Ministerial Alliance of El Dorado Springs, and Ministerial Alliance of Stockton
As part of the Festival, each year West Central honors outstanding organizations that go “above and beyond” to serve the community.
Our special recognition this year at Festival of Charity are two organizations in Cedar County, the Stockton Ministerial Alliance and the El Dorado Springs Ministerial Alliance. Each of these organizations will receive a $500 contribution to support their work.
El Dorado Springs Ministerial Alliance
The El Dorado Springs Ministerial Alliance currently includes representatives from eight churches. Community work includes support of the Hope Center Community Food Pantry, which serves 100 families weekly and provides commodities to 125 families. They also support the community Diaper Pantry, and provide on-going assistance to individuals and families for emergency needs. The group continues to look for new ministry opportunities, and have plans to add the “Garden of Hope” next year in partnership with the El Dorado Springs FFA Chapter. The new project will be a community garden to supplement foods available to the community from the Hope Center. Treasurer Chad Daniel commented, “I appreciate how the churches have come together. They all work hard to address food insecurity and to prioritize basic needs in the community.”
Stockton Ministerial Alliance
The Stockton Ministerial Alliance includes representatives from eight churches. Funding for their work in the community is supported by the SAMA Thrift store, and includes the SAMA Community Food Pantry (located in the same building), and benevolence activities, such as providing emergency food, rental assistance, medical, and water/utility funds. They are also instrumental in coordinating the Stockton Back To School Fair. Michael Tunnell, President of the Alliance, said, “The Ministerial Alliance is a great way for the churches to come together in service to provide both spiritual and physical needs. Everyone works well together, and it is rewarding to be able to do this work.”