Christian Social Ministries is finding new ways to meet growing needs in our community while working alongside other local organizations. CSM founder John Long shares how they are shifting food distribution efforts, supporting the Statesboro Food Bank, and putting more resources toward emergency assistance and a new thrift store.
Christian Social Ministries is making some important changes to better meet local needs while working alongside other nonprofit organizations serving the Statesboro and Bulloch County community.
“The Statesboro Food Bank is doing an outstanding job meeting the food needs in our community,” shared John Long, founder of Christian Social Ministries. “Since they’ve opened, our Monday food distribution has gone from 130 to 150 bags down to 35, 40, or 50 bags.”
This change has led CSM to shift from regular weekly food distributions to providing emergency food assistance only while focusing more of its resources on other ministries, particularly its emergency utility assistance program.
“We’re going to get behind the Statesboro Food Bank and offer our support instead of trying to replicate what’s already taking place. We want to come alongside them and assist them because there have been several times throughout the year when their shelves have been empty,” Long continued. “They’re doing a great job, and we want to get in there with them and support what they’re doing.”
CSM’s regular Monday food distribution will end, but the organization’s food pantry is not closing. CSM will continue to provide emergency food assistance to families who have an immediate need.
Long said the closure of TMT Farms’ Christmas lights display, which previously supplied about 90% of the food distributed through CSM, was part of this decision as well.
At the same time, CSM is seeing a sharp increase in requests for utility assistance, with monthly assistance growing from approximately $3,500 to $10,000 in emergency distributions.
For CSM, utility assistance extends far beyond traditional utility bills. CSM helps local families with needs including medication costs, vehicle tires and repairs, wheelchair ramps, and other essential expenses.
“We want to be able to continue to meet the needs in our community,” Long said.
To help fund that work, CSM will turn the warehouse that housed its food pantry into another thrift store at 31 North Zetterower Avenue. The location will open November 1, 2026, as a Christmas store before transitioning into a larger thrift store after the holiday season.
CSM also continues its shoe ministry with Bulloch County Schools, providing new shoes for students identified by school counselors and caseworkers as needing them.
The organization is also partnering with the Blue Mile Committee on this year’s “TMT in Town” food drive. From December 1 through Christmas Day, nonperishable food donations will be collected at downtown businesses.
CSM volunteers will provide collection boxes and will pick up the donations and take them to the Statesboro Food Bank.
For Long, the changes are about finding the best way for local organizations to work together to meet the community’s needs.
As Christian Social Ministries moves into this next chapter, the goal remains the same: working together to meet the needs of people in our community and finding new ways to share the love of Christ through service.
“We’re just all going to work together in our community to meet the needs of those who are less fortunate and in need of food and other assistance,” Long said. “We look forward to what we’re able to do together in the future.”
For updates about Christian Social Ministries, its new thrift store, and ways to support its work in the community, visit the organization’s Facebook page.
