House of Refuge receives donation from Community National Bank
By Everett Brazil, III
The Newkirk Herald Journal
NEWKIRK — The food pantry and clothing closet at Newkirk House of Refuge Church provide an important need in the community, offering food and clothes to many of the most vulnerable who may not be able to afford it on their own. The ministry received a big boost recently when Community National Bank (CNB) made a large donation in an effort to reach out to the community through service donations.
Branch President Caroline Golay presented the donation to Church Pastor Doug Gatchell and Children’s Pastor Angel Gatchell, May 26.
The church is thrilled to receive the donation, which will help them better serve those in need in the community.
“It just makes it easier to do ministry,” Doug Gatchell said.
House of Refuge has operated a community-wide food bank and clothing closet for several years, with donations coming from across the community, including from food drives, some jointly-hosted by the Newkirk High School Culture Club and National Honor Society, as well as the annual post office food drive. Individual donations have also added in their ability to serve the community, especially during the colder winter months.
The donation only makes it easier to serve the community, as all the funds will be used directly for the ministries.
“We have bought supplies for the food bank and clothing closet, and we are choosing wisdom for the whole amount to see what God does with it, and see how far it goes,” he said.
House of Refuge Church is the first step for CNB to reach out to those in need in the community, and be a community partner, as they plan to do more donations as the need arises.
“We’re just happy to be able to support causes like that because this is great for the community, and we’ll be happy to do things like that in the future,” Golay said. “If there is a need for those services in the community, then we want to support that.”
As for those on the receiving end, it is the groups like House of Refuge who are most gracious, as it shows them they have a new partner in their efforts, and that someone is interested in helping.
“When people make donations, whether monetary, or laundry soap or food, it makes it easier for the people that come in to the food bank and clothing closet, and it lets us know we’re not alone, and that is a nice feeling to know that other people see that, and they are willing to help out,” Gatchell said.
