Statesboro First UMC's Project Deer Share helps fight hunger with hunting

By Kara Witherow, Editor Venison. It’s the other red meat. With Georgia’s deer season in full swing, many South Georgia hunters are starting to harvest some of the state’s abundant supply of whitetail deer. And with the liberal limit of 12 deer per season, many hunters are finding – or soon will find – themselves with an excess supply of venison that they and their families can’t consume. That was the case with Statesboro First United Methodist Church...

Jesup First UMC challenges members to shape up

By Kara Witherow, Editor By February, many resolution makers have abandoned their New Year’s goals. Whether the resolutions were to lose weight, live a healthier lifestyle, save money or something else, many are scrapped before spring. That’s why, in early February, Jesup First United Methodist Church kicked off their 13-week Shape Up Health Challenge. With a holistic focus on health, the program was born out of a desire to have healthier minds, bodies and spirits. “I...

Backpack Buddies battles hunger in Bulloch County

By Kara Witherow, South Georgia Advocate Editor For a state that is well known for its peach, pecan and poultry production, the issue of hunger is, nonetheless, a real and ever-present problem in Georgia. To help combat the issue of childhood hunger, in September 2008 members of Statesboro First United Methodist Church began Backpack Buddies, a ministry dedicated to helping meet the needs of hungry children in Bulloch County. Teaming up with Sallie Zetterower Elementary School to provide...