Davis and Mary Pritchett, and interim director, David Dickerson at a lovely dinner at Chatmoss Country Club on Thursday July 11th. A great time was had by all! 

Many, many thanks to Milt, Mary, and David for their former and continued service to Grace Network. Our volunteers are absolutely the very best!

Welcome to our new Board of Directors!

July 1 marks the beginning of a new fiscal year for Grace Network.
Welcome aboard to our new Board of Directors and officers!
John Collins, President
Amanda Witt, Vice President
Simone Redd, Secretary
Marsha Frith, Treasurer
Kim Belongia
Dick Epgrave
Betty Heaton
Ellen Hanckel
Ben Meador
Rebecca McKinney
Bill Pinnix
Jim Reaghard
Susan Reynolds
Charles Whitfield

Like Mother Hubband, during the summer months, Grace Network food pantry workers are apt to find the cupboard bare. So don't forget your friends and neighbors in need this summer. Your generous donations of food and hygiene items are desperately needed!

Grace Network Celebrated it's Seventh Birthday on April 23rd. What a wonderful place filled with wonderful people, working hard to offer a hand up to families in crisis.