With community support, GCAM provides helping hand during a true crisis

Gonzales Christian Assistance Ministry (GCAM) helps more than 480 individuals in need in Gonzales County alone, and recently received some extra help from some very kind and generous businesses just in time for Easter.

Betty Fussner, executive director of GCAM, is happy to know that good people are helping them help those who are in less fortunate situations … and not a moment too soon.

“H-E-B has worked with GCAM for quite awhile now,” Fussner says. “The night before they transitioned to their new store, they contacted us and said they had 100 boxes of food for us. We quickly discovered that equaled $16,000 worth of food.”

H-E-B provided GCAM with an abundance of fresh produce, dairy products, frozen meats and canned veggies.

”You name it, they gave it,” Fussner beams.

Unfortunately, when GCAM took their gifts home, one of their freezers gave out.

“We suddenly had to get rid of that whole freezer-full so it wouldn’t go to waste,” Fussner says. “So we decided that a lot of the elderly citizens who are on a fixed income would best benefit from that, and much of it went to them.

“Sadly, there are people out there who abuse the system,” Fussner said. “Since I’ve been with GCAM, we’ve been able to identify those people and sever our ties with them. As a result, we were able to provide three times more food than we’ve ever given. In doing this, the more we give, the more we get – by the grace of God alone.”

The folks at Walmart also showed their generous side by endowing GCAM with precious funds for vital sustenance.

“I put in for a donation, asking for $1,000,” Fussner says. “They gave us that, which we used to buy food. Two days later, out of the blue, they gave us another $1,000 in the form of a ‘feeding the hungry’ program they have. That was a wonderful gift.”

Yoakum’s Accolade Homecare was happy to help as well.

“They gave us $300 and 2,080 lbs. of ham and turkeys,” Fussner says. “Most people come in at the beginning or end of the month. With Easter coming up, they get their regular food, plus the ham to go with their Easter dinner. Accolade was great, because they helped us help these people have a good holiday dinner.”

GCAM also accepts clothing items, and offers help with utility bills for those in need.

“We can provide up to $50 for those who need help paying utilities,” Fussner says.

“We want the Gonzales community to know that GCAM was created to help with what we call ‘true crisis’,” Fussner says. “That means losing your job, losing everything in a house fire or having a very low income that doesn’t cover basic needs. It’s sad that certain people abuse the system, and they need to consider those out there who really need help.”

Fussner can’t help but lament that there are people who unlawfully dispose of unusable items, almost treating the GCAM premises as if it were a dumping ground.

“We ask that people only donate items that can be re-used,” she said. “People drop off torn and broken couches, and we have to pay someone to take this stuff away.”

All in all, Fussner emphasizes the importance of people helping people as a unifying concept – in this case, a like-minded community that knows to not only receive, but to extend its appreciation by giving back to itself.

“We ask that the people we assist help us in return,” she says. “We’re always looking for volunteers, and we believe that giving back is a true expression of appreciation. People doing whatever they can for each other is what a community should be all about.

“It’s definitely what GCAM is all about.”