About
The Samaritan House was organized in February of 1988. Mary Coleman, Jeanette McClendon, and Rev. Ralph Jernigan, along with the Talladega Ministerial Association, played a major role in our organization. We are a non-profit corporation operating strictly by donations with no government financial assistance. Our goal is to provide food, clothing, and financial assistance for utility services to those in need.
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The demand for help increases as our funds decrease. Please look into your hearts and help others with your tax-deductible gifts for those families in need.
Jesus challenges his followers to love everyone. He knows that there are times when we are busy with life and don't want to see the suffering in the world around us, and yet, He still calls us to be faithful.
When Jesus was tested by a young lawyer (Luke 10), He confirmed that the key to eternal life is loving God with all that we have, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. When pressed about who should be considered a neighbour, Jesus does the unthinkable and names the Samaritan... the most hated enemy of the Jews of his day (this would be something like naming a member of Al-Qaeda today).
Jesus knows it will be hard for his listeners to love a Samaritan, but His challenge cuts to the heart of the Christian faith. Jesus is saying that the world is full of those we should view as our neighbours! He surely knows that there are times when, like the priest and the Levite in the story, we want to ignore what is happening around us. But the neighbour is the one who offers love and care.
At the Samaritan house, we are working to love and care for all of our neighbours. We take special care of those who have fallen on tough times because we know that we too are in need of God's grace. We need your help to continue to answer Jesus' call in Talladega.
Will you be the neighbor Jesus calls his followers to be by offering your support?
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Pastor Teddy Crum, Trinity Methodist Church
How We Work
The name of our ministry comes from Jesus's story of the good Samaritan who helps a stranger lying on the side of the road who has been beaten and left for dead. At the Samaritan House we try to meet Jesus's challenge to love and care for our neighbors who have fallen on difficult times.
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Our funding comes from local Christian-oriented churches, private businesses, and concerned individuals. We receive no state or federal money. Many donations are given as an honorarium or memorial for a friend or family member upon passing. Due to the struggling economy of the Talladega area, the demand for our help has increased over the past few years. We assist an average of 130 clients each month.
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Many of our food items are purchased from the Community Food Bank in Birmingham, but this agency is not able to supply all of our needs because of the tremendous demand they have on their food supply. Churches, schools, and civic groups are faithful in holding food drives every year to fill our pantry with canned goods.
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Food, toiletries, clothing, shoes, linens, blankets, and other household items are donated weekly. Our wonderful volunteers fill grocery orders and work in our clothing areas. Volunteers typically work 1-2 days per month, and the work is personally rewarding. We are always looking for additional volunteers to help with the Samaritan House.
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We are a 501(c)3 charitable organization and accept donations of any amount throughout the year.
FAQs
Are we government-funded?
No. Clients pay nothing for our services, and we do not receive federal assistance. All of our staff are volunteers. The majority of our funding comes from local churches and concerned individuals. We are here to help all that are in need.
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What motivates us?
We exist and are here to help. We are all volunteers. We are a ministry motivated by the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ.​ We are here to help, not condemn. Let us help you in your darkest need.
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Will we judge you?
Absolutely not! We are here for the sole purpose of helping those in need. We show compassion to our clients whenever we give. Many clients have been turned away by other agencies, telling us they felt "looked down on" by the public or treated as "sub human." We love others as God loves us. We share the plan of Salvation when there is an opportunity, giving encouragement to those working for a better life.
At our core we have a concern for the well being of those we serve. Everyone deserves to feel loved and cared for. We offer resources beyond food, utility assistance, and clothing. We offer encouragement and empathy for all God's children.
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Who do we help? What are our assistance requirements?
Most of our clients receive some form of government assistance, but we are unaffiliated with any state or federal program. Assistance is based on income according to the government poverty guidelines.
