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Shelter officials say the two-decade-plus old ministry has been feeding and sheltering more than 300 people nightly. That’s about 9,000-plus nights of shelter and almost 10,000 meals a month A few years ago, Joy Junction fed and cared for around 150 people a night. Now that number is regularly over 300 people nightly, and showing no signs of decreasing even in these hot summer days. All the extra meals have put a serious strain on the shelter’s food supplies. Some refrigerator and freezer shelves just don’t have the supplies left to feed all the shelter guests who rely on Joy Junction for their next meal. Joy Junction Founder and CEO Dr. Jeremy Reynalds said, “I got an e-mail from our kitchen manager this morning. It read, “We need ground beef, pork, chicken, eggs, sugar, sliced ham and turkey, sliced and bulk cheese, as well as salad items.” He added, “We also need breakfast drinks, fruit of any kind, syrup, breakfast meats like bacon and sausage and cold cereal.” Another item of great concern to both the shelter kitchen manager and Reynalds is the shelter’s depleted supply of items for “sack” suppers – the meals given to late arrivals at Joy Junction as well as those individuals who for whatever reason are unable to stay at the shelter. Reynalds said among other items needed for the sack suppers are chips, fruit, snack items and luncheon meats. Reynalds said he is hoping generous friends in the community will help replenish the shelter’s food cupboards. Donations can be bought down to the shelter’s South Valley location at 4500 Second Street SW. In addition, the shelter is fast running out of space. Reynalds said, “The increase in need shows no signs of going away. We need to be looking at the possibility of increasing the numbers of those whom we can help.” An ability to expand, Reynalds said, would of course depend on the community’s willingness to support such a move. Joy Junction does not receive government support of any kind. Reynalds attributed the continued increase in Joy Junction’s numbers to a number of issues, including a difficult economy with sky- rocketing prices of essential items plunging more people on the edge into need, and an increased awareness among the needy that the faith-based philosophy which characterizes Joy Junction really does work. “People are looking for answers,” Reynalds said. “And while not in any way decrying professional therapeutic help, the best answer we have for those gripped by depression, substance abuse or whatever need they may be experiencing is the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ.” He added, “It is because of Him that we are seeing lives changed and transformed on a daily basis at Joy Junction. Once they have found hope, people are becoming productive members of the community again, and I believe they are telling others about their experience.”
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