Major George Gibson Chapter Regent Nancy Britton presented this year’s National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award to Roger and Judy Hansard on Feb. 27. Recipients of this award must have contributed to the community in an outstanding manner through voluntary heroic, civic, benevolent service, or by organizing or participating in community activities.
“The Hansards are certainly deserving of this award,” she said.
Roger and Judy Hansard are associated with the First Baptist Church of New Tazewell and the Regional Education Ministries (RECM). They had a successful 2015 in ministering to the needy in Jesus’ name. Approximately 600 people were fed through the First Baptist Church Food Pantry, ending 2015 with 5,575 served with over 90,000 pounds of nutritious food.
The RECM is approved as a USDA distributor giving out 6,000 pounds of food per month. In 2015, the Hansards trained 15 people in food handling by the USDA, purchased a heavy duty food trailer, attended a North American Mission Board Send Conference in Nashville, and attended Service Corps Training in Minnesota.
Both were appointed North American Mission Board Missionaries in July 2015.
The Hansards are now picking up 4,000 pounds of food monthly from Atlanta. They have also developed an agreement with Walmart to receive shelf-pulls, bakery items, fresh fruit, and vegetables. They partner with a local church to serve 130 needy families and with a church in Georgia for backpacks and a Christmas party. The Hansards were recognized with an award from Second Harvest of East Tennessee.
Roger and Judy’s ministry targets children and the elderly. Their food distribution is important as the downturn in the economy has made life more challenging to the local community. They believe, however, that there is always hope for economic improvement. They have asked for our prayers as they continue their ministry.
Roger added that they work with area churches needing revitalization. That mostly centers around food, he said, as there is such a need in this area. Statistically, one out of five children go to bed hungry and many elderly people have to choose between buying medicine and food. They also help local churches, when requested, with adult or family literacy programs, computer classes, and selling online.
The Hansards expressed appreciation for the award and again requested prayers for their continued ministry.
