During the next few years with the support of the Saint Anne and Saint Jude pastors, Richard contacted and met with church ministers and leaders to share ideas and experiences. The common goal was to feed the poor and help the needy and the vision was to establish an organization of Churches working together to reach that goal. At this time, Director of Santee Baptist Association, Arnold Becker, and Rabbi Schlagel from the Sumter Jewish Temple, were on board immediately. Rabbi Schlage supported the development of the charitable organization financially as well as providing a place to meet.

In December 1981, Richard and Lois Shadoan chaired a meeting at the Saint Jude Rectory for pastors of several local churches and directors of the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, the Council of the Aging, the Crisis Closet, the Department of Social Services, and other social agencies in the Sumter area. The main purpose of the meeting was to determine how this charitable organization could best coordinate with other community services to provide aid and assistance to those most in need.

Within one year, community bonds were established and the first Board of Directors of Christian Charities of Sumter was formed and the by-laws were written. The building was provided by Saint Jude Catholic Church and is still at that location today.

In January 1982, Richard and Lois sent a letter to all the Churches and social organizations in Sumter announcing the official opening date of Christian Charities. In the letter there was an explanation of the process for referrals and funding. The response was gratifying.

On February 1, 1982 the doors of Christian Charities of Sumter were opened as a result of the joint efforts of twenty-seven Protestant, two Roman Catholic Churches and a Jewish Temple.

The dedication ceremony was attended by the acting director, Richard Shadoan, and his wife, Lois, Mayor Bubba McElveen, Father George Knabb of Saint Anne Church, and many church and community leaders.

Christian Charities is a non-profit, inter-denominational and non- discriminatory program which assist needy families and individuals that are referred by participating ministers, agencies and social organizations. Originally Christian Charities provided food and financial assistance on a short term basis while working with churches and social agencies to find a long term solution for the families. At present, Christian Charities is strictly a Food Pantry. According to the last quarterly report (January, February, March 2013), Christian Charities provided food for 216 families, 316 persons, for a total of 7,584 meals.

Christian Charities is staffed by generous volunteers from local churches who operate under the guidance of a volunteer advisory board.

The mustard seed, the idea, the need to do God's will and answer His call to "Feed the Hungry" was planted in the hearts of Richard and Lois Shadoan. Thanks to the Shadoans and many church and community leaders, the vision became a reality called Christian Charities of Sumter.

Christian Charities remains a vital resource for assistance to the poor and needy of the Sumter community thanks to the continued dedication and determination of the many volunteers through the past 31 years.

Shirley Copeland
5/29/2013