Good Samaritans to distribute goods to the needy for Christmas this Saturday

For 15 years, the Good Samaritans For All People Inc. has brightened Christmas for disadvantaged families throughout the Pee Dee region. Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon, the group will be distributing clothing, toys and food to any individual or family in need in Bishopville at Lee Central Comprehensive High School. The school is located just off I-20 at exit 120.

“We have already helped more than 1,600 people this year,” Founder and President the Rev. Eddie C. Thomas Jr. said.

Families will need to come early and fill out an application of need, said the United Methodist minister.

The group expects to help 2,000 to 3,000 people this Christmas with 27 volunteers from the six counties in the Pee Dee helping.

“Joy is what I get. (It) makes me feel good to put a smile on someone else’s face,” Thomas said.

The Hartsville native attended Butler High School, Florence-Darlington Technical College and Coker College before going to Duke University in the seminary. He has been a Methodist minister for 36 years.

His organization serves families in nine counties, including Darlington, Lee, Sumter, Kershaw, Florence, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Marlboro and Williamsburg through its assistance program.

Each year the group also reaches out to schools with a back-to-school giveaway of school supplies. Throughout the year, they assist families whose homes have burned with furniture and clothing. Thomas said they work closely with DSS, the Red Cross and fire departments.

The roots of the organization sprouted in 1994 in Wallace in Marlboro County.

“I was the pastor of three churches in the area when a mother and three children came to the door the day before Christmas in 1994. The mother said they didn’t have anything for Christmas,” Thomas said.

“We had received Christmas gifts from our churches, and we prayed about the situation. The Lord directed us to help the mother and her children with food, clothing and toys,” Thomas said.

He said the Lord directed them to start what is known as the Good Samaritans For All People.

In 1995, the organization began with clothing, food and two bags of toys. Seventy-eight families were assisted.

Since its beginning, the Good Samaritans have served more than 35,000 people in the region.
This year, the group is being asked to provide for more people because of the poor economy, Thomas said. And donations are down.

“We need help,” Thomas said.

In addition to giving boxes of food to the needy at Thanksgiving and the Christmas giveaway, the group visits nursing homes in January to distribute items to needy patients, helps handicapped individuals by cutting grass and cleaning around their homes in the summer months.

“We have had nine giveaways this year” Thomas said. “Normally we have four.”

The Good Samaritan For All People has received the Governor’s Award, the Silver Crescent, which is the second highest award given in the state.

The nonprofit group needs your help during these economically challenging times. There are more people in need and fewer people making donations. The organization accepts donations of non-perishable food, clothing, toys, household goods and supplies as well as monetary donations. They will be accepting items until Thursday for Christmas. All contributions are tax deductible.

For more information on how to donate to The Good Samaritans, contact Thomas at (803) 428-4448 or send a letter to 18 Boone Lane, Bishopville, SC 29010.