by Sarah Hampton
At this week’s Rotary Club meeting at The Wallace Building, Lebanon Now was on site to report on the club’s activities.
The meeting opened with a recognition of Rotarian of the Week, Sam Allen. Allen has been a Rotarian for 47 years and is widely respected as a community leader. He encouraged members to attend meetings and help grow the community.
Melinda Fries then introduced guest speaker James Whitford of True Charity Network. True Charity is a collaboration of churches and nonprofits dedicated to serving those in poverty. The network offers life skills classes, addiction recovery programs, homeless shelters and food co-ops. As of today, it includes 257 member organizations across the country.
Whitford explained that he was inspired by Isaiah 58:11 to found Watered Gardens Ministries in Joplin, Missouri. Watered Gardens operates an outreach center and overnight shelter that provides food, clothing and a warm place to sleep. He emphasized that the ministry’s vision is for the church body to engage with the homeless and poor “relationally, responsibly and compassionately.”
Anyone interested in volunteering or donating can contact True Charity at (417) 623-6030. Whitford closed with the motto: “Do with instead of do for.”
If you’re interested in attending a Rotary meeting, they’re every Thursday at noon at The Wallace Building and the Satellite Club meets the first and third Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. To attend a meeting, reach out to a Rotarian or Melinda Fries at mfries@lafcares.org.
Sarah Hampton is Lebanon Now’s community features reporter. If there’s something in your community you’d like covered, reach out to Sarah at sarah@lebanonmonow.com.
Stay in touch with Lebanon Now:
Facebook
Interactive Facebook Group
Instagram
TikTok
To report a breaking news story, email ryan@lebanonmonow.com or text 417-493-8141.
If your pictures or story are used, I will pay $25. Submissions must be exclusive to Lebanon Now and not posted by you elsewhere.