Macon Magazine

As owner and publisher of The Macon Telegraph, Peyton T. Anderson's lifelong work in journalism was dedicated to sharing the stories of our community. These stories were told against the backdrop of our history, in both the best and worst of times. While the stories sometimes came with strife and tragic circumstances, they always reflected the essence of the human condition – in growth, adaptability and resilience. Today, The Peyton Anderson Foundation serves as a lasting memorial to a man whose goodwill lives on long after his lifetime. As an independent, place-based foundation, Peyton Anderson's continued legacy is investing in the good works of people in Central Georgia and improving their quality of life through community development, education, health, human services and arts and culture. His instructions were simple: Give to "good-doers," instead of "do-gooders." I think these lasting words have never rung more true than in our community's response and resilience in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. Here in this issue, you will find stories of Macon's Good-Doers, some of the people and groups who have responded in a lasting and profound way to meet the urgent needs of our community. The Peyton Anderson Foundation is pleased to partner with Macon Magazine to share these important and impactful stories. Thank you to all who are on the front lines of "Good-Doing" for the sake of our community's shared future. We remain committed to working together and supporting this area, even if our collaboration must include a social distance. KAREN LAMBERT President, The Peyton Anderson Foundation Dear readers, Something heroic happened May 2. A coordinated effort by five Macon churches gave multiple-meal food packages to 2,511 families, impacting more than 7,000 people. The effort was made by churches and volunteers, with food supplied from the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia and United Way of Central Georgia's COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. The idea for cooperative food distribution led by faith communities at several sites rather than one central spot came from Temple Beth Israel Rabbi Emeritus Larry Schlesinger – one hero among many. The May 2 effort was the largest food distribution undertaken by the food bank, almost doubling an earlier single-location giveaway at the Macon Coliseum. The five churches planned another distribution event in early June. Organizers said all those who braved the threat of COVID-19 to help out are heroes in their own right. Hear from five heroes on the undertaking: The Rev. Dominique Johnson of A Kingdom Life: "Coordinating together, we naturally worked in our own neighborhoods wanting to show faith in action and love for those we're here to serve. We had 40- plus volunteers from our church and the community – a real work of unity." Minister Sheknita Davis of Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church: "More is accomplished through collaboration and we were able to help in strategic locations. We form opinions about who faces food insecurity, but we saw people from all walks of life – professionals, single parents, elderly, working, unemployed – all were there." The Rev. Jason McClendon of Community Church of God: "It was a synergistic effort to serve the most people. At our location, we leveraged relationships to offer COVID-19 testing also and are sharing this resource with others as we're able. It's good to serve our city together against such need." The Rev. Chris Carter of Healing Experience Ministries: "It's heroic to show such unity, which is often the missing link in Macon. We were able to show our hearts to people and do some good. We've gotten tremendous feedback and heard it sparked other projects. That means greater things for the community." The Rev. Horace Holmes of World Changers Church: "I think all five churches shared the vision to fulfill Jesus Christ's words to feed the sheep. We saw the need and acted in unison despite our different sizes, locations, denominations and capacities. I believe that shows God's heart."—Michael W. Pannell Multi-group food distribution

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