Benevolence means kindness, compassion, generosity, and goodwill. The goal of our Benevolence program at Beltline Church of Christ is to show kindness, compassion, generosity, and goodwill to those of our surrounding community who need help.
Those needing assistance will no longer have to line up for service on a first come first serve basis but will be able to make an appointment on Wednesday mornings by calling 256-566-6221 beginning at 8:30 am to arrange an appointment. Those calling will need to give their name, and some type of official identification number, that they can bring with them. (Drivers license number, Utility Bill account number, etc). When you call on Wednesdays the process will be explained to you. No one will be allowed to line up before 4:30 pm. You will need to be at the church between 4:30 – 4:45 pm to confirm your appointment. If you do not speak with a real person you do not have an appointment and there is no need to come for assistance. At this time our phone service will accommodate only those who speak English. If you do not speak English you will have to have someone who does call for you. Translators will still be available that evening at our building for those who have an appointment. We will be closed on the 5th Wednesday of each month.
The Beltline Benevolence department is open most every Wednesday Night from 4:30pm – 6:45pm to interview those in need. The majority of our clients come from Morgan County. However, we have assisted individuals from Lawrence, Cullman, Limestone, Madison, and other neighboring counties as well. We assist most often with food and clothes. However, we can assist with rent and utilities (most assistance, if provided, is limited to approximately $50 for rent and utilities per request).
We do not assist individuals on a “regular” basis but hopefully until they can provide for themselves. Please note, that if we assist you with any amount of money, there will be a minimum of 6 months before we will consider assisting you with any monetary support; example; if we helped you with rent or utilities in January, we would not consider assisting you with any monetary help until at least JULY (6 full months); also note, that if you show up every 6 months requesting monetary assistance, we will not be able to assist as this would fall under the “regular” category. Food and clothes do not fall into this same category, however, please remember we would not assist on a regular basis (weekly); good guidance is every 6-8 weeks. We also assist periodically with the following:
- Local Free Clinic with prescription medication purchases
- Burnout victims (food/clothes/lodging for one or two nights and furniture/appliances)
- Transient assistance (lodging/food/gas)
- Furniture and appliances (as we have them available or donated to us)
- Congregational care (for members of our congregation as needed)
- Local Area Churches in providing clothes to Haiti and other areas where we are aware of the need
We are in contact with the Decatur Housing Authority, Decatur Utilities (and other local utility departments in the area), Social Workers with Decatur General Hospital, other local churches, and many other local agencies on an almost weekly basis. These agencies (and many individuals in the community) refer those in need to us based on our reputation in the community as being a Caring group of Christians. All requests are handled on a case by case basis with personal attention and love.
In addition to being opened on Wednesday nights to assist those in need, we also have different projects that we coordinate throughout the year such as:
- School Supply Drive
- Coats Because We Care
- Christmas Toy Give-Away