Local Catawba Valley Charity Giving Out Bread
Our Daily Bread was founded in November 2005 by Jim and Liqiu Taylor. The Taylor’s began Our Daily Bread basically because of the numerous stories they are hearing about various local agencies. These agencies require people who need help to meet various guidelines and requirements. Jim says, “To us, that seems not only selfish, but also ludicrous. I mean, Hello!! What is wrong with this picture here? If you all of a sudden fell down on your luck, lost your job and are about to lose your home because you need the money you have to feed your kids, do you really think that you would have the time and much less the money to drive all over town to the various agencies (especially with the way the extreme gas prices are rising) and then you would have to spend virtually the entire day just to get called for your interview and even that’s not a guarantee that you will qualify for their help.”
Everyday thousands of Americans go hungry due to various reasons and situations. But while Jim was in China, he noticed that with the millions of people that he saw throughout the city, he hardly ever saw anyone begging on the street. When he asked his wife how could this be? She replied, “The Chinese people are very proud individuals and to them it is (all) their duty to look after their neighbors and if someone is spotted as needing food or clothing there will be someone close by to pick them up to get whatever it is that they need.” So after returning to the States the couple decided to try and do their part in hopes of not only setting an example in their community but to also make a difference in someone else’s life.
Since November of 2005 they have donated over 4 tons of food, 5 tons of clothing, 1 ton of bedding including a tractor trailer load of mattresses and box springs and around 1 ton of small appliances to the Catawba Valley Community. Jim mentions, “Since we began we have had well over 4,000 people come by and received or they have called us. We have delivered various items that are needed to these people when gas donations are possible. Can you imagine just how much more we could do and help if we had the entire communities support? But because of the lack of support there has been many times that we have had to sadly turn folks away simply because we do not have it here to give.”
I asked Mr. Taylor, “What group of people are you helping?” and his reply was very fair. They don’t think of people as a group because it tends to lead to stereo-types which is unfair. But they do however extend their hands out first to those who are: Single parents, Elderly, Battered Men and Women, Runaway and abused Children, The Handicap and then of course those who are just on a very limited budget. But no matter who they are, Our Daily Bread well strive hard to keep the thoughts of how the good Lord would handle these things. As he once said, “Hungry? Come, sit at my table and I will feed you. Naked? Come and I will clothe you. Weary? Come and rest with me a while.” By keepings these things in mind we feel that if we just follow those examples, we can’t go wrong.
The services that Our Daily Bread provides all depends on the funds in hand as well as how much we are able to take in and store for the needy. As in the past and hopefully in the future we will be able to give out: Baked Goods, (Breads, Cakes, Snacks, etc) Canned Goods, Non-Perishables, Clothing, Appliances, Bedding, Gas Cards and with the help of our neighbors, Automobiles. Everything we get and donate is 100% free. If it is donated to us then we will pass it on to those in need and not ask a single penny for it. Our Daily Bread is not (yet) a non-profit organization or a true charity, since they have never applied for charity status. Jim’s quote on this is, “The cost of just filing the forms to be a charity cost well over $600.00 and that’s way beyond our means at this point, but after learning about the Good Samaritan Act of 1996, it allows us to be able to donate various items as long as those who are accepting these items understands that they were donated to us and in turn we are donating it to them “WITHOUT CHARGE”.” They go to great lengths to make sure that every donated food item is not damaged, spoiled or have never been tampered with. All clothing is carefully inspected to make sure it is free from harmful chemicals, stains, rips or tares and then they wash, dry and fold each one before letting them go back out the door. When it comes to appliances they make sure that the person who is receiving them understands that its condition is not known and that it is “AS IS”. The Gas cards are purchased by whatever funds the community has decided to donate to them and then those cards are given out to those in need.
As times are hard for everyone we must remember that if we all give back to the community, our landfills would be less busy. Upon asking Jim about donating or volunteering, he said, “Anyone can donate to Our Daily Bread. Individuals, Churches, local Companies, it doesn’t matter because it is about ALL OF US doing OUR part to help out OUR fellow neighbors.” All donations will be accepted as long as it is in good shape. Unopened food items, canned goods, clothing, pampers, linens, building supplies that are still in good and reusable conditions (which will go to Habitat for Humanity), operational appliances, tools and computers. You name it, if it can go to someone to help better themselves then they will take it, inspect it, and then donate it back out to the community. Space, at this time, is very limited though, so if you are willing to donate a small store front or even a warehouse space in which to house all the donated items, please call ASAP. You can call Jim and Liqui Taylor at (828) 695-8858 or drop them an email at jtaylor69_9@yahoo.com. To learn more about Our Daily Bread you can visit their website at http://webpages.charter.net/jtaylo699/ourdailybread.
Our Daily Bread’s motto is based on a very old Chinese culture where, if you have extra give it freely. If you know of a resource to fill your neighbors need then utilize it and assist your neighbor so that
