GRAVETTE -- Lavon Stark and Pastor Donald Miller were speakers at the regular meeting of the Gravette Kiwanis Club Friday morning, Jan. 20. They spoke to Kiwanis members and guests about the history and services of the Care and Share organization.
Stark, a member of the Care and Share board, related some of the history of Care and Share, which began in 1984, with 11 area churches desiring to be of service to the community and promote the well-being of all persons in the Gravette School District. Today only eight churches are involved, and each church has two members on the Care and Share board.
Church members and others volunteer and provide free labor for the many hours of sorting merchandise and preparing it for display in the store. Only three employees are paid, a cleaning lady; administrative assistant Ed deLapp, pastor of the former Faith Bible Church, whose members serve as volunteers; and Willie Roberts, who picks up donated items and transports them to the store.
Stark said that Care and Share's motto is "People Helping People," and pastor Miller, who is currently the treasurer for the organization, gave a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the many ways it helps area community members. He said the store's main merchandise consists of clothing and furniture, and staff attempts to keep enough supplies on hand to outfit households that suffer loss in tragedies such as burnouts. He said the most recent recipients were families who lost their homes in a fire in Noel, Mo. When such events occur, family members are invited to come in after hours and shop for whatever items they need to replace lost household items.
Care and Share no longer operates a food pantry but directs people needing food to the Outreach 58:10 food pantry in Sulphur Springs for such help. It does provide vouchers for food, utilities and temporary housing. Persons seeking vouchers are limited to four visits a year, and up to $150 in assistance is given to each family per year. Sometimes exceptions are made and assistance is given beyond that amount, Miller said. For example, additional aid is given to help pay for propane for home heating since fuel costs are so high. He said such assistance would continue to be given as long as funds were available.
Miller, as treasurer, reported that in 2022 Care and Share contributed $100,000 back to the community in various charitable donations. Donations are given to the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter and to the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center each month. Other agencies that are helped are the Gravette Fire Department and Police Department, as Care and Share has provided funds for new computer systems for police cars and new holsters for police officers. Donations have been given to support the Boys and Girls Club and the Gravette historical museum in the past, and Miller said another donation would soon be given to the museum to help finance repairs on the Kindley House, which have to adhere to strict guidelines because it is on the National Register of Historic Homes.
Other funds are given to support an area assault victim with household expenses, help is given with the school lunch program, and new Bibles have been purchased for patients at Ozarks Community Hospital. Two $3,000 scholarships are given each year to graduating seniors at Gravette High School. Fifty turkeys are given to area citizens every Thanksgiving and 50 hams every Christmas. No income guidelines are required. Applicants can simply sign up for the gifts and come pick them up.
Stark noted that one of Care and Share's biggest expenses is trash pickup. Trash removal is quite expensive because many people choose to use the site as a dumping ground. She said signs had to be posted requesting no mattresses be dropped off because the state prohibits passing them on to others.
Miller said funds are always welcome and more volunteers are needed. Several key volunteers have recently retired or moved away, and another has died, and the average age of volunteers is 72. He said there are lots of opportunities to serve and urged interested persons to email [email protected] or call 479-344-6114.
Kiwanis Sheriff Bob Kelley, who has for many years transported donated items from Bella Vista to the store, related a few of his experiences as a Care and Share volunteer.
Care and Share open hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with the annex, which houses higher quality merchandise, open only on Friday and Saturday.
Westside Eagle Observer/Susan Holland
Pastor Donald Miller and Lavon Stark pose for a photo after presenting the program at the Gravette Kiwanis Club meeting Friday morning, Jan. 20. The program included a history of the Care and Share organization and an overview of the services it offers. Miller is treasurer of Care and Share, and Stark is a member of the Care and Share board.
Westside Eagle Observer/Susan Holland
Lavon Stark speaks to members and guests at the Gravette Kiwanis Club meeting Friday morning, Jan. 20. Stark gave a brief history of Gravette’s Care and Share, which began in 1984 with 11 area churches participating and continues today offering low-cost merchandise, vouchers for food, utilities, and temporary housing and financial assistance for many worthy causes.