The Choctaw Plaindealer

The combined Choctaw County Food Ministry began helping local residents ten years ago, when it began supplying low-income individuals and was supplemented by Broken Wings organization shortly after.

Both ministries originated from local women's ministries that were seeking ways to reach out to the community. Working with the Mississippi Food Network and help from the Choctaw Baptist Association the Choctaw County Food Ministry began distributing supplies in the summer of 1997.

Currently, the Food Ministry distributes 40 percent of its supplies to senior residents and 30 percent to residents that are on a fixed income between the ages of 41-60. The remainder of the supplies goes to those in need of one-time assistance due to an emergency.

What is now Broken Wings, started out as a way for the women's ministry to reach out to women of the community eight years ago by providing them with job training and home life improvement classes. The women's ministry offered Workplace Essentials, Money Management, Health and Nutrition, Job Skills, Basic GED, and Bible Study through the Christian Women's Job Corp. Several of the women participating in the GED course went on to pursue higher education after completing their GED.

Over a period of time Broken Wings evolved to include the thrift store, coffee shop, knitting classes, host site for Experience Works, and an emergency assistance center.

The motto of Broken Wings is simple, self-explanatory and sums up what the organization exists to accomplish. "People helping people" is the motto that Broken Wings and Food Ministry volunteers live by, as they do that every time they contribute their time, effort, skills or money to the organization.

"We are here to provide outreach to the community, not here to convert or preach to them. We are a non-denominational organization that wants to offer a helping hand to those in need," said Bro. Roger Griffith, Broken Wings and Food Ministry Director.

The Thrift Store provides second hand appliances, clothes, unique odds and ends, and small furniture that can be purchased at very reasonable rates. In emergency situations the items in the thrift store are available for needy families. The proceeds from the Thrift Store are used for Broken Wings' operational costs.

The Coffee Shop, the organization's newest facility, serves lunch plates Tuesday through Thursday for $5 each. The selection ranges from soup, chicken salad sandwich, or grilled hamburger just to name a few, and includes homemade desserts. It also serves sausage and biscuits and fried pies for breakfast.

The proceeds from the recently opened breakfast and lunch spot will also go towards Broken Wings' operational costs.

In the past Broken Wings was awarded funding through FEMA to assist residents with rent payments or utilities under emergency situations. However due to a decrease in the local unemployment rate, the organization will not receive the funding which helped numerous residents in the past.

In order to receive the assistance funding Choctaw County's unemployment level must remain at or above 300 people unemployed. During the last unemployment rate check, Choctaw County had only 298 residents listed as unemployed.

According to Griffith, the local churches and community provide a large part of the funding needed for the organizations to operate. He also works with multiple volunteers that keep the thrift store, coffee shop and offices open. He claims many churches and other non-profit organizations help with providing the organization funding. Most recently the Wild Turkey Federation provided funds to supply families with turkeys to prepare for a festive holiday meal.

"It is without a doubt the community support we receive from the entire county, including Ackerman, Weir and French Camp that keeps Broken Wings and the Food Ministry going," said Griffith. "We are so fortunate to have a community that supports our mission, which is 'People helping people'."

Both the food ministry and Broken Wings are operated out of the county owned building next to the Choctaw County Sheriff's Station. The facility is provided to the organizations free of charge, leaving it to pay a portion of the shared utilities and insurance.

For information on the services offered by Broken Wings or the Choctaw County Food Ministry contact 662-285-9133.