Burke United Christian Ministries
David Burleson
Burke County
I want to personally thank everyone in Burke County who supported the food ministries in our county during the recent Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. A huge thank you is extended to all our letter carriers, all postal employees, the BUCM employees that went beyond the call of duty, Mr. Dale Barrier, Mr. Glen Reep, the FHS Anchor Club, the PHS Anchor, and Interact Clubs, and all the other community volunteers. Without all the volunteers giving 122 hours of time it would have been impossible to collect over 12,600 pounds of food. This additional food will assist the Burke United Christian Ministries in meeting the ever increasing needs of those we serve.
Just a look back at a comparison of the last four months this year to the same period last year reveals a large increase in services needed:
| Type of Assist | January 2018 | January 2019 |
| Meals Served in the Soup Kitchen | 5,042 | 6,516 |
| Families Served in the Pantry | 775 | 873 |
| Individuals Served in the Pantry | 1,780 | 1,963 |
| Food Distributed in the Pantry | 58,649 lbs. | 103,245 lbs. |
| Total Individuals Served | 4,509 | 6,805 |
| Type of Assist | February 2018 | February 2019 |
| Meals Served in the Soup Kitchen | 4,886 | 6,238 |
| Families Served in the Pantry | 688 | 890 |
| Individuals Served in the Pantry | 1,502 | 1,965 |
| Food Distributed in the Pantry | 51,063 lbs. | 95,348 lbs. |
| Total Families Served | 3,620 | 6,905 |
| Type of Assist | March 2018 | March 2019 |
| Meals Served in the Soup Kitchen | 5,415 | 6,211 |
| Families Served in the Pantry | 691 | 806 |
| Individuals Served in the Pantry | 1,493 | 1,700 |
| Food Distributed in the Pantry | 52,930 lbs. | 114,796 lbs. |
| Total Families Served | 3,594 | 6,102 |
| Type of Assist | April 2018 | April 2019 |
| Meals Served in the Soup Kitchen | 5,543 | 6,759 |
| Families Served in the Pantry | 763 | 977 |
| Individuals Served in the Pantry | 1,679 | 2,160 |
| Food Distributed in the Pantry | 60,187 lbs. | 140,726 lbs. |
| Total Families Served | 4,089 | 7,488 |
As these numbers reveal, the need is great and continues to increase. The assistance through the Postal Carriers Food Drive, other food drives, and donations are essential to our ministry in meeting the needs of others.
Our volunteers are the lifeblood of BUCM. Each and every volunteer is vital to our ministry. A huge thank you to the many volunteers who give freely of their time to help and assist others. We are always in need of volunteers and would love to talk with anyone interested in the variety of volunteer opportunities at BUCM. Just give Elizabeth Norris or me a call at (828) 433-8075, email me at bucmdirector@gmail.com or come by for a visit.
I also want to commend our staff for their hard work, their dedication, and their willingness to understand the seriousness of the work they do every day. The individuals who walk into BUCM are very blessed to have caring staff and volunteers working to meet their needs. Thanks to each of you for caring enough to make a difference in the lives of others.
Be sure to mark your calendars for our golf tournament on Saturday, June 29 at Silver Creek Plantation with lunch at noon and tee off time at 1:30 p.m. It will be a captain’s choice, 4-person team format with the opportunity to purchase mulligans. Just call (828-433-8075) or email (bucmdirector@gmail.com) for details and to register.
Please remember that BUCM, Burke United Way, the Outreach Center, and Burke County Public Schools are collaborating to provide back to school supplies and clothing for our Burke County students during the annual Build a Backpack event on Saturday, August 17. Donations and sponsorships for this event are greatly appreciated. Back to school needs for families are a huge expense and every little bit helps.
As we approach summer, I ask that you please continue to lift up our ministry in your prayers and come by for a visit any time. As a community, we have a wonderful opportunity to recognize the impact we make in the lives of others and the contribution we make to their well-being. Thanks again for making the Burke United Christian Ministries a special place for those who need a hand up.
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David Burleson is Director of Burke United Christian Ministries in Morganton, NC. You can find them online at http://www.bucm.net/
or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/burkeunitedchristianministries/
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