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Meals
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In 2011, Audrey Langston stepped out in faith and shared her desire
to bless people in her community of Richland, Mississippi, by providing
delicious comfort food and a warm embrace for those in need.
She held a meeting at her church, First
Baptist of Richland, and several people
volunteered to help the homebound, the sick,
and those who have experienced loss by
providing them with meals and personal visits.
The volunteers divided themselves into teams
of seven and each team collects, prepares, and
delivers food to those in need, weekly.
“God has provided from the very beginning.
I realized that we would need a freezer to
store the meals we prepared each week. I didn’t
know what I was doing, but I just picked up
the phone, called Cowboy Maloney’s and
asked for a donation. They provided us with a
used freezer that was in excellent condition,”
said Audrey.
They now have two large freezers and a
pantry to accommodate the growing ministry
that prepares and provides an average of 20
meals per week.
The food is bought or donated by people in
the church and community. Many times if there
is a church or catered event in the area, the
leftovers are donated to Audrey and her teams
to be distributed among the weekly meals.
“I rarely have to ask anyone to fulfill a
need–and have only had to ask for donations
a handful of times. God just provides what we
need,” explained Audrey.
They don’t only provide meals, however.
They provide much needed time, attention,
prayers, and the human touch to those who
are often lonely or isolated. Audrey insists
that giving a hug is just as important as giving
food. “People need to know that we, as a
church, are thinking about them, and that
God is thinking about them. That they are
not forgotten.”
However, providing good food is a gift
that Audrey loves to give. She also helps to
coordinate and cook meals every Monday
night for the church’s Christian Women’s Job
Corp ministry which assists women in need
by equipping them for life and employment
through Jobs for Life classes, computer classes,
GED tutoring, Bible study and mentoring.
They also offer English as a Second Language
(ESL) and citizenship classes.
Hometown Rankin • 27