After fire, Action Ministries Athens pledges to continue to serve community

  Leaders of Action Ministries Athens today pledged to continue to serve the people of Athens-Clarke County in spite of the devastating fire at the home of Our Daily Bread located at the Oconee Street United Methodist Church in Athens.

    According to Athens-Clarke County officials, a fire of an undetermined cause occurred at Oconee Street United Methodist Church on the evening of April 15. First responders began combatting the fire around 10:15 p.m. and brought the fire under control early in the morning of April 16, 2013.  Damage to the facility was extensive and the kitchen of Our Daily Bread was impacted. At the current time, staff does not have access to the kitchen area but does have access to the Action Ministries Athens program office, which is located in a different building near the church.

     “Since 1989, Action Ministries Athens and its Our Daily Bread program have served the working poor of Athens-Clarke County and helped them shed the burden of searching for their next meal,” said Erin Barger, executive director of Action Ministries Athens.  “Despite this devastating fire we pledge to continue to serve our local community and help those who rely on this important program.”

 “Financial donations can best help us address the current and future needs of Action Ministries Athens,” continued Barger. “We have already seen a tremendous outpouring of community support and we hope to see even more in the future.”

 No Action Ministries Athens program will be interrupted, including the Our Daily Bread program, the education programs and case management services. The 2013 Smart Lunch, Smart Kid summer healthy meals program for local children will also go ahead as planned. 

 Athens First Baptist, located at 355 Pulaski Street, will be the interim host for noon meals of Our Daily Bread this week with transportation from Oconee Street UMC to Athens First Baptist being provided by Milledge Avenue Baptist Church.

 “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rev. Lisa Caine and the church family of Oconee Street United Methodist Church,” said John R. Moeller, president and CEO of Action Ministries, the parent organization of Action Ministries Athens. “They have been our host location for many years and we value their partnership and support of our mission.”