CHARLOTTE, N.C., December 12, 2019 – Listeners of regional Christian radio station The Light FM donated enough money on Dec. 10 to provide 70,652 meals to residents of rescue missions through the station’s second annual “Hope to the Hungry” campaign. The Light FM partnered with eight local rescue missions in order to raise money to feed those in need during this Christmas season.
The station dedicated a day to promoting the campaign at no cost to the rescue missions, reminding listeners that for just $2 they could provide a warm, life-changing meal as well as care to someone in need. The flood of responses showed how much the community cares for its residents.
“Most people want to help, but they just don’t know how,” said John Owens, general manager of The Light FM. “Our ‘Hope to the Hungry’ campaign gave The Light FM listeners a chance to tangibly help a local Christ-centered rescue mission in their own backyard. Isaiah 58:10 says, ‘If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.’ Our prayer is that together, our listeners, our staff and the rescue missions are able to live this out.”
In an initiative referred to as “give where you live,” listeners had the option to choose a specific rescue mission to which they donated. Every dollar donated was directly given to one of these eight rescue missions:
Charlotte Rescue Mission – Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, N.C./S.C.
Cleveland County Rescue Mission – Shelby, N.C.
Haywood Pathways Center – Waynesville, N.C.
Hendersonville Rescue Mission – Hendersonville, N.C.
Knoxville Dream Center – Knoxville, Tenn.
Safe Harbor – Hickory, N.C.
Salvation Army of Greenville – Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries – Asheville, N.C.
Throughout the campaign, on-air hosts shared with listeners stories from people in need. One woman said of the rescue mission, “There were several points where I didn’t know where I was going to get my next meal and I was seven-and-a-half months pregnant…but when I found out about the mission and that they serve food, I’ve been here ever since for a year. I am recovered. I have my babies back. I have a house. I’m getting a car. I have a job. I’m going to school. I’m not hungry anymore. If it wasn’t for me coming here, I don’t know where I’d be.”
About The Light FM:
A listener supported ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, The Light FM seeks to serve its listeners with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through encouraging music, relevant Bible teaching and support of ministry outreach at home and abroad. The Light FM’s flagship station, 106.9 WMIT, has the nation’s 12th largest FM radio coverage area, reaching portions of seven states including the cities of Charlotte, N.C.; Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.; the Tri-Cities of Tenn. and Va.; Hickory, N.C.; and Asheville, N.C. The Light FM is also heard in Knoxville, Tenn. on 106.7 FM; in Winston-Salem, N.C. on 94.9 FM, and in Franklin, N.C. on 101.3 FM. The Light FM can be heard globally at www.TheLightFM.org, via its smartphone apps for iPhones and Android and on Amazon Echo, Tap and Google smart speakers. For a listing of additional frequencies, visit here.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Karis Kindinger
(704) 401-2516
kkindinger@bgea.org