In continual benevolent service to our community, we have annually address unmet needs of homeless and needy families in the city of Columbus and vicinity.  Due to a declining economy, job lost and home foreclosures, the food needs of many of our citizens have significantly increased .  As people of faith, we are compelled to respond to this challenge with even greater commitment.

In years past, we have relied on our late brother, the Reverend Irving Curtis Sowell, (former) Pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church in Columbus , who faithfully served as coordinator of this program since its inception. In autumn 2008, the Baptist Ministerial Alliance re- named this program in Pastor Sowell‘s honor—Irving C. Sowell Benevolent Christmas Program for Needy & Homeless Families (ICSBP). 

Rev. Charles Tatum, Pastor of the Good Shepherd Baptist Church (in Columbus) is the current coordinator of ICSBP: 500 food baskets were assembled and disbursed to the public at  two locations on Saturday, 20 December 2008 – Mount Period Missionary Baptist Church, located at 462 Kimball Place and Good Shepherd Baptist Church (on the corner of Hudson and Cleveland Avenue). This effort was supported by the following, services, grants/donations and volunteers:
 

• United Parcel Service (Mr. Joe Graessle)
  5101 Trabue Road
  Columbus, Ohio   43228
• Rev. Richard Davis
• Diehl-Whittaker Funeral Service
  720 E Long Street
  Columbus , OH 43203
  Phone: (614) 258-9549
• Tabernacle Baptist Church (Site of  Special Worship Service for ICSBP  on 30 November 2008)
  Rev. Odell Waller, Pastor
  2188 Woodward Ave
  Columbus, OH 43219
  Phone: (614)253-6707
• Mrs. Eddie Mae Sowell  and Irving Curtis Sowell  Family members
  Mount Period Missionary Baptist Church staff and member volunteers
  Good Shepherd  Missionary Baptist Church staff and member volunteers
• The Kroger Company, City of Columbus
• Meat Packers Outlet Co
  317 S 5th St
  Columbus, OH 43215
  Phone: (614) 469-1720
• Arena Produce Co., Inc
  Ms. Bill Lytle, Sales Representative
  (Wholesale Fresh Fruits & Vegetables)
  875 Reynolds Avenue
  Columbus OH 43201
  Phone: (614) 299-4571

We thank all of these volunteers and business entities for every effort  contributed.  We look forward to even great needs meet this coming autumn 2009, as we prayerfully and faithfully work to continue this program.   To Make a Donation to the Irving C. Sowell Benevolent Christmas Program for Needy & Homeless Families,   mail check or money order to:

Baptist Ministerial Alliance of Columbus & Vicinity
C/O Mount Period Missionary Baptist Church
462 Kimball Place, Columbus OH 43205
Email: ContactUs@bmacv.net
Telephone: (614) 252-2701  Fax: (614) 252-4099
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 247382, Columbus OH 43224-7382
(Donation for 2009  Irving C. Sowell Benevolent Christmas Program: Tax Exempt ID # 13-4355986)