The Friday Finish - Needed food & found more - Appalachian auntie - Young Alums Giving Blood - 104-year legacy in Bell
- Tim Crawford
- Jun 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 7
June 6, 2025
They needed food, but found much more.
Her family recently moved to the Red Bird area from out of state and they needed food. Someone told her that she could get food for her family at Red Bird Mission, but she found more when she came to Red Bird on Wednesday. She found welcoming people and relief to some of her anxieties around basic needs for her family.
Her husband is disabled due to a double amputation, and their household income easily qualified them for food assistance. Candace, Women and Children Ministries Coordinator, asked her if she’d like to apply for Back to School Assistance for her five children that are in school. She also told her that they would also qualify for Work Camp assistance and encouraged her to submit an emergency application for a ramp to their home.
Candace said,
“She came here thinking she could only get food, but she found so much more. She was so happy and relieved, and was very thankful for everything.”
Other families with needs are signing up for Back to School Assistance this month. Volunteers from Michigan, Carolyn and Judy, finished filling backpacks with supplies this week, but we still need more donations to cover the $25 clothing vouchers so each child can also get back-to-school clothing when the backpacks are distributed in late July. Funds are still needed for 90 children. Can you help? Click the link to make an online gift, or mail a check today to Red Bird Mission, 70 Queendale Ctr, Beverly, KY 40913 marked “Back to School”.
T-shirts, Frappalachias, and an Appalachian Auntie
The Cardinal Café is deepening its community roots with an exciting new project. The café has partnered with the Red Bird Christian School's E-STEAM program allowing high school students to design personalized t-shirts that capture the spirit of different events. Every purchase directly supports Red Bird Christian School.
Whether it's for school sports, birthdays, reunions, or random moments of joy, these custom creations show off creativity and passion. Check out 4th of July designs, summer exclusives, and the stunning new 'Dillion Asher Cabin' design available at the Cardinal Café. This collaboration not only adds a new element to the cafe’s charm but also instills a sense of pride and accomplishment to young folk who created them. These students gain hands-on experience in design and entrepreneurship.
Over the past couple of years, the Cardinal Café has blossomed from its humble beginnings. Once known for its simple sandwiches and salads, the café now features a full menu packed with Appalachian-inspired style. They still serve up favorites like the "Coal Miner's Special" and the "Route 66" sandwich (a hot ham and cheese named after the familiar road), while the new "Kids Corner" features chicken nuggets, corn dogs, and pizza calzones.
Alongside the famous Frappalachia, you'll find more community-inspired drink creations like the new "Emma Blast," dreamed up by a sweet, young local gal, who was thrilled to see her idea take center stage, and “Golden Cardinals,” an orange creamsicle classic. Don’t miss the "Big Blue Crush," a bold blend of blue Gatorade and blackberry syrup.
This month's “Spotlight of the Month” shines on Brandi Vanover, the devoted and dynamic manager of the Cardinal Café.
Brandi is the kind of person who instantly makes an impression—she’s spunky with a kind heart that reminds you of an Appalachian auntie who always knows just what to say, such as a "Hello, Darlin'!" that makes your days brighter. She’s not the type to boast about her relationship with Jesus and doesn't try to fit into a mold, though her Baptist roots have shaped her in meaningful ways. Instead, Brandi focuses on showing people the love of Jesus through her actions—whether it’s connecting with customers, offering a listening ear during tough moments, or pouring herself into the work she does at the café. Her long hours and unwavering dedication don’t just keep the Cardinal Café running; they make it a place where every visitor feels a little more seen, a little more cared for, and a little closer to home.
Jade, the newest addition to the Cardinal Café team, is a breath of fresh air. As a college student, she brings youthful energy and enthusiasm to every shift. Despite being new, she's picked up the ropes incredibly fast, impressing everyone with her kindness and eagerness to learn.
Young Alums Continue Life-Giving Ways
Sydney Nolan (2025) and Breanna Couch (2024) had their first opportunity to give life through giving blood as high school students when the Kentucky Blood Center Bloodmobile came to Red Bird Christian School. Breanna, now a college student in Lexington, was back visiting Sydney when they decided to get on board the KBC Bloodmobile again to give life on Tuesday for the Clay County Blood Drive in Manchester.
104-year Legacy of Outreach in Bell
Community Outreach continued Red Bird Mission’s 104-year legacy of serving needs in Bell County on Tuesday. Staff and volunteers participated in the Community Health and Resource Fair sponsored by the Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency and the Bell County Cooperative Extension Service. Candace Collins, Women and Children’s Ministries Coordinator, teamed with a frequent volunteer from Illinois, Brenda Dickirson, to share school supplies, handmade clothing, and inform more than 100 people attending about ongoing Red Bird Mission programs. Another Red Bird Mission local volunteer and program participant from Big Creek, Lois Smith, was able to join them in her advocacy work to connect people needing septic repairs or maintenance with the Kentucky Water Alliance.
In the early years, Red Bird Mission served a higher percentage of Bell County residents due to the Beverly Campus location in the county. Population shifts due to coal mine closures and the relocation of almost all program facilities to Clay County have been among factors leading to higher percentages of outreach support in Clay and Leslie counties currently.
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