The Friday Finish - Elderly funding still needed - "a small festival" - Connecting Needs - Grandparents Foster Service - Hunger Response
- Tim Crawford
- Jun 20
- 4 min read
June 20, 2025
Elderly Meals & In Home Services Funding Needed
We can’t say, “Thank you!” enough for our supporters that stepped up to finish funding the clothing vouchers for Back to School Assistance last week. We are grateful, that you are stepping up, again, to cover the lack of funding at the end of June for meal delivery and in home services to isolated elderly people that Red Bird serves.
If you didn’t see our special appeal sent on Wednesday, Red Bird Mission Community Outreach received notification that meal delivery and in home services provided by our Elderly Ministries would not be funded the last six program days in June. We know how much the 60 people receiving these meals each weekday depend on them, and the suspension of home services for the 24 people for six days could actually put some lives at risk. The total cost to fund these services that our elderly depend on amounts to $4,500.
As we “go to press”, over half needed has been given. If you weren’t able to respond yet, the elderly mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, and grandparents served by Red Bird need your support. Please stand with us by making an online gift today, or mailing a check to Red Bird Mission, Inc., 70 Queendale Ctr, Beverly, KY 40913 marked “Elderly Care Gap Funding”. A monthly gift this summer can also help Red Bird cover delays and expense gaps until reimbursement resumes in September.
“…kinda like a small festival.”
Last Friday, June 13th, the Red Bird Farmers Market kicked off its opening day. Over 100 people stopped by to join in the fun, and we couldn’t be happier with the turnout.
When you arrived at the market, you were greeted by more than 11 amazing vendors. There were vibrant tables filled with fresh vegetables, crafts, information tables and much more. The air smelled delicious from the freshly baked artisan breads and mouthwatering sweets like cookies and pastries. Yum!
The market was not just about food, though. We had several information booths where you could learn more about gardening and cooking. Folks from the Community Farmers Alliance and UK Extension shared helpful tips, while the Red Bird Mission Community Outreach team talked about their exciting programs. It was a great chance to get involved and learn something new!
As if that wasn’t enough, we had live music provided by the talented Charity Gilbert. She played tunes that made everyone want to dance and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere. Market Manager Kelton Adams said, “This has been one of our best markets to date, with a big crowd and wonderful music. It was kinda like a small festival.” It truly felt like a celebration!
This year, we introduced something special for our seniors: Senior Health Bucks! Seniors aged 65 and older from any Kentucky county can use $10 each week at the market until the funds run out. It’s a fantastic way for seniors to enjoy fresh, healthy food!
Assistant Market Manager Pino Brock shared, “It’s been a challenge with all the rain, but this year’s early crops have done surprisingly well.” Despite the weather, the farmers worked hard, and it showed. The fresh produce looked absolutely fantastic!
The opening day of the Red Bird Farmers Market was a tremendous success! Everyone went home with big smiles and bags full of fresh goodies. We can’t wait for the next market day, so make sure to come back and join in the fun, food, and friendly faces.
See you next time!
Connecting More in Need
Red Bird Mission Community Outreach participated in the Public Safety Summit on Thursday at the Walmart in Manchester. The event was organized by AdventHealth Manchester (who also operates our medical clinic at Red Bird) and involved 10 other organizations that provided information and connections to services.
Candace Collins, Red Bird Mission Family Ministries Coordinator, engaged with those stopping by our table to pick up school supplies, OTC medication, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and pillow case dresses that have been donated. Sydney Nolan, Prosper Appalachia Summer Intern, and Tim Crawford, Development Director, also helped with setup, greeting and distributing the Red Bird “freebees”. Candace connected with folks with her winsome conversation to uncover needs for clothing assistance, elderly meals, septic tank maintenance assistance, smoking cessation assistance, and home repair including one home that needs an emergency wheelchair ramp.
Grandparents Foster Volunteer Service
Craig and Sue Anderson initially came with their church in Decatur, Indiana to Red Bird Mission as Work Camp volunteers working on campus and in the community. That led to long term volunteer service at Red Bird Christian School for a school year, and now they continue working to support families at Community Outreach as short term volunteers.
The Andersons have brought two of their grandchildren to Red Bird to volunteer previously and their granddaughter, Annabel, joined them this week for the first time to assist with Family to Family and Gap Pantry food distribution, enroll qualifying families in the Back to School Assistance program, and helped with other service in Community Outreach. They took a shopping trip with donated funds on Thursday to buy shoes still needed for the 100 children receiving new backpacks, school and cleaning supplies and clothing in July to begin the new school year.
Hunger Response Continues
Hunger is still an issue during the summer months, and many continue to respond with the donations needed to fill monthly and emergency food boxes that are distributed by Red Bird Mission Community Outreach. The Mt. Hope Community Church Work Camp group from New Lexington, OH and St. Mark United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro, TN were among those helping to restock the pantries this week.”
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