Christian Center of Concern in Hamilton offers community-funded assistance to those in need

HAMILTON — The Christian Center of Concern in Hamilton is an answer to prayers for many, providing food and aid in various ways to those going through tough times or to the elderly, whose limited incomes don’t often match their current needs.
The center is located in the Weston community in the old Ford Building at 1115 Bexar Avenue West. Hours of operation are Thursdays, from 9-11 a.m. A photo identification is required, but there are no income restrictions for those served by the center.
The director is J.J. Headrick, who has been handling this role since 2015. She has been a volunteer at various times with the center since 1996.
The center relies completely on donations from the community to provide aid back into the community.
Headrick said the center is mostly supported by three churches: Hamilton Methodist Church, Fulton Bridge Baptist Church and Christ Community Fellowship.   
“We do have other churches in the area who also help at times,” she said. “Some will bring in blankets in the winter or hold coat drives.”
She noted the center also receives requests for help, as well as provides assistance,

when possible, through other local agencies they work with, such as the Community Action Agency, the Department of Human Resources and Safeplace.
“We also work with several addiction programs, because when people come out of these programs, they usually don’t have anything,” she said. “We can help them with furniture and household goods.  
“Safeplace offers many resources to those leaving shelters, but we can also help pick up where they leave off and assist with additional needs.
“And we realize there are several churches who have food banks and food drives, but we are also open every week to give out food.”
At the center, the usual food allotment is one bag of food per family per month.
“Of course, if there’s an emergency, we can help,” Headrick noted. “We don’t really turn anybody down for food. If they’re hungry, we’re giving them food. We feel if people come up here, they really have a need.
“We also let people pick out what types of food they want. If you have a diabetic in the family, you can’t give them the same kind of food you give everybody else.
“We let everyone pick out what they are going to eat. If you have kids, you may want three of four cans of SpaghettiOs versus three of four cans of something else.”
Along with non-perishable items, there are also freezers and refrigerators at the center, allowing people to obtain fresh eggs, frozen chickens and frozen vegetables to help create a good meal.
The director said the center can also help individuals with utility payments, at times, with the usual cycle for assistance in this matter being once every three months.
“We can also pull in additional resources for those in dire need,” she said. “We do have other resources we work with, so we can sit down with somebody and help make some phone calls for them.”
Besides food and other types of help, Headrick noted sometimes people just need someone to share the burden they are going through.
“A lot of times, people just need somebody to talk to,” she said. “We try to treat everybody like they’re family. Except but by the grace of God, that could be any of us in need.
“Some people tell me, ‘I didn’t even know you were still operating.’ And I’ll say, ‘That’s good. That means things have been going well for you.’”

Majority of
applicants are older
senior citizens
Headrick said the majority of the center’s applicants are older senior citizens.
“We have a lot of elderly people,” she noted. “They’re on fixed incomes, and with the way groceries and everything else has gone up, it’s harder on them.
“There are a lot of programs going on for a lot of people, but the elderly are sometimes left out. So, that’s kind of where our heart is.
“We do want to help everybody, though. A lot of people don’t want anybody to know they

come by here. We don’t tell people who we serve.”
Regarding older seniors who are struggling with financial and health issues, Headrick also remarked on their incredible strength and resilience.
“Elderly people are able to make it,” she said. “Most of them have worked and been through hard times, and things like that. But if we can ever help them--we want to.”
Regarding assistance with clothing and household items, Headrick said the center allows individuals to get clothes and needed household goods every 60 days at no cost.
The allotment for clothing is four pieces of attire per person.
“If you have four people in the family, you can get 16 pieces,” she explained. “But it does not have to be size specific. If you find 16 pieces for your husband, or your child or someone else, that’s also allowed.
“Four pieces a person is just a guideline, and we’re not too strict with the guidelines.”
If applicants need more clothing before their 60 days are up, they can also buy items from the center’s thrift store--which is also open to all--for usually $1 apiece.
Some items are free. Students needing a suit or a sports coat for prom can get a free one from the center. Nursing students can get free scrubs.
“Our blue jeans go fast, but they don’t wear out quickly, and they’re usually $1 apiece. We also have shoes, toiletry items and personal hygiene items.”
Concerning the supplies available at the center, Headrick said they are grateful to be able to help provide certain items not covered by food stamps.
“You can’t use food stamps for household items,” she explained. “If you go to a food bank and they give you washing powder, you’re probably going to use it to wash dishes, your clothes, your hair and your skin--because that’s a luxury. Shampoo is a luxury.
“And you can’t buy toilet paper, either, with food stamps. But I think that’s a necessity, so we try to give toilet paper out.”
There are some furniture items available at the center, along with a rack of books--which she noted are very popular--and even an assortment of free toys. She said people also really like VHS players and tapes.

‘A heart for this job’
Headrick said she and the other center volunteers all want to help everyone who needs a helping hand.
“We all have a heart for this job,” she noted. “We’re also so very appreciative of the community’s help. We really wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the community. We appreciate the people who trust us with their resources.
“We try to be responsible, but at the same time, be Christlike. If somebody comes down here, no matter what their situation is, we want to help. We’re not here to judge anybody. We just want to be a help to everybody.
“There’s a whole lot of people in our area who want to help others, but they don’t know where to help. We operate strictly off of donations, so if you are looking for a good cause to donate to, please consider making the Christian Center of Concern your charity of choice or adding the center to your contribution list.”
Headrick said individuals, churches, groups, organizations and businesses can donate money, clothing, household furnishings and non-perishable food items, as well as toiletries to the center.
Donors can obtain a tax receipt from the non-profit organization and claim their donations on their taxes.
Monetary donations may be mailed to the center at P.O. Box 973, Hamilton, AL 35570.
Headrick said other types of donations may be dropped off during operating hours on Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. Donations are not accepted when the center is closed.
“We take most of our donations when we’re open,” she said. “But you can also contact us through Facebook Messenger at ‘Christian Center’ to arrange a different time, if necessary, to meet us to drop off a donation.”

Volunteers
welcomed
Besides the Hamilton High School Junior Civitan Club (see sidebar story), Headrick said she’s also had other youth groups volunteer. All types of volunteers from all age groups are welcomed. The center currently has six volunteers, mostly retired senior citizens.
Headrick noted the center also works with a probation officer to help people obtain their community service hours.
“If someone wants to come out and just volunteer, or if you have a youth group or you need community service, come and see us,” she said.
Anyone in the community who wishes to organize food drives or other types of donation drives for the center, is also encouraged to contact them.
“Patsy Fikes, a HHS English teacher, who will soon retire, has been one of our biggest donor organizers for many years,” the director noted. “She has organized food drives for us for a very long time, and we’d like to acknowledge her.”
Headrick made a final plea to those needing help and not knowing where to turn.
“If you need help, we’re here to help,” she said. “Jesus didn’t put restrictions on anyone He helped, and neither do we.”
The local Christian Center of Concern has long been known as “the hands and feet of Jesus.” It’s clear this tradition is continuing with the current administration and volunteers.