Helping Those Who Help Others

Save

Posted: 8:40 PM May 3, 2008
Last Updated: 9:05 PM May 3, 2008
Reporter: Peter O'Connor
Email Address: peter.oconnor@wymtnews.com

10 comments

A | A | A

Some say we're in a recession and many Eastern Kentucky families are struggling to make ends meet. One Pike County organization is doing all it can to help and Saturday, they got some help from other states.

Manna From Heaven Outreach Founder Lois Tackett say high gas prices and the lack of jobs are putting a strain on thousands of families in the small town of Myra. Tackett says she plans to do give whatever she can to help her neighbors survive.

Tackett says the people in her community are struggling with the continuing increase of prices. She says it’s making it difficult for many of her neighbors to get what they need.

"It's tough because everything is raising so high and it is hard," Tackett said.

"There are so many kids that don't have clothes don't have shoes or food," said volunteer Janice Potter.

Tackett says her mission feeds more than 13 hundred families in the small community of Myra in Pike County. Tackett says today's sluggish economy has forced her to change with the times and get creative with what form the food she gives out takes. Tackett gave out seeds to the people so they could plant them to supplement families food supply during tough times.

"If we can help them with the food, then they won't have to spend all that money on food then they can going back and forth to work," Tackett said.

People from ministries from as far away as North Carolina and New York came to Saturday's giveaway to aid Tackett.

"It is hard for me, as an American, to actually except that there are not basic standards that all of us have when we start out with," said Family to Family Founder Pan Koner.

Koner says she gave the outreach center 10 sowing machines and livestock to give the people a chance to create their own local economy.

"The price of living is so tough. It is great to have places like this that are here and want to help out," Potter said.

Koner says the ministries biggest need right now is food for the livestock the center has. Officials want to make sure what they do have doesn't go to waste.

More Stories
Cintas To Close Two Kentucky Plants

Officer Is Under Investigation

Big Three Head Back To Washington

Hard Times for Outdoor Workers

EPA Backs Rule Easing Mining Waste Disposal

Food Pantry Gets Boost From New Organization

One Step Closer To New School

National Guard Soldier Accused Of Scamming Businesses Pleads Not Guilty

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Lisa Location: Myra on Aug 6, 2008 at 03:04 PM
The Back to School Rally was WONDERFUL. We had so much fun. We had popcorn, hotdogs, drinks, chips. There were prizes, bookbags and over a 100 food bags were raffled off. We won a great one. Lot's of food. Thank you to all that put this on.

Posted by: Mary Location: Virgie on Aug 6, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Back to School Rally was wonderful. My family had the best time, we got food, prizes and lunch. Thank you. Mission of Faith and Manna from Heaven.

Posted by: Jenna Location: Pikesville on May 13, 2008 at 12:18 AM
The economy and gas prices have hit everyone. We all have to cut back, portion our meals and be creative. This is when we should help each other by carpooling, swapping clothes, recip'e that are lowcost and helping each other with home repairs. People should NOT expect something for nothing. If they do - then they are selfish and were not raised right. We have to put our children first. There is no excuse for a person not to have a high school education, and parents that don't push their kids in school or allow them to drop out are NOT good parents. Education is key, otherwise they will not be able to get a decent job and will need government handouts to suceed in life. There are so many grants and services that this place can apply to. They just have to take the time and do it. But, handouts are not the answer. Education should be the priority and the parents responsibility or we will have another generation of people needing and expecting foodstamps, WIC etc.

Posted by: Ann Location: TN on May 8, 2008 at 04:23 PM
Second Harvest is also a good resource. God's Pantry is the closest branch to Manna from Heaven. They are Second Harvest's Food Distributor. www.godspantry.org Manna from Heaven would have to apply and they have free food or food for 18 - 20 cents a pound. Christian App Project also helps with food, shoes, school supplies. Feed the Children will bring a tractor trailer load of food.

Posted by: Mary Location: GA-NC-WV on May 5, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Hi, we are mission of faith, we were there helping to serve and spread the great news of the gospel of Jesus and encourage the people.. We have a website.. www.missionoffaith.com. we are coming back on August 1 for a back to school rally. We are hoping to have food bags to pass out along with school supplies.We love the people of Kentucky and are really excited of being able to help. Go to our website if you would like to help us serve the people of Myra and the surronding area.

Posted by: Mary Location: D.C. on May 5, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Here is some help: Christian App Project (C.A.P.) site: http://www.christianapp.org God's Pantry (Second Harvest Site) Site: http://www.godspantry.org/home Christian Relif Services Site: http://www.christianrelief.org/index.html Shoes for Humanity Site: http://shoesforhumanity.org/ A Grain of Hope (school supplies) http://www.agrainofhope.org/classzoom.shtml

Posted by: Marcy Location: NJ on May 5, 2008 at 02:41 PM
How about the station sponsoring a can food drive and collecting backpacks and school supplies?

Posted by: Megan Location: MD on May 5, 2008 at 12:37 PM
A donation helps out with feed and purchasing more chickens. Pullets (famale) chicks are great for eggs and eventually meat for the families. Family-to-family.org send Food baskets andh helps them in so many ways. Manna from Heaven is applying for a grant from Heifer Intl for livestock, canning supplies and other eguipment. Anyone with Grant Writing experience should contact Family to Family or Manna from Heaven to give them a hand. Does anyone know of other resources that can be applied for that may help Manna from Heaven help the 1300 families?

Posted by: nealson Location: pikeville on May 4, 2008 at 01:18 PM
THere are also the C.A.P. office that can help with edible items. The Helping Hand is a very good place to go for clothing at amazing affordable prices. Also, there is a Charity Thrift store located at formerly Field's Wholesale on old U.S. 23 just across Branam Heights. They will help out with excellent prices.

Posted by: Ellen Location: Murphy on May 3, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Manna from Heaven can use all types of help. I hope that people see this and maybe send a donation so that they can continue to help these 1300 families. Food, school supplies, material, chicken/turkey/hog feed. Canning supplies and freezer bags will stretch the garden into the winter. Every little bit helps. Manna from Heaven ***http://www.family-to-family.org/myra.htm (edited)***Located across the street from the Myra Post Office. I'm from Maryland and I help them by sending strawberry plants, seeds, baby chickens, baby turkey's, feed, school supplies and food. Even a little bit will help one family!

	Issues & Answers Host Neil Middleton gets the answers you want.

	Jim's Weather Class Want to understand the hows and whys of weather?

	Holiday Gift Guide Looking for great gift ideas??

	Mountain Harvest Food Drive Get Involved!

	Lawyers FREE legal advice.

	Refrigerator Art Share your works of art.

	Student Achiever Honoring outstanding students in our community.

	Health What you need to know about your health.

	Business Connections Connecting businesses and customers.

	Focus on the Family Help your family thrive.

	Classifieds THE place to buy and sell items. Most ads free.

WKYT Mobile