A Big Bag From A Big Heart

The most interesting thing happened this afternoon at our Gleaning For The World office. A group came to volunteer for a couple of hours in our warehouse sorting supplies. One of the group members, nine-year-old Everette, approached us with a large bag of coins.

Everette explained to us that he had been collecting for quite some time now. Instead of buying a cool toy, he decided to do something bigger. He donated his ziplock bag of coins, which added up to be $50! And since GFTW can take every $1 donated and multiply it by 72 times, his bag of coins will help provide more than $3,500.

What a remarkable boy! His donation will help provide food and medical supplies to a family who may not have eaten in days, weeks or months. His donation will also help provide a stuffed animal to a child who has never owned anything, much less a toy. Little Everette is a blessing to those families and to Gleaning.

Gleaning Prevention

Gleaning For The World (GFTW) has been in constant contact with doctors and organizations working in Mexico. Specifically, these groups have been helping with the swine flu outbreak. According to two different doctors working in Mexico, the flu appears to be mutating and may cause another wave of the virus to spread.

Currently, GFTW has more than 3,000 masks available in our Concord, Virginia warehouse. We are trying to locate more quickly. We are providing doctors in Mexico City with 10,000 masks to prevent this flu from spreading further than it already has. While another wave to spread is still uncertain, we want to help physicians prepare for the worst case scenario.

If you would like to help our mission, through financial contributions or product donations, please contact Gleaning For The World. Thank you for your support!

Helping Children Miles Away

80% of it's people follow Hinduism. About 13% follow Islam. Among the other religions followed, only 2% know and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. The place...India. But Gleaning For The World (GFTW) has a small part in changing that.

Scott Ray, Convocation Director at Liberty University (LU), is heading up a team of college students heading for India. Just yesterday, Scott and a LU student came to GFTW to sort and pack supplies needed for the trip. Medical and school supplies were provided. Simple toothbrushes and toothpaste will be given to many who have never brushed their teeth their entire lives. Also, 200 pairs of new shoes will be handed out! A simple pair of shoes can help prevent ringworms and other parasites from entering the feet, which would ultimately end up killing a person, if not treated.

These supplies were donated by GFTW and will be distributed to people in need by LU students. This is "earning the right to be heard," as Pastor Jonathan Falwell often states from the sanctuary in Thomas Road Baptist Church. We are providing for the needs and then providing the Gospel. God takes care of the rest. Just another day in the ministry.

Swine Flu Preparations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27, 2009 / Concord, VA – According to recent news reports, the swine flu virus is suspected to be the blame for more than 100 deaths in Mexico. Nearly 40 cases of the virus have been confirmed in the United States. The virus has been reported to be airborne, and it is mutating from person to person. President Obama has declared an emergency declaration.

Gleaning For The World (GFTW) is watching the potential spread of the virus and is taking preventative measures to help protect people who may become affected. Currently, GFTW has $3.5 million in medical supplies with protective gear that is now on hold for immediate distribution in the Concord warehouse. GFTW will maintain these supplies until the state of alert is lifted. GFTW is communicating with humanitarian groups like the Red Cross to see if any of these supplies are needed in the U.S.

GFTW is also contacting medical companies across the nation to locate and rapidly receive more supplies that may be needed. GFTW will make certain several tractor-trailer loads of protective gear and supportive supplies are available to the Central Virginia community. If the virus does not affect our area, the supplies will then be made available to other localities in the United States.

GFTW prepared a procedural guide two years ago to be used in case there is a major out break of a virus. GFTW is updating this documentation and is on immediate call up to be ready if and when the virus spreads throughout Central Virginia.

Rev. Davidson, President and COO of GFTW placed the entire staff on 24/7 call up in case the supplies and/or the logistics services are needed.

“We have been receiving reports today that the potential for this virus to spread throughout the United States is increasing. We will do everything possible to assist people in Central Virginia if our services are needed, and then we will work to assist other non-profits in caring for people affected by the virus in other locations. Our staff is always prepared to do whatever is necessary to help people in need.”

Gleaning Update

Because of your dedication, Gleaning For The World continues to provide hope in the United States and overseas. Medical supplies, nutritional supplements, and furniture are just a few of the life-saving supplies we have already placed this year. And we have much more work ahead.

In March, Gleaning has been active in providing our partnering groups with the supplies they need. Domestically, nearly 6,000 lives have been touched because of our organization. Shoes were placed in Northern Virginia, water was provided to a Central Virginia ministry, perishable food was sent to Southwestern Virginia and another shipment of furniture was provided to Hurricane Ike victims in Texas. Already this year, Gleaning has shipped nearly 20,000 blankets to groups that respond to the homeless. We realize more people will find themselves without jobs and homes, and we are committed to provide blankets, personal care items and other supplies our partnering groups need.

Internationally, we shipped 38,000 pounds of soap to people in need of better hygiene to prevent diseases from spreading in El Salvador. GFTW shipped almost $2 million of medical supplies and other much needed products to help support thousands of people in Guatemala struggling with poverty. In Zimbabwe, we sent more than half of a million dollars worth of medical supplies to help hospitals, clinics and villages in desperate need. Gaza received nearly $1 million in medical supplies for innocent people recovering from the recent conflict. We are also committing $1 million worth of medical supplies to Togo, Africa.

As you can tell, Gleaning For The World is working hard to make sure those in need receive aid. And we are grateful you have helped to make that possible. Please keep our ministry in your thoughts and prayers. Your continued support is key to reaching more people!

Sincerely,

Ronald T. DavidsonPresident & CEO

Gleaning For The World and Thomas Road Baptist Church Announce Merger

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 7, 2009 (Concord, Virginia) – All over the globe, there are desperate cries for help. Right now, there are millions of people suffering in poverty, hunger, sickness and natural disasters. That’s why Gleaning For The World (GFTW) was founded more than one decade ago… to care for the sick, clothe the naked and feed the hungry. GFTW wants to continue this effort with full-force for years to come. And GFTW needs help to make that possible.

That’s why Gleaning For The World is proud to announce a merger with Thomas Road Baptist Church (TRBC) and Pastor Jonathan Falwell in Lynchburg, Virginia. For 53 years, TRBC has had a tremendous impact around the globe. TRBC can provide a tremendous resource to GFTW… people. Through this transition, GFTW can locate more life-saving supplies in the U.S. and overseas that can support more humanitarian organizations working in the field in an efficient manner. In addition, the merger will bring more financial stability during this economic downturn. And this means more lives will be changed and saved.

Pastor Falwell said he was impressed with how Rev. Ron Davidson, GFTW president and chief operating officer, stepped down as pastor of a 1,200-member church in order to start the organization from scratch. Pastor Falwell added, “Ron has led GFTW to be recognized for the second consecutive year by Forbes.com as the nation’s top charity in terms of both fundraising efficiency and charitable commitment. I am excited about the opportunity for our church to get involved in providing assistance to many hurting people as well as having new opportunities for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them.”
Rev. Ron Davidson, GFTW President and COO, is honored to be a part of the new direction for the ministry he founded.

Rev. Davidson stated, “I approached Jonathan Falwell last November about the potential of joining the two ministries together. It just made sense to me that two organizations who share a common goal could be more effective in meeting the humanitarian crises, if we worked together. TRBC has the same integrity and Christian witness we have tried to build at Gleaning. They also have the desire to reach the poor and care for people who are hurting and need help just to survive. Together, we can expand our outreach and touch the lives of more people.”
Pastor Falwell says he envisions “big growth” at GFTW for years to come.