Marketplace needs a home

A front page story in last week's edition reported that the First United Methodist Church was seeking a zoning change to facilitate the location of its expanding food/clothing pantry to the former nursery and garden center on East Robert Toombs Avenue. The story pointed out several objections of surrounding residents that did not want to see the property cleared for commercial activity. A petition in opposition to the zoning change also circulated prior to the public hearing at which the proposed change would be discussed and likely acted on by the Washington City Council.

Then, the request was withdrawn. The property will remain zoned R- 3 and God's Marketplace Inc. will have to go somewhere else.

That's as it should be. A zoning change to C-3 in that location would open up that neighborhood to all sorts of objectionable possibilities which could destroy the character of the east entry into town. God's Marketplace Inc. certainly would not have done that but after it moved on, who knows about its successor? The Washington Planning Commission is to be applauded for sticking to what it knew was the right thing to do. And those who withdrew the request deserve a pat on the back for realizing that, in the long run, another place will be better for the Marketplace and for the community.

And so where will that place be? The Joneses were kind enough to offer the use of their property free of charge. Who else has existing property, a building, a facility of any kind that would serve as a home for God's Marketplace?

The ministry is certainly needed. There are hundreds of people in Wilkes County who are truly hungry and in need of clothing daily. There are hundreds of other people who have more food and clothes than they can use. God's Marketplace will bring them together.

It doesn't stop with food and clothes. Organizers say they want to do a lot of things. That's why they need a place zoned C-3 - so they won't be limited in the ministry they provide. They withdrew the zoning change request because they did not want to be divisive. "We are about unity and we are about blessings. This is just a wonderful thing," Rev. Gale Seibert said.

The concept has already been developed, the leaders are ready to put the plan into action, and the volunteers are available for work. All they

So if you have someplace that could house a part-time humanitarian ministry managed by caring people who might even put the place in better shape, give it some thought. Of if you know of someplace that seems suitable for such a worthy endeavor, encourage the owner to make it available.

Anyone wishing to help may call the First United Methodist Church at 706-678-7116.

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