Enduring Freedom Ministries opens second location
Jul. 1—MASON — Many years ago, Vickie Kight wanted to expand Enduring Freedom Ministries beyond its Shumway location.
"But I guess the right people weren't in the right places," said the EFM director.
That is until an opportunity to start a second location in Mason opened up.
Volunteers in the area came forward to start a food distribution at the Mason Civic Center.
While EFM provides people in seven counties with necessities such as free groceries, clothing, hot meals, haircuts and laundromat services, Kight notes there is a definite need in the Mason area.
"We have a lot of people that travel from over there, and sometimes it's hard for them to get to us," she said. "By us being closer to where they live, it will help out a lot more."
EFM held its first grocery distribution at the center earlier this month and helped 67 families.
Kight said EFM plans to add more items, including clothing and hot meals, eventually.
"We just wanted to get this started first and get everybody acclimated to that, and then we will add other things," she said.
The civic center now has a designated pantry area with a refrigerator, freezer and shelves, which Kight said will eventually have doors.
"So we're able to leave things there and all we have to do is restock," she said, adding that includes health and beauty items.
Kight said the reception from the Mason community has been wonderful.
"The fact that there's two houses right near it that every time we're there they come over and help us. We've had a lot of people just show up to help, too, that we didn't know were coming. They just heard about it and wanted to help," she said.
Kight said the EFM team will continue to operate the pantry at the Mason Civic Center with the help of local volunteers.
"The volunteers that are coming to Mason are becoming part of the EFM team," she said. "So, it's pretty cool to get to know different families.
EFM will have its next free grocery distribution at Mason Civic Center July 13 from 9 a.m. to noon.
The center is located at 861 E. Washington St., Mason. Call 217-240-0059 to make an appointment.
The distributions are open to everyone.
Cathy Griffith can be
