May 14, 2009

Ministry kicks off $7 million capital campaign

By Leslie Boyd

Promising an “explosive” event, Western Carolina Rescue Ministries kicked off the public portion of its $7 million capital campaign Wednesday morning.

The Rev. Vic Howard, CEO of the ministry, said the organization is stepping out on faith to raze an old building and build a new one that will allow it to serve almost twice as many people.

The explosion came at the end of the event, when a dozen confetti-filled balloons inside a large canopy were popped as the unsuspecting crowd stood underneath.

The ministry serves about 100 homeless people each night — 70 men and 30 women and children. It also has a substance-abuse program that serves 20 people, and it distributes about 250 boxes of food each month to families in need.

The current two buildings date back to the 1920s and were warehouses before the ministry took them over. The plan calls for a larger building to be erected where one of the buildings is now. When it is finished, the other building will be demolished and the lot will become green space, Howard said.

The Rev. David Spray, executive director of resource development, said he thinks the community will step up and give the money the ministry needs. So far the campaign has raised about $4 million.

“If the economy is tough for us, think about how it is for the people we serve,” Spray said.

Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy said the ministry is “a great example of how to care for people.”

“It is the very picture of servant-driven ministry,” she said.