Lisa Holt started Feed My Lambs in August of 1999 and has been serving the community ever since. She has been the leader and supporter and made Feed My Lambs into what it is today. This is her story of how Feed My Lambs was started:
As long as I can remember, I have had a heart for people that are hurting. Life is sometimes very cruel and many people are damaged physically, emotionally and spiritually at some point in their lives. I am drawn like a magnet to these people because I can relate to them. I want to be able to help them on many levels, but most of all I want to offer them the hope that I possess in Jesus Christ.
In the mid 1990’s, God gave me a vision that would allow me to help needy people through a food and clothing ministry. I was very excited about what God wanted me to do, but I was also aware of the many obstacles that would be ahead. In order to start a food and clothing ministry, I would have to be willing to commit 100% of my time. I was willing to commit, but I was working 48-56 hours a week providing over half of the family income and health insurance and also had 2 children and a husband.
My husband and I were fortunate in 1999, to be able to go on a mission trip to Honduras that was offered through my church. It was life changing for both of us and only fueled by desire for full-time ministry. God would have to work a miracle in order for my husband to have peace about me quitting my full-time job. Eventually God did grant us the peace of mind; with that and taking a huge leap of faith, I quit my job.
Feed My Lambs Inc. was birthed out of the basement of my church where I accepted clothing donations on Saturdays. This went on for several weeks while we were searching for a building to set up shop. We became an official Incorporation in August 1999. Our first Board of Directors consisted of my pastor, Jim Marshall, from Wade Christian fellowship, Dexter Wilson from Red Hill Baptist Church, Rick Brittingham of Pentecostal Holiness Church and myself. Rick Brittingham’s wife actually came up with the name “Feed My Lambs” taken from the Bible in John 21:15.
In October 1999, we found a small general store outside of town that we were able to rent for $225.00 a month. We accepted donations of gently used clothing and household items which we sold at bargain prices in order to pay the rent and telephone bill. Any extra money was used to purchase food. At this time, only a few churches in the area were supporting our ministry. We were supported with monthly financial donations and food collections. Many people volunteered their time and efforts to help get Feed My Lambs off the ground.
By December 2000, Feed My Lambs had outgrown the building we were renting and we moved to Hwy 74 East in Wadesboro. We rented half of the building and Aerobics Plus, a fitness center, rented the other half. Our rent jumped from $250.00 to $600.00 a month. Each month we depended on God to supply our financial needs. We were more visible in this new building; therefore, more people came for assistance. Our donations and sales really began to increase. The food pantry grew tremendously and Feed My Lambs was approved to shop at the Second Harvest Food Bank where we were able to purchase food by the pound at a highly reduced price. Feed My Lambs continued to grow; we had more customers and clients and needed lots of volunteers. It was quite an exciting time for us!
In June 2001, as Executive Director of Feed My Lambs, I began drawing a salary of $300.00 per month. In October 2001, we were able to begin paying one of our volunteers for 40 hours per month, even though the time invested went well above the 40 hours.
In June 2002, Aerobics Plus moved and we rented the whole building (3900 square feet) for $1200.00 per month. The extra room was very much needed and every inch was utilized. We were very thankful the ministry was making such an impact on our county. Many people were helped through tough times by receiving food and clothing when they most needed it. A database was created of all clients which became helpful when faced with the sad fact that some would try to abuse the system.
From the beginning, Feed My Lambs was held to a high standard as to the quality of clothing and household items offered for sale. Many people that patronized the thrift store would comment on how well organized and clean our thrift ministry appeared.
In trying to learn all that I could about running a non-profit organization, I visited a similar type of ministry, Stanly County Christian Ministry, in Albemarle, N.C. What a blessing their directors were in giving me all types of advice and pointers especially when it came to paperwork. I had no idea that there was money available in Anson County with good success. We did a fundraiser each year to obtain the “Matching Grant” money from Walmart. We also received money from FEMA.
In 2006, the building we were renting was put up for sale. The board members did not want to purchase the building, so once again, we were looking for a new home and once again God provided in a big way. We rented an old Ford car dealership that was much bigger for the same monthly rent. It was on the opposite side of town, but the move proved to be a positive venture. We had great parking for clients and customers, areas of privacy when interviewing clients, and lots of room for storage and anticipated growth. Wally Thomas, owner of the building, made a huge impact on our ministry. The relationship with Mr. Thomas was something only God could have provided and his generosity has known no bounds.