The need changes, but it remains. With the need comes agencies that do what they can to help, including Table of Grace.

The Table of Grace was recently informed Bell Pole & Lumber is again offering a challenge to the community. Commit up to $40,000 to Table of Grace by the end of 2022, and the company will match.

The letter informing Table of Grace of the matching grant was received by Lee and Sheri Eads early this month. The company will match whatever amount is raised by December 31. The grant is to help cover operating costs, from purchasing food to facility maintenance.

Since last year this time, Table of Grace has expanded, and changed. The outreach organization now includes a transitional housing motel, and a mobile food pantry. 

"It's not a homeless shelter," Sheri Eads said.

The Table of Grace is conducting a Christmas decorations sale today and Saturday to support the programs. As of Friday afternoon, Table of Grace has received $700 in donations and more than $700 in sales of Christmas decorations. 

She said the organization ads about five families to its client list each week. She said the number of families served is over the pre-COVID statistics.Food and fuel costs are driving some of the numbers, according to Eads. She said food donations are also down. 

The Table of Grace is also anticipating a new facility. Sandhills Publishing funded a new building, and partnered with Adams Industries to construct a mobile food pantry. The mobile food pantry allows the Eads to take food to other communities in the area.

With the expansion of services, Eads says the program needs more volunteers: for the store, the food pantry and the mobile food pantry.

To support the Table of Grace matching grant, contact Eads at 1-308-765-0362, at 2031 Illinois St., or through Paypal using the code 1403077.