ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The building is up for sale, but the people running the various charities out of the old First Baptist Church at 22703 Racine St. in Robertsdale don’t care. They plan to keep the thrift store, food pantry and Christian Service Center open even if the building is sold. The congregation of FBC has moved to a new sanctuary on Highway 104.

“The pastor said he’d get us a new building (when the old church building is sold),” said Doris Hastings, who directs the thrift store and other charities in the building. “God will lead us to whatever we do.”

Hastings said the charities began as a result of Hurricane Katrina, which caused an influx of people escaping the aftermath of the storm into the area.

“We had 130 people here after Katrina,” said Hastings. “We took care of their needs, but we had so many people from this area coming to our back door, looking for food.”

That led the congregation to found “Project CARE/Project Sonshine” (Catastrophic Aftermath Relief Effort) to meet the needs they saw in the community. Hastings says that the congregation has had several charity projects, and continues to run those projects, but the work on Racine St. has also grown. The church works with other charity groups in the area.

Today, there’s a small lending library, a food pantry that Hastings says serves more than 300 people a month, and about three months ago, the congregation launched its branch of Christian Social Services, coordinated by the Baldwin Baptist Association.

“People can get help with gas, lodging and utilities,” said Hastings.

The work is funded by donations, and the money the thrift store makes is also used to fund the CSC. The store is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Betides the store in the old student center that sells everything from school uniforms to home goods and fashions, there is also an area in the old sanctuary that sells home furniture. People who have suffered a catastrophic misfortune such as a house fire, are given vouchers to shop in the thrift store, Hastings says.

“We need beds,” she said. “We need furniture, appliances, and all parts of beds.”

“We have a lot of people unemployed, people who have lost their homes, and they don’t have any hope left,” said Hastings.

While there is plenty of opportunity to preach, Hastings says, “It’s not mandatory that anyone listen to the plan of salvation, but it is offered.”

“We do this because the Bible tells us to “feed His children.” If someone is troubled we have to meet their physical needs. Then we can talk to them and they can understand what we are saying.”

The CSC program has a missionary on staff, Lana Hall, from Jackson. She graduated from Samford University with a degree in biology. She planned to go to medical school.

“The Lord was telling me to spend two years of my life as a missionary,” said Hall. She now plant to attend a seminary after her stint as a missionary is up. She hopes to eventually become an overseas missionary.

Hastings added that Christy Turner set up the program.

“When a client comes in we go through the intake forms and determine their needs,” said Hall. “You see people in difficult circumstances and it it a joy to talk with them and give them hope, the hope you find in Christ. “

For more information about CARE/Sonshine programs or the CSC, call 947-8857, 979-7543 or 947-4362.