A CAM food bundle for two people for three days.
Since its inception in 1984 by 11 participating churches and the community, the organization called “CAM,” an acronym for, “Christian Action Ministries,” has been helping to feed the hungry and needy people in Branson and Taney County. CAM’s primary goal “is to help people obtain the basic resources of food; to encourage self-sufficiency and independence and bring together the caring communities religious, business, and individual for meeting these needs.”
CAM accomplishes this goal by operating food pantries at two central locations where food is distributed directly to those families and individuals who need it. Its services are provided at minimal administrative cost by a two person permanent staff and dedicated volunteers working together to obtain the food and coordinate its distribution to hundreds of hungry and needy families and people each month.
CAM’s 2009 Annual Report shows that its volunteers donated 6,569 hours to CAM and that CAM provided food and resources for over 5,881 families and 14, 817 individuals, an increase of 34 percent over 2008 and over 50% from 2006. Recently Jack Burke, CAM’s Volunteer Chairman of the Board said that so far in 2010 all indications are that the number of families and individuals needing help will grow even higher.
Dave Hoy, CAM’s Volunteer Treasurer, said that the food that is distributed comes from three basic sources the Federal government (25%), private food donations (50%) and food purchased with private donations (25%). He said that, within the limits of the resources available, CAM tries to provide a nutritionally balanced diet in the food parcels they distribute.
The shelves of one of CAM's processing rooms where items are "picked" and pre bundled.
Hoy said it’s a simple process for people to get CAM’s assistance. All they have to do is come into one of the two CAM Food Pantries. Within 10 to 15 minutes they will have been processed and leave with enough food for each family member for three days. To make the process more efficient and to try to ensure that the elements of a nutritionally balanced diet are provided, CAM’s volunteers pre-bundle the food in bags containing enough food for one or two people for three days. As clients are processed the volunteers bring them the appropriate number of bags for the size of their family.
He pointed out that people can get Federal food for only three days a month. That means that any assistance beyond that has to come from private food donations or purchased food. This creates a huge need for private donations of food and cash. The need increases with CAM’s efforts to provide a nutritionally balanced diet. Many times the components necessary to do so must be purchased because they are not available through either Federal or donated food.
CAM Board Chairman Jack Burke points out that the “Branson CAM Gospel Sing-Off” is one of CAM’s major fundraising events of the year. It will be held at the magnificent Sight and Sound Theatre, the home of the spectacular productions of “NOAH the Musical” and the “Miracle of Christmas” at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 5. The 12 finalists, selected from over 50 entrants will compete for $3,000 in prizes, $1,500 for First Place, $1,000 for Second Place and $500 for third place before a large Branson audience and a panel of celebrity judges..
In sponsoring the prize purse for CAM’s Gospel Sing Off, Lianne Milton, co-owner of the Branson Tourism Center with her husband Larry, said, “As a member of the Branson community, we are honored and humbled to be able to help further the work of Christian Action Ministries as it provides needed food to thousands of people within our community. We are so appreciative of the efforts of CAM and its dedicated volunteers for all that they do.”
The CAM Food Pantry in Branson is currently located on the lower level of “Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 202 – B Vaughn and may be contacted by phone at 417-334-1157 or through their website www.christianactionministries.org. Although subject to change, the Branson Food Pantry is Open Monday through Friday from 12 to 4 p.m. with extended hours on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. The CAM Food Pantry in Forsyth is located at 10275 E. Highway 76 in the NEC Foundation building and may be contacted by phone at 417-251-0260. Its current hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday except for every fourth Tuesday when it is closed.