Staunton River and Southside Baptist Associations have been partnering for the past twoyears to provide canned food to the Bland Ministry Center.
As a unique aspect of this ministry, Charlie and Violet Brownlee members of Eureka Baptist Church in Keysville have canned vegetables for the center.
When Faye Wood, former director for mission involvement for Woman's Missionary Union of Staunton River Association, met Charlie and Violet at the Bland Center in 2005, she quickly saw a missions opportunity. She went back to Staunton River and started a drive to begin collecting canning jars, lids and rings for the Brownlees.
Since that time, the 23 churches in the Staunton River Association have collected 3,580 canning jars and numerous lids and rings. This project has proven to be a wonderful way to support the food ministry, as well as providing an opportunity for the two associations to partner together.
Pictured are Charlie and Violet Brownlee unloading a horse trailer that was used to transport the jars to Keysville. Also pictured is some of the canned food which are ready for delivery to Bland.