Good Samaritan Ministries is well into the last month of the Feinstein Challenge and while donations have been great, there is still room to meet their final goal of $150,000.

So far this year, $24,430 in cash and 105,989 pounds of food have been donated to Good Samaritan Ministries for the two-month challenge.

Until the end of April, every monetary gift designated for food will count toward the annual Feinstein Challenge: March Against Hunger. In addition, each food item donated counts as a $1 donation toward the challenge. The food items can also be counted by the pound, whichever is greater.

“It takes just over $11,000 each month just to fund GSM’s three hunger ministries: Food Pantry, Food for Thought Program and The Deer Project. That doesn’t include financial assistance programs, utilities and payroll”, stated Angelia Bostick, Executive Director of GSM. “We are serving over 1,000 families—approximately 3,000 individuals– each month.”

That means that GSM spends just under $4 per person per month. It takes it all—food drives and monetary gifts to meet the need. Bostick said they have a lot of buying power with the dollars they receive. For each $1.66 you spend at the grocery store, it costs GSM 18 cents!

“But there are items not available at the Food Bank and that’s where the food drives and food donations from Wal-Mart and Kroger and the community are so important to us,” Bostick said. “We are blessed so generously by the folks in this community, and we are truly grateful.”

There is still time for anyone who would like to hold a food drive. Just do so prior to April 30 and the proceeds can count toward the Feinstein Challenge. A monetary donation may be mailed to P.O. Box 1136, Brownwood, TX 76804, brought in to 305 Clark Street or made online at goodsambwd.org.

For more information, call 643-2273.