Extreme Impact On Salt & Light

On August 18, 2009, at approximately 10:00 a.m., the landscape of Salt & Light was forever altered. "GOOD MORNING MONTGOMERY FAMILY!" echoed off of the warehouse walls from Ty Pennington's megaphone to our ears. We could scarcely imagine how transfixed our community would be as Extreme Makeover Home Edition walked into our lives. Little could we fathom the impact that Extreme Makeover Home Edition would have on Salt & Light, the ministry we have devoted ourselves to over the past six years.

Leading up to that incredible morning when Ty, Michael, Johnny, and Didi showed up, we had discussed the potential impact something like this could have, but it did not take long before we realized we had underestimated just how grand it would be. The facelift they gave to the building itself was amazing! From new light fixtures, a much-needed paint job, and new freezers and refrigeration in the warehouse to completely refurbishing my office, our waiting area, and the multi-purpose room where we hold our services; everything had a completely different feel when you walked through the doors.

The physical changes were really just the beginning. Through the combined efforts of the show, the builder Brady Homes, and the rest of the community, multiple semi-loads of food were collected to be distributed through our food pantry, and over $50,000 was raised to further our work. This was all done while they were building our new home, which along with the "family story" is typically the focal point of the show. Once exposed to the work being done at Salt & Light, Extreme Makeover Home Edition quickly realized they wanted to increase their focus on the ministry.

Everything that was done for Salt & Light during that week was a tremendous blessing, and we can never thank everyone enough for their involvement. Probably the more lasting effect, though, is the awareness that was created in our community about the work that we do, and the ways in which people can partner with us in that work. We could have spent decades laboring in our neighborhoods and still not created the level of awareness that now exists as the product of one extraordinary week. For this increased exposure we are forever grateful!

Prior to the week of filming that took place, our food pantry served an average of about 240 families every week handing out just over 40,000 pounds of food per month. So far this year, we have served an average of 387 families per week and handed out over 425,000 pounds of food so far in 2010. This is testimony to the fact that awareness has been raised not just about the work we do, but about the great need that exists. With the help of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Brady Homes, and the wonderful volunteers from our area, the page has been turned on our work at Salt & Light. Now, it is up to us, to each of us, to write the next chapter.

THANK YOU!

Because of your generosity, the 1st Annual Salt & Light Can-less Food Drive has been a HUGE success. Thanks also to the over 260 local businesses who partnered with us in this effort to raise funds to purchase groceries for those in need from the Eastern IL Food Bank for about 10 cents on the dollar. To God be the glory!

Our mission is to share the love of God by helping those in need.

1 John 3:17-18 states: “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”  

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