GRANTS - “We feed the poor. First with food and then we feed the soul, just as Jesus instructed in the bible,” is Mary Saye's description of Grants Community Outreach Center. Carolyn Pope commented that “God just provides” the center with its operating expenses. Saye and Pope, Outreach Center board members, explained the center began in 2003 at 907 West Santa Fe Ave. Open for one hour daily, clothing and hot meals are provided “to anyone who comes through the door.” Volunteers manage it Mondays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.

    Pope reported 1,500 meals have been provided in the past three months. The average: 6,000 servings per year to homeless and transients. Daily, four to six volunteers prepare and serve luncheon. Saye noted the popularity of jalapeño peppers, any type of beans and salads, with Ranch the preferred dressing.

    The center is non-profit, it does not apply for grants and receives no government assistance. It functions through donations from church events, area businesses, individuals and inter-denominational gifts. Meals are prepared and served by members of several area churches. Volunteers rotate work schedules.

    Some families seek out the center for food and clothing but a majority of those served are individual males. People requesting a place to stay are referred to Joy Junction, the Albuquerque homeless shelter.

    According to Saye and Pope, the center has been without adequate water and sewer services since June of 2007 because of collapsed pipes in that block of the avenue. Donated bottled water is used for coffee-making and mixing fruit-flavored drinks. The lack of facilities translates into off-premise food preparation. Without restroom facilities, the center has had to eliminate bible study classes, quilting bees and various special programs

    A spokesman for OMI, which controls the city's water meters and lines, said a meter box will be installed between city water lines and the center's water system as a short term remedy. Center personnel said they expect water service by today. The process for replacing and upgrading the existing water lines is still underway. A start and completion date for the upgrade work was not given.

The Rev. Garland Moore, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church of Milan, urged area residents “to remember those less fortunate and open your hearts, homes and finances to the needy.” Moore listed opportunities: volunteer, feed a family, provide a professional service, food and/or clothing donations, financial assistance, offers of transportation, pay a utility bill, medical and/or dental help, blankets/sleeping bag donations, children's gifts, hair cuts and ministry services.

    Immanuel Baptist actively supports the Community Outreach Center. A holiday Thanksgiving dinner, at the center, is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 25, from noon to 1 p.m. The menu features turkey and dressing, giblet gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, rolls, salads, pies, coffee and juices.

Community Outreach Center

Thanksgiving meal: Wednesday, Nov. 25, noon to 1 p.m.,

no reservations required

Menu: turkey and dressing, giblet gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, rolls, salads, pies, coffee and juice.

HELP NEEDED

The center needs: volunteers, financial donations, transportation assistance, food/clothing donations, children's gifts, sleeping bags/blankets, food for families, providers of professional services, assistance with utility bills, providers for hair cuts and people to assist with

ministry services.

For more information,

call Garland Moore, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church,

 at 287-8510.