Fulton United Methodist Church Wins Awards

 

The Fulton United Methodist Church has been selected for three very prestigious awards.  The Fulton United Methodist Food Pantry is one of ten organizations to receive the 2004 GIVE Award (Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence).  The church was recognized in the category of Faith-Based Volunteer Commission for Volunteer Service.  They recognize individuals, organizations or communities for volunteer efforts which have made a significant difference to the state or local communities, establishing high standards for volunteer involvement and effectiveness and multiplying resources for communities.  Former First Lady Pat Fordice started the GIVE Awards in 1993 as a way to recognize outstanding accomplishments of Mississippi volunteers.  More than ninety individuals and organizations have been recognized.  The Food Pantry was nominated by June Parham who works for the county Superintendent of Education’s Office.

            The Fulton United Methodist Food Pantry began in December 1998 at the request of Rev. Ray Stokes.  The pantry has grown from 212 people in that first month to an average of 254 people per month. The food distribution has grown from 4,500 pounds in that first month to an average of 9,955 pounds of food per month.  Since December 1998, over 1 million pounds of food has ben distributed. 

            The second honor bestowed upon the Fulton United Methodist Church was the Jefferson Award.  The American Institute for Public Service has been recognizing volunteers for their excellence since 1977.  Recipients are chosen from all across the country.  Fulton United Methodist Church is one of five chosen from North Mississippi.  The signature of Jackie Kennedy Onassis who helped start the Jefferson Award is on the medallion presented to those recognized.  The Fulton United Methodist Church’s nomination was a result of the Governor’s GIVE Committee who forwarded the original nomination form to WTVA.  They gave it to the Jefferson Committee.  The winners were chosen from that committee.  As with the GIVE Award, this award was given to the church’s food pantry.

            Ninety percent of the food given by the food pantry comes from the Mississippi Food Network and the Food Bank of Memphis.  The remainder comes from food drives by scouts, school children, and the local postal service.  Donations have been made by local businesses and industries.  Monetary donations come from the Fulton United Methodist congregation, Itawamba United Methodist Cluster, United Way, other churches in the county, and concerned individuals.  The packing and distribution of the food is done by volunteers who are mostly members of the Fulton United Methodist Church.

            The philosophy set forth by the food pantry has been stated by the two administrators of the program: Mr. Luzerne Wheeler stated, “Jesus fed multitudes, we feed a few.” In the words of Mr. Herb Parham, “Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep’ And we took it literally!”

            The third award has nothing to do with the first two awards.  The Fulton United Methodist Church will receive a plaque from the Tupelo District as the Tupelo District Mission Church of the Year.  The nomination was made by District Superintendent Dr. Carl Grubbs.  During Annual Conference’s mission report a formal presentation will be given to Lay Delegate Laura Holman and new Equalization Delegate Michael Nanney.  At Annual Conference there will be a selection made from eleven districts for the State Mission Church of the Year.  The combined efforts with the food pantry and everything else done in the church will be reviewed.  Fulton United Methodist Church considers it an honor to represent the Tupelo District.