Photo by Mike Rosier/Publisher

Ann Hutchins helped to lead a local effort to aid impoverished children in Kentucky.

JOHNSTON - The downtrodden children of Lynch, Kentucky, who are fortunate enough to own a pair of shoes are often only marginally better off than those who don't even have them at all.

One story tells of a little girl cramming her feet into a worn old pair for so long the shape of her feet became altered because of the effort.

Then, after being provided with a brand new pair of shoes, the little girl returned to school the next day wearing the exact same pair of confined, noose-like shoes on.

When asked why she was still wearing the old pair of shoes, the little girl revealed that she had given them to her sister instead because - in her words - her sister needed the pair of shoes even more. The devastating reality behind this little girl's story is that she is not alone.

There are many, many more stories just like hers.

The area is a part of Appalachia which has been devastated by mine closings, drugs and, perhaps most of all - little hope.
Ann Hutchins has seen the desperation with her own eyes.

She travelled to the town this past fall as part of an outreach group from Phillipi Baptist Church in Johnston. What they found collectively left them as heartbroken individuals for the people there.
The group included Rev. Mayhew and Marianne West, Marshall and Beverly McGee, Ashley McGee (medical team), Gary and Louanne Gilley, Terri, Vickie and Libby Timmerman, Wayne and Melanie Rosier, Linda Crisco, Sandra Bledsoe, Tara Parkman (medical team), Hutchins and her granddaughter Brittany.

Hutchins says one little boy - looking a little malnourished - walked over to her table and began looking at small piece of embossed wood which read "I Love Jesus" on one side and "I (heart symbol) Jesus" on the opposite side.

The boy stared at the piece with a bewildered look on his face.

Then Hutchins realized the problem - the little boy couldn't read.

"What does that say when a little boy who is 8 or 9 years old can't read something like that?" Hutchins asks. "And that was just one example. There were all kinds of children there just like that."

Their gift packets (some 500 of which were handed out) included toiletries, booklets and a salvation bracelet. There was also phone number included in case someone had questions or needed further assistance.

Hutchins knew right then and there that she would strive to do even more in the weeks ahead.

The Incredible Need

Hutchins said the church group had received information through Meridzo Center Ministries (a longtime church ministry outreach in the area, www.meridzo.com) concerning many students (around 200 to 300 kids) who did not have food to eat on the weekends. A new program - "Sacks of Love" - was being implemented to provide children with a backpack filled with food they can prepare themselves when they are away from school - and the regular meals they receive there.

The children are provided with the backpacks of food on either Thursday or Friday afternoons and the backpacks are then returned the following week.

Also, the Resource Center working with the schools stated the obvious need for new shoes for the students, as many children are in desperate need of properly fitting shoes (like the aforementioned little girl and her sister). The center recognizes the needs and fits children with a pair of shoes through donations.

The Community Response

On December 13th, 2008, Hutchins and her husband, Ken, held their annual charity Christmas Drop-In. The event (now in its 5th year) has grown in popularity as guests are invited to come and enjoy the "Taste of Homes" as delicious foods were prepared by Diane Yonce, Sharon Davis, Tara Parkman, Terri Hutchins, Juli Corley, Cecilia Rodriquez and the hosts.

The event has benefited various causes such as Katrina victims and a boys home.

There was never a doubt as to where this year's aid - always geared toward children - would go.

Guests were asked to bring a "new" pair of shoes for the children of Lynch, Kentucky, or to supply a gift card which could then be used to purchase food to be included in the "Sacks of Love" program.

They responded overwhelmingly as the generosity of the community brought in well over 100 pairs of new shoes and more than a $1,000 in donations for the "Sacks of Love" program.

"I would like to personally thank each and every person who has contributed to the needs of these children," Hutchins said. "We are blessed with a community who always responds to those in need. Thank you for your continued support year after year."

More Support is Needed

As the "Sacks of Love" program continues to expand into other schools in the Lynch area, more donations of food, back packs and of course, shoes, will be needed.

Food items needed include canned meats (in pop-top cans) such as Vienna sausage, potted meat or tuna, Beanie Weenies (in pop-top cans), individual cans of fruit, peanut butter and cheese crackers, small bags of chips or cookies, granola breakfast bars and pop tarts, individual boxes of cereal, small boxes of raisins, small bags of nuts, juice boxes, milk boxes, pudding cups and Ramen noodles.

For additional information, or to learn how you can help, please contact Judy Caulder (803-438-1400/803-243-4203) or Shirley Johnson (606-848-0092).

Monetary donations may be sent in care of Meridzo Center Ministries, P.O. Box 425, Lynch, KY, 40855.

Also, please specify where you would like your donation to be applied - for the "Sacks of Love" program or the program to provide new shoes.