TEXAS COMPUTER STOLEN http://www.ksat.com/news/20219796/detail.html

Theft Doesn't Stop Outreach Ministry

By Jessie Degollado | KSAT.com

POSTED: Wednesday, July 29, 2009

UPDATED: 10:37 am CDT July 30, 2009

SAN ANTONIO -- With only the food she had collected from Daily Bread Ministries a couple of days after Sunday night’s break-in, Pastor Krystal Nichols of Redeeming Grace A.M.E. Zion Church and her dedicated volunteers somehow managed to help more than 30 people, many of them small children.

“They’ll get one good grocery bag,” said Nichols. “That’s better than not having a grocery bag.”

“Pastor Kris,” as she’s known, said only three families went away with nothing given she only had half the amount of food she needed for the regular Wednesday night giveaway at the church located at 1690 Rigsby Ave. on the city’s southeast side. Because of the recession, she estimates the monthly average is now up to 75 families and more than 250 children.

Whomever entered the rear of the building by shoving in the air conditioning window unit from the outside, left a refrigerator door open, leaving food items to spoil and taking much of what was left. Also missing were some cash, sound equipment for the musical instruments, the pulpit in the sanctuary, the church computer and computer equipment for an after-school program so children could do their homework at the church. The pastor said it was the first such incident since she began the ministry in 2005.

Joe Salais, a disabled father who is among those served by Redeeming Grace’s outreach, said whomever is responsible violated a house of God.

“There’s ignorance in that. What are they going to get out of it?” said Salais as he waited outside for the distribution to begin. “These people help out the people here and for them to come do that, that’s not right.”

The pastor said families depend on what little she can offer in food and clothing, neatly arranged on tables and shelves.

“I had a lady in tears tell me this is what she eats all week,” said Nichols. “That, in the year 2009, that’s amazing.”

Despite the break-in, Nichols and those who joined hands in prayer before the food distribution began, said, "God is good.”

And, so are the people of San Antonio, said Nichols. Following news coverage of her ministry’s plight, several viewers came forward offering bags of food and baby clothing. Another came by with a heartfelt donation.

“His son told me seeing the story really touched his heart,” said a grateful Nichols. “It made me cry.”

“God provides for them and they provide for us,” said Salais. “So, why should we do anything to hurt them?”

Asked if she still needed donations, Nichols said, “Of course, it would be a blessing.”

Copyright 2009 by KSAT.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.