As we enter the new year of 2012 we want to communicate with great joy how blessed the past year of 2011 has been.  We have been blessed to partner with churches, businesses, city governments, schools and individuals in bringing hope to so many.

The ministry of our food pantry has expanded to include Milford, Avalon and Forreston (Frost operates a flourishing food ministry separate from the IMA).  Our food pantry served 84 families through our Christmas box distribution in December.  We believe that number will increase in the new year so that more families and individuals who live with the constant threat of “food insecurity” will find help and hope through the “open door” of our twice a month food distribution.(First Mondays from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and third Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Italy)   

Additionally, we are serving more than 30 elementary school children of the Italy ISD through our partnership with the North Texas Food Bank.  The program is called Food4Kids and provides a nutritional backpack of weekend food to those children and families needing food assistance.  We would like to see this program expand to the other school districts as more partnerships are established.

Over 300 people attended our Community Thanksgiving BBQ meal this past November and we want to make this event even more of a joint community effort in 2012.  

Our Toys For Tots outreach, administered through Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church, provided 63 families and over 200 children with 3 toys per child for Christmas.

We are exploring the possibility of an August, 2012, back-to-school event serving the families of the four school districts.  Supplies and services (school supplies, clothing, haircuts, immunizations, dental screenings, free and reduced lunch information) that will assist families in preparing for the new school year would be provided AT NO COST.

Thanks to so many of you who have been instrumental in “making it happen” in 2011.We look forward to what 2012 will bring as we continue to bring hope and light to our communities.  

For information regarding any of our community services please call the Central Baptist Church office at 972-483-7474.

The Italy Ministerial Alliance (IMA)
Pastor Bill Morgan, Family Fellowship Church
Pastor Preston Dixon, Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor Leah Hidde-Gregory, First United Methodist Church
Pastor Mittie Muse, Mt Zion AME Church
Pastor Ronnie Dabney, First Baptist Church
Pastor Algua Isaac, Union Missionary Baptist Church
Interim Pastor Dr. Charles Wade, Central Baptist Church
Pastor Jim Brown, Park Presbyterian Church
Pastors Alvin & Mayme Onstad, Church in the Wildwood