Mt. Carmel Provides Holiday Goods to Hundreds

A line of people wait outside Mt. Carmel Resource center to receive free food bags.

PALMETTO –Thanks to the support of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Mayor’s Feed the Hungry Program, Mt. Carmel Resource center successfully gave over 150 food bags, Publix gift cards and toys to needy families in the heart of one of the worst socioeconomic areas in the county on Dec. 20, 2011.

A line containing men, women and children extended down the driveway of the center on Wednesday. The people calmly awaited their chance to receive free goodies. Four-year-old Imani Escarada was excited he received a free toothbrush, but he had no idea food and toys were waiting for him just around the corner.

Commonly known as ”Memphis,“ the area surrounding Lincoln Middle School has a concentration of residents living in poverty. While welfare programs are available to them throughout the county, few are located in an area convenient to those who aren’t likely to have transportation. However, Mt. Carmel is centrally located in a predominately residential area and clients only have to walk a few blocks to utilize resource center facilities.

Food bags contained all the necessities needed for the holidays.

”The resources exist already, but impoverished families can’t get to them,“ explained Shirley Pearson, executive director of the Mt. Carmel Resource Center.

The resource center is a non-profit detachment of Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, which is referred to by locals as ”the smallest church with the biggest heart.“ It is regarded as the nucleus of the Memphis area.

Approximately five years ago, the church began renting a home across the street to accommodate a new resource center they hoped would benefit the neighborhood. At first, the center was only giving out desserts donated from local groceries to those that wanted them. When Shirley Pearson came aboard, the programs only grew.

”We wanted to help out our neighbors, not just members of our church,“ said Pastor Alfred James, of Mt. Carmel Baptist. ”It has always been a priority to help the less fortunate. It’s how we glorify God. It shows the public, and our Lord, that we care.“

Four-year-old Imani Escarada was excited he received a free toothbrush, but he had no idea food and toys were waiting for him just around the corner

In the beginning, the giving started out in a simple manner. While assisting a client, a center volunteer made herself a sandwich.  The client asked if he could have one – from that day forward the center served sandwiches to the public. From there they became involved with meals on wheels and began providing food bags during the holiday season. Today they are highly regarded by some of Palmetto’s most prominent citizens.

More recently, the City of Palmetto has recognized the value of Mt. Carmel and became involved with their efforts by networking with outreach organizations. Members of the Palmetto City Commission, The Palmetto Police Department and Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant all attended the event on Wednesday.

This year, the resource center suffered a diminished budget and many challenges along the way. Through efforts such as Toys for Tots, the Mayor’s Feed the Hungry and private donation, the center was able to provide services yet again for a struggling community.

”When you are young you believe in receiving gifts from Santa,“ said City Commissioner Charles Smith, ”but when you get older, you become the giving entity and roles change. You look forward to helping someone and you don’t care about receiving. I look forward to witnessing the successes of Mt. Carmel.“