Wanda English Burnett
Editor

A little seed was planted in the heart of Jane Williams of Versailles, that has now blossomed providing needed items many families cannot otherwise get.

The Back Door Friends in Faith, BDFF, a new ministry provided through the Tyson United Methodist Church, was begun after Williams worked as a volunteer at the Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry in Osgood.

“People could get food there, but they needed so much more,” Williams told the Osgood Journal. She volunteered at the food pantry for several years, and still works closely with organizers there to help meet the needs of people in the Jac-Cen-Del and South Ripley school districts.

As Williams sat down with Cathy Purdy, another lady in the congregation at Tyson UMC who saw a need, together they came up with the name for the mission.

Williams said they talked about how neighbors would often run next door - to the back door - to borrow a cup of sugar.
“People coming to the BDFF won’t be getting sugar, but they will be getting some sweet treatment. The group’s mission is to give out non-edible items once a month. They have a variety of paper products, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene items not allowed for on the food stamp program or at many food pantries that typically only distribute food.

“We saw this as a great need,” Williams said.

The mission is located in the house next to the church in Versailles and has now been open for three months.
At first they relied heavily on the local church family for supplies for the mission. But, as the needs became more apparent (tripling from the first month to the second) they realized they would have to ask for additional help.
Tri-Kappa is one of the organizations that recently came forward with $400 for BDFF. “We want to challenge other groups to give,” noted Patsy Holdsworth, as she presented a check to Williams.

Tri-Kappa also gave $400 to the Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry, Ripley County Food Bank and the Milan Food Pantry.

While the BDFF is primarily for the South Ripley and JCD school districts, no one will be turned away one time, according to Williams.

The next distribution date will be Saturday, December 18 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m and from 2-3 p.m.

Those who would like to donate either items or money may do so by contacting Williams at the church at 689-6976 or at 689-5263.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO Jane Williams, left, on behalf of Back Door Friends in Faith, accepts a check from Patsy Holdsworth, representing Tri Kappa, for $400 for the new mission. Tri Kappa challenges other organizations to also give. They presented checks for $400 to Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry in Osgood, the Ripley County Food Bank and Milan Food Pantry. "We really appreciate this," Williams said.

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