By Mike Steely

Senior Writer

steelym@knoxfocus.com

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are busy days for Angelic Ministries. On those days, every week, people in need come there for food, furniture, linens, kitchen supplies, clothing and personal care items. In the Christmas season the ministry also has gifts, toys for children, bicycles, decorations and will even be giving away the Christmas trees that decorate the facility located at 1218 North Central Avenue.

Christmas items available to individuals and families are collected throughout the year and there’s even a room where children can pick out presents for family members. The organization is always in need of items, volunteers and prayers.

Founded in 2002 by Betsy Stowers Frazier, Angelic extends to individuals and families referred to them by churches or government organizations. Many of the families served have lost their belongings to fires or natural disaster. Some are homeless or escaping abusive situations and want to start their lives over.

The Christmas season is especially trying for people in need. Brother Tony Earl ministered to a couple dozen people one recent Wednesday morning. He spoke about giving gifts and noted that the most important gift was the life of Jesus Christ. He said God’s gift of His son was a gift to each individual present and one to be shared.

Angelic Ministries receives no government funding and operates solely from donations from caring churches, ministries, caring private companies, organizations and individuals. These monetary efforts are supplemented with devoted volunteers’ time.

Angelic operates several homes for homeless men and men from other rough situations and teaches them marketable job skills through its Knox Christian Men’s Job Corps, part of a national initiative. The men  give back by picking, sorting and organizing donations.

Brother Earl said the ministry is looking for a location for a men’s ranch.  The funds from the sale of the ministry’s church property in Halls will go to buying a place where the program can be under one roof, teach the men daily functioning skills and even have space to grow their own food.

He estimates it will take about $200,000 to develop a property and hopes to have a celebration of the project this coming spring.

Angelic Ministries receives donations Monday and Tuesdays and the office hours are from 8 a.m. until 3:30. On Saturdays donations are accepted from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

You can also call and schedule a pickup of large items. All donors receive a receipt for tax purposes upon request.

Each Saturday at noon there is a service called “Music, Message and Manna.” Parts of the service are provided by volunteers from churches, small groups, colleges and others.

Angelic is always in need of donations such as plates, canned vegetables, twin mattresses, box springs, clothing — especially underwear, towels, blankets, cleaning supplies, can openers, measuring cubs, utensils, hygiene items, food and things like paper towels, napkins and toilet paper.

Volunteers are needed as for stocking, office work and cleaning. You can contact the volunteer coordinator, Tammy, at (865) 523-8884 for information on volunteering and how to take a tour of the facility.

Brother Earl is also encouraging the idea of “regifting” an item you may not want. It is not too late to consider giving an end-of-the-year gift to help with their important work.

As you celebrate this holiday season don’t forget the families in need in our area. You can help by calling Angelic Ministries at (865) 523-8884. You can find Angelic online at  www.AngelicMinistries.com or on Facebook.