3/1/12
Gleaning For The World Ships to Tornado Victims
March 1, 2012 | Concord, VA– In response to the severe storm that struck parts of Missouri and Illinois on Wednesday, Gleaning For The World is sending a tractor-trailer load of emergency supplies to Earth City, MO.
The tractor-trailer load will contain 1,920 blankets and 15,120 bottles of water and will be sent to help hundreds of families who have been displaced. The emergency aid will leave Gleaning’s Appomattox, VA warehouse late Thursday afternoon and will reach the disaster zone sometime Friday.
“With over 100 people injured and at least seven casualties, these people need our help now,” says GFTW founder, Rev. Ron Davidson. “We will do whatever we can to help those who have lost so much. Our staff is on-call 24-hours a day to respond to more requests for supplies.” More supplies are expected to be requested and sent in the next 24-hours.
1/23/12
Gleaning For The World Responds To Alabama Storm
January 23, 2012 | Concord, VA– A major storm caused severe damage Sunday night in central Alabama, with three reported dead and more than 100 injured. Gleaning For The World has been contacted for supplies and has partners on the ground assessing the area’s future needs.
Three tractor-trailer loads with flavored water, food and personal care items will be shipped from GFTW’s Concord, VA warehouse Monday afternoon, with more following on Tuesday. This is the second major disaster Tuscaloosa and Birmingham have faced in the last year – following a powerful tornado last April that killed over 300 people.
“We helped this area just nine months ago,” said Ron Davidson, founder and COO of GFTW. “We are prepared to provide all the support and love we can give again.”
1/9/12
Gleaning For The World Sends $500,000,000 in Humanitarian Aid
January 9, 2012 | Concord, VA – The most efficient charity in America, Gleaning For The World, will surpass $500,000,000 in humanitarian aid on January 10, 2012. With the shipment of a tractor-trailer load to El Salvador Tuesday morning, the 13-year-old non-profit organization will reach this milestone.
The tractor-trailer will be filled with medical equipment, medical supplies, hand sanitizer, jar candles and stuffed animals. It is valued at $304,000 and will be loaded and shipped from GFTW’s Concord, VA warehouse at 10:00 a.m.
“We are honored and humbled to reach this tremendous milestone,” stated Ron Davidson, founder and COO. “I hope the country takes notice of what we have accomplished from our facilities here in rural Virginia. Our product partners and financial partners have sacrificed over the past decade so many hurting people might receive love and support during difficult times.”
Since 1998, Gleaning For The World has sent out over 2,500 loads of supplies to hurting communities in response to war, poverty, natural disaster and other devastating events. In 2011 alone, the organization supplied aid to 18 countries and 14 states in the U.S.
12/8/11
Forbes Magazine Names Gleaning For The World ‘Most Efficient Charity in America’
LYNCHBURG, Va.– Forbes Magazine has just recognized Gleaning For The World, a faith-based humanitarian organization, as the most efficient charity in the United States. This marks the third time that Gleaning For The World has been honored by Forbes.
More than 200 charities were evaluated in Forbes’ annual study, including World Vision, the American Red Cross, Campus Crusade for Christ, Habitat for Humanity and the American Cancer Society. Gleaning For The World received the 100% efficiency rating in charitable commitment and fundraising efficiency.
“This recognition highlights the hard work and focus of Reverend Davidson and staff to maximize every resource,” stated Jonathan Falwell, Chairman of the Board and Senior Pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church. “The leadership team has done an excellent job on behalf of our faithful financial partners, who give sacrificially to meet the humanitarian needs of our world.”
The 100% efficiency rating means that when financial donors give to Gleaning For The World, they can be assured that 100% of their gifts will go directly to the people in need. Only five of the top 200 charities were identified at the 100% level.
12/1/11
Gleaning For The World Supplies Extra Christmas Food in Central Virginia
December 1, 2011 | Concord, VA– For the second year in a row, Gleaning For The World has committed to providing 1 million pounds of food to our local area through the “Feeding Our Neighbors” program. As part of that program, during the Christmas season we are aiming to give 100,000 pounds of food to families in need.
Each pound of food roughly translates to a meal for one person. It is estimated that there are 912,790 individuals who are “food insecure” in Virginia alone. This means that almost 1 million Virginians struggle to consistently put nutritionally sound food on the table.
Between now and December 31, Gleaning plans to locate and secure the 100,000 pounds of food. This food will be given to families who are struggling during the holidays and need some extra help.
8/23/11
Gleaning For The World Prepares for Hurricane Irene
Concord, VA– At the end of this week, Hurricane Irene is expected to hit the southeastern part of the United States. Gleaning For The World is already at work positioning supplies in Tennessee and Virginia. We are also in touch with contacts in Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina to get water, blankets and food available before Irene makes landfall.
“Gleaning For The World is doing everything in our power to be prepared to respond to Hurricane Irene,” says Gleaning For The World founder Rev. Ron Davidson. “We are moving supplies and connecting with area churches and government organizations to make sure we get our supplies placed and people are taken care of. If this storm does not change paths, we could have major damage. We want to make sure that those in Central Virginia get the support they need, as well as those affected in other areas.”
In preparation, Gleaning has approximately 25,000 blankets ready to be shipped, nearly six tractor-trailer loads of water and other hydration, as well as Clorox cleaning supplies to help in the clean-up process. They have requested another 150,000 bottles of water and sports drinks from donors, and will receive these soon.
GFTW also has five military-grade triage tents to use for distribution, medical help and sleeping quarters. The tents are valued at over $250,000 and Hurricane Irene will be the first natural disaster these tents will be used for.
Hurricane Irene is forecasted as at least a Category 3 storm with sustained winds over 115 miles per hour. She has already devastated parts of Puerto Rico and is heading towards the Bahamas, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Residents in the southeastern U.S. are being urged to take this storm seriously.
07/22/11
Gleaning For The World Supplies Central Virginia with 1 Million Pounds of Food
Concord, VA– This Tuesday Gleaning For The World will exceed their aspirations of placing 1 million pounds of food to local food banks in one year. Currently, 983,000 pounds have been donated to area food banks since last September. The final 32,000-pound shipment will leave the Concord facility on July 26.
In 10 short months, Gleaning For The World has provided the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and Southwest Food Bank with a total of 1,015,000 pounds of food. The commitment to provide 1 million pounds of food to local food banks within 12 months was made in September 2010. This is enough food to provide nearly 1 million meals.
Gleaning For The World donated 300,000 pounds of food to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, which distributes over 20 million pounds of food a year. Gleaning’s donation greatly contributes to that number.
“We are grateful for Gleaning for the World’s generous contribution, allowing us to provide more than 230,000 meals to the hungry throughout our service area over the past year,” said Larry Zippin, CEO of BRAFB. “It is vital to have support from organizations like Gleaning for the World as we provide relief to our struggling neighbors. We distributed more than 16 million meals to thousands of folks in Central and Western Virginia last year, and we expect the requests for food assistance to rise as food and energy costs continue to soar.”
This increase in need motivates Gleaning For The World to carry out this mission for at least another year.
“Our goal is to continue the effort that we have started,” said Rev. Ron Davidson
07/07/11
Gleaning Officially Launches New Subsidiary: Faith Aid Network
Concord, VA– Gleaning For The World is pleased to officially announce the launching of Gleaning’s Faith Aid Network (FAN).
This new 501©(3) was created in response to Gleaning For The World’s increasing partnerships with multiple humanitarian aid organizations. These organizations share similar, yet different, visions of helping people around the world who are facing life-threatening circumstances. FAN was created to unite these groups and help meet the need more efficiently and effectively.
Since spring, FAN has played a significant role in coordinating the movement of millions of pounds of relief supplies and several feeding kitchens into eight storm-damaged areas throughout the United States. The supplies came from more than 50 organizations.
“It is our hope that Gleaning’s Faith Aid Network will continue to unite the efforts of the humanitarian aid world so that the love of Christ can not only be shared, but felt in a mighty way,” said Rev. Ron Davidson, founder and President of Gleaning For The World and FAN. “It is our desire to maximize and improve the efficiency of our nation’s response to natural disasters. Our citizens need it and our donors expect it.”
Gleaning’s FAN is also empowering churches by providing them with resources and training needed to reach out into their storm ravaged community, thus, earning the right to be heard and leading the lost to Christ.
05/24/11
Deadly Twister Devastates Joplin, MO
Concord, VA – A round of severe thunderstorms has spawned the deadliest tornado to date. At least 116 people are dead after a tornado ripped through Joplin, MO, a city with a population of 50,000 citizens.
The twister traveled a six-mile long path that was over a half mile wide. Severe damage was caused to approximately 2,000 buildings, including the city’s hospital.
Gleaning For The World responded with five tractor-trailer loads of supplies. The loads include food, bottled water and blankets. Gleaning For The World will be sending more supplies, as we are able to respond.
We will be collecting items at Sam’s Club on Wards Road in Lynchburg on Wednesday, May 25 and Thursday, May 26 from 10am-5pm. Needed items include financial donations, food, water, baby supplies, cleaning supplies and personal care items.
04/28/11
Gleaning Sending Aid to Alabama
Concord, VA – Several tornadoes touched down in five states across the South, causing widespread destruction overnight. The storms claimed over 200 lives. Thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed.
Among the hardest hit areas is Tuscaloosa, Al. There have been over 100 confirmed deaths in the state, and that number is expected to rise. The people are in desperate need, and Gleaning For The World is sending help.
Today, Gleaning For The World is sending four tractor-trailer loads of supplies to the storm victims in Alabama. The load includes food, water and blankets. More loads are planned to be shipped that will include food, water and any needs that the people may have. Gleaning is in close communication with our partnering organizations to learn the needs of the devastated area. Gleaning For The World is actively working to provide the life-saving supplies that is desperately needed by the tornado victims.
04/13/11
Gleaning Provides Tornado Relief to Pulaski County
Concord, VA – Nearly 400 families in Virginia are picking up the pieces from last Friday’s fierce storms. Two tornadoes touched down, destroying 31 homes and severely damaging over 300 more in Pulaski County.
This disaster took place in the most impoverished area of Pulaski. The magnitude of the storm left 1,760 people without power or heat. Many of these families were left without food, clothing, money and insurance to rebuild.
Gleaning For The World is actively providing aid and support to these hurting families. Within eight hours of learning the immediate needs, Gleaning rushed 104,000 pounds of aid, including bottled water, green tea, blankets, cleaning supplies and personal care items to recovering families.
On Thursday, Gleaning is providing one tractor-trailer load of gallon-jugged water and 40,000 servings of grocery products. In addition, financial and product contributions will be accepted at the Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Gleaning is partnering with the Southwest Area Food Bank and WSLS Channel 10 to collect and provide critical aid.
03/11/11
Gleaning Prepares for Earthquake / Tsunami Relief
Concord, VA – In response to the earthquake that occurred off the coast of Japan today, and the tsunami that is affecting several areas including the Pacific Coast of the U.S., Gleaning For The World is contacting partnering organizations in the U.S. and overseas to assess damages and needs. As the first waves begin to hit the Pacific Northwest, GFTW continues to monitor the situation and stands ready to respond.
09/29/10
Gleaning Commits to Feeding the Hungry in Central Virginia
Concord, VA – The down-trickling economy over the last couple of years has significantly impacted families across Central Virginia. The labor force continues to decline for the state of Virginia with the unemployment rate at 7%. With another nose dive anticipated by economic forecasters, there are thousands of families in our own community who need assistance now.
In partnership with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and other agencies, Gleaning For The World is preparing to provide our largest food donation to date to people in our surrounding areas. Our goal is to send up to one million meals to families in need in Central Virginia and other areas served by the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Thanks to recent grocery donors, we have already provided more than 108,000 pounds of food and hydration to our local food bank. Our ongoing partnership will provide as many as 26 tractor-trailers or 10 percent of daily food needs throughout the next year to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
In order to continue our efforts to support families who suffer from hunger, we are counting on our community to sustain this vision with financial support. We encourage supporters to make contributions by writing a check to Gleaning For The World at PO Box 645 Concord, VA 24538 or online at www.gftw.org
According to Larry Zippin, Chief Executive for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, “The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (BRAFB) is grateful to Gleaning For The World for entering into a partnership which will enable us, as a result of GFTW’s acquiring hundreds of thousands of pounds of food products and other dry goods, to provide emergency food to thousands of hungry people throughout communities served by BRAFB.”
“There are too many families who go without the nutrition they need to feed their children,” says Rev Ron Davidson, President and COO for Gleaning For The World. “Our vision is to make certain these families have what they need, and we will do everything we can to make this happen. We are trusting that others will step forward and help continue this effort with their support.”
04/21/10
Gleaning Helping Local Military Families
Concord, VA – The Historic Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross, members of the Virginia Defense Force and Gleaning For The World are joining together to kick-off a very special project on April 24, 2010. “Operation Enduring Support” will begin in Lynchburg at the Sam’s Club on Wards Road with a “Fill the Humvee” day. Members of these collaborating groups will be on-hand to collect donations of food, household products, baby items and more from 09:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Sam’s Club.
According to Emergency Services Director, Doug Eggleston, “This will be a very special project for our Services to the Armed Forces department and the others involved. “Operation Enduring Support” is a project that will show the 400 members of the Virginia Army National Guard’s 1/116th Infantry Battalion- that are now deployed to Iraq – that this community is behind them and willing to help their families any way we can”.
Ron Davidson, President and Founder of Gleaning For The World says, “We have over 400 local troops in Iraq defending our freedom from the Taliban. Their families should not have to worry about the necessities of life while they’re gone. Through Gleaning For The World, we will do whatever we can to support these families during this deployment.”
A commissary will be open for the families of these soldiers once a month for them to shop for FREE and help stretch their budgets a little. Our philosophy is that by supporting these families here in our community, the soldiers will be able to focus on their mission in Iraq and worry a little less about their loved-ones at home.
01/13/10
Haiti Earthquake Prompts GFTW Aid
Concord, VA — An unprecedented 7.0 scale earthquake has caused major destruction in the island nation of Haiti, and especially its hard-hit capital, Port-au-Prince. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to be dead. Millions are facing suffering, sickness and starvation. Haiti’s already fragile infrastructure has been destroyed; major hospitals, bridges, homes and businesses have been left in ruin. Survivors are in shock and wandering the streets, homeless, hungry and hopeless.
Gleaning For The World and Thomas Road Baptist Church are working together to locate, collect and ship the critical supplies needed. Within an hour of the breaking news, Gleaning started contacting their network of partnering organizations and product donors to provide relief. Gleaning currently has one tractor-trailer load of supplies that will be shipped to Haiti immediately. Many additional shipments will be sent as funding and supplies become available.
Gleaning founder Rev. Ron Davidson said that Gleaning is presently contacting thousands of supporters and asking for emergency donations to meet this urgent need. “Within one hour of the earthquake, we were on the phone with our representatives in Haiti coordinating shipments of food and medical supplies,” said Davidson. “We are again counting on the generosity of our friends who have always responded when a disaster has struck.”
Gleaning will be collecting supplies and contributions at the Kroger on Wards Road in Lynchburg on Thursday, Jan. 14 from 4 to 7 pm. and at Sam’s Club on Wards Road in Lynchburg on Friday, Jan. 15 from 1 to 8 pm and Saturday, Jan. 16, from 10 to 4 pm.
02/19/09
GFTW sends medical supplies to help survivors of attacks in Gaza
Concord, VA – Gleaning For The World (GFTW) is working with a partner group in Gaza to provide help to victims of the recent Israeli attacks. GFTW has provided nearly $1 million in medical supplies, including first-aid products and surgical instruments, to help doctors provide care for innocent people caught in the cross-fire of the war.
According to news reports, more than 1,000 Palestinians are dead and thousands of others are still recovering. The conflict and constant bombing have destroyed thousands of homes as well as much of the infrastructure, including water and septic systems. Representatives of humanitarian organizations working in the area fear that many will die from preventable diseases. Families are in desperate need of help.
GFTW’s partner organization should receive the medical supplies in Gaza as soon as the shipment clears customs — most likely by mid-March. GFTW will stay in close contact with humanitarian groups in Gaza to determine the needs, and will continue to support those affected by the attacks.
01/29/09
Nutritional Products to Help Save Lives
Concord, VA – Gleaning For The World (GFTW) is working with the Guatemala Feeding Program to save the lives of innocent children. Currently, GFTW has committed to ship $4 million worth of vitamins and nutritional supplements to care for these starving children. Today, two tractor-trailer loads of protein water were shipped to Guatemala. Future shipments may include vitamin-enriched water, milk and dried soup mix. GFTW is also sending approximately 15,000 pairs of shoes to help protect children from parasites and the diseases they cause.
In many areas of Guatemala, poverty is extreme, food is scarce and diseases are spreading. It is not unusual to find children and families living in landfills, scavenging for anything they can find to eat. The Guatemala Feeding Program cares for the thousands of children who literally have nothing. Some children are so malnourished that they cannot eat normal foods without first getting nutrients in their systems. The feeding program provides the care they need to be able to begin eating again. However, this program and others are grossly under-funded due to the trickle-down effect of the U.S. economy.
In the last 12 months, GFTW has shipped more than 600,000 servings of food and drink to help starving children in Guatemala. As more life-saving supplies become available, they will be used in Guatemala and other areas with similar need.
11/26/08
GFTW recognized as top charity by Forbes.com
For the second year in a row, Forbes.com’s annual ranking of America’s 200 largest charities has cited Gleaning For The World (GFTW) as one of the nation’s top charities in both fundraising efficiency and charitable commitment. Tying for first place, GFTW is one of only four organizations to receive a perfect score of 100 in both categories.
According to Forbes.com, “Charitable commitment calculates how much of total expense went directly to the charitable purpose (also known as program support or program expense) as opposed to management, certain overhead and fundraising. The average this year is 85%.” Fundraising efficiency is a “closely watched statistic [that] shows the cut of gifts left after subtracting the cost of getting them. The average this year: 90%.” For the second consecutive year, GFTW maintained its score of 100% in both categories.
Rev. Ron Davidson, Gleaning For The World President and CEO, remarked: “We appreciate the Forbes ranking because it shows the world that we are committed to carrying out our mission in the most efficient way possible. As we seek to remain good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us, we know we are not only accountable to our donors but also to God and to the children who will not survive without our help.”
Forbes.com article
Forbes.com’s list of America’s 200 largest charities
Gleaning For The World on Forbes.com
11/11/08
GFTW receives second consecutive 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator
For the second year in a row, Charity Navigator has awarded Gleaning For The World its coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management. The rating is based on two broad areas of a charity’s financial health — how responsibly it functions day-to-day and how well positioned it is to sustain its programs over time. Receiving this rating indicates that Gleaning For The World excels at managing its finances in an efficient and effective manner.
That GFTW has received this rating for two consecutive years is an exceptional feat — especially in light of the economic challenges many charities have been facing. In making the announcement, Charity Navigator President and Chief Executive Officer Ken Berger said: “Only 18 percent of the charities we’ve rated have received at least two consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Gleaning For The World consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America.”
Rev. Ron Davidson, Gleaning For The World President and CEO, remarked: “Like most charities, Gleaning For The World has been hard-hit by recent economic developments. But we are committed to our mission and we work hard to make every dollar count. We are pleased that Charity Navigator continues to award us its highest rating. We will continue in our commitment to being good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.”
To view Gleaning For The World’s 4-Star rating on the Charity Navigator site, click here.
05/16/08
In the wake of the May 2-3 cyclone in Myanmar (also known as Burma), death toll estimates continue to rise. On Wednesday, the chief of the United Nations Humanitarian Affairs estimated the death toll to be “in the region of 100,000 or more.” Estimates from the Red Cross, based on input from 22 organizations in 58 townships, put the number between 68,833 and 127,990. And, according to John Holmes, U.N. under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, the U.N. already has confirmed 38,491 deaths. The devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis has left as many as 2.5 million people displaced and in desperate need of food, water, shelter and medical care. It is a disaster unlike any we have seen.
Gleaning For The World (GFTW) has shipped water, blankets and survival kits that include food, water, hygiene items, first aid kits and other necessary items. Today, GFTW also sent $10,000 to purchase food which will feed 90,000 people in Myanmar this weekend. Those who survived the cyclone should not be allowed to die for lack of food.
Your financial support is desperately needed. We have stepped out in faith to send the supplies and funds already on their way. We have also located three truck loads of rice in Thailand that we are working to ship to Myanmar. We have the ability to get the food and supplies to those who need them, but we can’t do it without your help.
Time is critical as more and more innocent victims die every day. Please make a donation by calling 1-877-913-9212 or
click here to donate online.
03/14/08
GFTW launches project to help Hope of Life orphanage in Guatemala
Click here to listen to radio announcement (mp3 | 2.3 Mb)
Would you let your children eat food from a landfill? For many parents in Guatemala, that is their only choice. That — or watch their children starve.
In January, four GFTW staff members traveled to Guatemala to visit Hope of Life Ministries, an orphanage supported in part by Gleaning For The World. While there, they visited a landfill that is literally home to many children, families and elderly people. In the U.S., we would consider it unimaginable, but in Guatemala, children sift through garbage, hoping to find food or anything they can use to survive. What they usually find is spoiling, rotten or infested. But it is all they have, so they eat it.
Hope of Life regularly visits the landfill to distribute whatever supplies they can. But to continue this vital ministry, they need ourhelp.
GFTW has already sent one tractor-trailer load of supplies to Hope of Life to help feed and clothe those they are working so hard to save. The orphanage currently cares for 4,000 children and elderly people. But the need continues to increase.
Right now, we are collecting supplies to send to Hope of Life. You may choose to purchase supplies yourself and send or deliver them to our office in Concord, Va., or you may make a monetary gift which we will use to purchase the most desperately needed supplies. Whatever you can do, however you can help, you will be a blessing to those who have nothing.
If you would like to collect supplies, please click here for a list of needed items.
To make a monetary gift via credit card, click here to go to our secure, on-line donation page. Or, send a check or money order to: Gleaning For The World, Hope of Life project, P O Box 645, Concord, VA 24538. Be sure to indicate that your gift is for Hope of Life in either the comments box (online) or the memo portion of your check.
Thank you for helping us save their lives.
02/01/08
GFTW receives coveted 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator (Mahwah, N.J.) today announced that Gleaning For The World has been awarded its coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management. The rating is based on two broad areas of a charity’s financial health — how responsibly it functions day-to-day and how well positioned it is to sustain its programs over time.
In making the announcement, Charity Navigator President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Smith said: “Approximately a quarter of the charities we evaluate have received our highest rating, indicating that Gleaning For The World outperforms the majority of nonprofits in America with respect to fiscal responsibility. This ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Gleaning For The World from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.”
Gleaning For The World President and CEO, Rev. Ron Davidson, stated: “We are pleased and honored to receive Charity Navigator’s highest rating. As a Christian ministry, we strive to ensure that our operations are efficient and effective. We want the people who support us to know that their donations are used to save as many lives as possible. We take our mission seriously.”
To view Gleaning For The World’s 4-Star rating on the Charity Navigator site, click here.
Gleaning For The World is a non-profit, humanitarian organization that provides life-saving supplies and equipment to humanitarian and mission organizations around the globe. In 2007, GFTW shipped more than $59 million worth of supplies to people in desperate need.
Charity Navigator is America’s largest charity evaluator, working to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of more than 5,300 of America’s largest charities. Charity Navigator does not accept funding from the charities it evaluates, ensuring its ratings remain objective. Charity data is provided free-of-charge at CharityNavigator.org.