CONCORD, N.C.,None — The Cooperative Christian Ministry opened its doors to the public on Friday, giving tours to people who might be potential donors in the upcoming year.
Executive Director Ed Hosack said it's important for people to see firsthand how their money and donations are used.
"It helps us to show them so that they can understand the far-reaching aspect of the ministry, but also how we achieve the efficiencies that we do," Hosack said.
Kenny Shumaker, his wife and friends visited the organization, which distributed more than 1 million pounds of food this year, for the first time on Friday.
"It just blows me away, all the people out here who need help," Shumaker said.
They belong to a group called Hellfighters Christian Ministries and are looking for ways to help more people in the community.
"There (are) just so many people here (who are) out of work, (who) don't know how they're going to feed their families (or) how they're going to pay their rent," Shumaker said.
Hosack said the need continues to grow and that he expects to distribute even more food next year.
"With records breaking in the food pantries, we're intending to create two new food pantries in 2011," he said.
In addition to its food pantries, Cooperative Christian Ministry offers many other programs, including an emergency shelter. The need is so great that the number of beds has more than doubled, from 40 to 105. The organization said it plans to add 15 more in the coming weeks.
For more information about the organization, click here.