About CAM

Support for the community by the community.

CAM Christian Action Ministries was organized in 1984, when providing a central location for food distribution was identified as a pressing need. Each month more than 800 families come to CAM pantries in Branson and Forsyth for assistance. And an average of more than 40,000 food items are distributed to Taney County families.

Mission Statement

Christian Action Ministries is a non-denominational local organization that is dedicated to providing caring assistance, in Christ's name, to people experiencing temporary crisis.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to help people obtain the basic resources of food; to encourage self-sufficiency and independence, and bring together the caring communities religious, business, and individual for meeting these needs.

The Board & Staff

Board Members

Jack Burke, Chairman

Jonas Arjes, Vice Chairman

Dave Hoy, Treasurer

Larry Johnson, Chairman Emeritus

Pat Davis
Ben Dutton
Tim Mahoney
Dan Lehning
Cynthia Carson
Janet Akers

Staff

Pat Davis - Executive Director director@christianactionministries.org

Marion Lewis - Pantry Supervisor mlewis@christianactionministries.org

Neva Battey - Receptionist

2009 Statistics

In 2009, CAM provided needed food and resources to 5,881 families, totaling 14,817 individuals.

This represents increases of 34% over 2008, 39% over 2007, 50% over 2006. The first two months of 2010 were already exceeding the same period in 2009 by 46%.

Families requesting help for the first time accounted for 25% of our 2009 distribution.

Volunteers

Each day, hunger is experienced in every community across this country. In fact, our organization feeds over 500 neighbors each month. Ending hunger in America and this community depends on the volunteer work of literally millions of Americans who know that they can make a difference. Won't you make a difference for your community? There are as many different ways to volunteer, as there are individuals. Give us a call today and find out what you can do to help this great community.

Some Hunger Facts

Hunger in the United States has been dramatically increasing in the past two years. The USDA reports that 17 million households (14.6%) experienced food insecurity in 2008. This is an increase from 13 million households in 2007. The 2008 figures represent the highest levels of food insecurity observed since the USDA food surveys were instituted in 1995. The report also indicates that one-third of these households had very low food security.

According to the USDA, ten states exhibited statistically significant higher household food insecurity rates than the national average of 12.2%. The top six included Missouri:

            1. Mississippi 17.4%
            2. Texas 16.3%
            3. Arkansas 15.9%
            4. Georgia 14.2%
            5. New Mexico 14.1%
            6. Missouri 14.0%

Poverty

More than one in eight people in the United States lives below the poverty line, which is $21,756 for a family of four in 2009. One in five children in the United States lives below the poverty line. Source: Income, Earnings, and Poverty data from the 2008 American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau, 2009.

Most Americans (51.4 percent) will live in poverty at some point before age 65. Source: Urban Institute, Transitioning In and Out of Poverty, 2007.

84 percent of low-income families have at least one working family member, and 75 percent of single mothers who head households work. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2007.

In most areas, a family of four needs to earn twice the poverty line to provide children with basic necessities. Source: National Center for Children in Poverty, 2008.

Nationally, more than 30 percent of children live in low-income working families (families who earn less than twice the poverty line). Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007, compiled by the Working Poor Families Project.

Our Leaders

Message From CAM Executive Director

Pat Davis

Twenty-five years ago eleven churches shared their thoughts, charity, love, and efforts to organize a food pantry to serve Taney County. From that effort evolved CAM Food Pantry (Christian Action Ministries). The organization has survived and flourished these many years because of the generosity of people, businesses, churches, and organizations within our community.

2009 was a challenging year for everyone financially. Tourism was down slightly, which meant people were laid off their jobs earlier than expected. The needs of people were impacted by the situation nationally and locally. Donations were expected to be less, and yet the community stepped up to meet the needs of our clients. Donated food, monetary donations, and generous volunteers help in making CAM an effective organization with Taney County.

We look forward to a positive transition in 2010 with a renewed energy to regain focus on our core organization. Over the years, we have become involved in rental, utilities, and prescription assistance with results a little less than excellent.

We will now be focused on our core objective – that of a food pantry. We give out a 3-day emergency supply of food according to the size of the family needs. We will also continue to give paper products and hygiene products as available. CAM will also continue to participate in the School Readiness Fair with our part being the Clothe-A-Child program. That program will distribute vouchers to registered children for a suit of clothes to start school. The program is sponsored and supported by donations from churches, individuals, and grants.

In this silver anniversary year CAM appreciates all who have and continue to donate food, money, time, and information to make this organization a viable assistance to our clients. We continue to pledge our support and care to serve others with dignity, respect, and love, as taught by our Lord. We see daily miracles in the lives of people and situations as we are led by Christ.

Thank you again for 25 years in this community. Thank you for your continued support of Christian Action Ministries to meet the needs of our clients in Christ-like love.

With much gratitude,

Pat Davis