Upon entering Sweetwater Mission, you will find a person handing out food samples to visitors. Families can be seen filling their shopping carts with fruits, vegetables and meats. It might look like a normal grocery store or market, but this place represents so much more.
Veronica Molina’s first visit some seven years ago to the Austell organization was a life saver in a time of financial crisis. Her husband had lost his job and the family’s finances turned upside down.
“I received food and clothing and I was so grateful,” remembers Molina, a native of Mexico who today serves as one of 200 volunteers for the organization.
At the market, where families in need fill their carts with food for themselves and their children, an elderly volunteer helps visitors choose their food items. When thanked, she responds: “Being able to come and help is a blessing for me.”
While it is not a true store, those who take advantage of the 50-year-old organization’s services feel welcomed and receive basic necessities, according to Executive Director Darlene Duke.
“I want everyone who comes here to have the best experience,” said Duke. “I want them to feel that they are valuable people, that they are valuable in God’s eyes and that they are valuable in our eyes, no matter their circumstances.”
Approximately 75 families visit the organization every day. Accordong to officials, Sweetwater Mission has the largest food bank in Georgia. Of those families, however, very few are Hispanic, despite the fact that the organization is aware that many Latinos could benefit from their services.
Part of the problem is that some in the Latino community fear that they will be reported to immigration officials if they utilize the organization’s food bank or clothing donations. Duke is emphatic, however, that Sweetwater Mission is completely autonomous and depends on private funds, for which reason they do not have to report to any agencies.
“Nowhere in my Bible does it say, ‘Love your documented brother,’” said Duke. “It just says brother. There are several references in the Bible where it speaks about helping orphans, widows and immigrants, and that’s what we should do.”
On one occasion the organization was offered a sizable financial contribution but with the stipulation that it could only serve those individuals who reside in the country legally.
“I turned down $35,000, because we would have had to provide proof that the people we serve weren’t undocumented, and I said, ‘Keep your money; we don’t want it,’” said Duke. “A week later, I received a $50,000 check in the mail, something I had not requested. When you do the right thing, you will be rewarded, and God is responsible for that.”
The organization has hired more people who speak Spanish, in order to better reach and serve the Latino community. At the same time, she implored those in the Hispanic community who are looking for a place to serve to consider volunteering at the organization, which needs additional help in serving Latinos.
“There’s nothing better for the soul than looking beyond yourself,” said Duke.
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