Charlie Charping, administrator

for Fayette Samaritans, recalls the day a mother came in for food for

her three young children.

"As soon as she got it into the car, they started tearing into it,"

he said. Hungry people in Fayette County? You betcha.

The Samaritans are an all-volunteer group that works hand in hand with

area churches to provide emergency assistance to families or individuals

needing food or one-time financial aid. "We never turn anybody down

for food," Charping said.

With the support of 31 churches and groups such as the Boy Scouts, the

Samaritans have a well-stocked pantry of canned goods, a freezer of meat

and two closets chock-full of clothing for citizens in need.

Their outreach operation began in 1991 with seven churches. Swamped with

requests for food and financial aid, church pastors agreed that a central

point for dispensing food and vouchers for those in need was timely. Not

only would it free up their time to attend to their countless pastoral

duties, but it would also discourage abuses of the food distribution programs.

In 1992 the Samaritans were chartered, and today operate from several

offices and storerooms at the rear of the Fayette County Department of

Family and Children Services between 9 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday.

Charping has been a Samaritan volunteer for five years and is one of about

60 men and women who offer their time to keep things running. He looks

upon his job as a personal ministry, "...something I was called by

the Lord to do," he explained.

Periodically throughout the interview, he is interrupted by volunteers

seeking to solve the latest crisis. From supplying vouchers to single

mothers for payment of utilities to supplying special children in foster

care with diapers, the Samaritans try to meet the physical needs of Fayette

County's less fortunate.

At times, the pantry's shelves are in short supply of necessary items,

especially during the summer months when children are home from school

and not participating in government-supported breakfast and lunch programs,

Charping noted. Luckily, there are several churches that provide financial

donations, which helps to fill the void.

After the Boy Scouts' winter food drive, Charping found that 30 percent

of what had been collected was canned green beans and canned corn. Not

that it isn't needed and appreciated, but the Samaritans seek to balance

their clients' diets with meats and fruits as well, he said.

A nearby warehouse holds bedding, household items and out-of-season clothing,

which the Samaritans also keep on hand.

Stories about throw-away children, seniors in need of food and clothing,

and single mothers about to be evicted from their homes seem almost unbelievable

in Fayette County, but they are heart-wrenchingly true, Charping admits.

Soon the Samaritans will be gearing up for the holidays and providing

Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for individuals and families referred

to them by DFACS and the churches.

The Samaritans are a unique volunteer family with plenty of room to grow

in staffing but not in physical space. Charping said their greatest need

is additional space, like 20,000 square feet. Persons wishing to volunteers

with the Samaritans can contact the office by phoning 770-460-2586.