By SHELBA NIVENS / Community Columnist

“We now have an active community food pantry,” said Kim Bradley, director of Heavenly Smile Inc. in Chelsea. “We are also able to help with utility bills.”

As a faith-based non-profit organization with Community Service Chaplaincy status, Heavenly Smile does a monthly jail ministry and assists the local fire department with certain emergency items for home fires.

They offer financial literacy courses, one-on-one budgeting and self-improvement/encouragement sessions, which include resume writing, interview help and the like.

As members of a “Birthday Club,” they help deliver birthday cakes to residents at The Foundry Rescue Mission, and at Christmas they sponsor individuals and families with gifts and food.

“We work closely with the Chelsea Fire Department and other community agencies to help families in need,” Bradley said.

“We are small but functioning well by partnering with churches and organizations to help others and spread the Gospel in our community.”

They deeply appreciate the help everyone gives them throughout the year, she said, including the Church of The Good Shepherd, Chelsea Middle School Band and Cub Scout Pack 617 (for food drives), Mt. Tabor Methodist Fellowship Class, Chelsea Church of God, Chaplain Steve Wallace and numerous other individuals and groups.

“And we especially appreciate Shelby Baptist Association and The Foundry because we have learned much from them about ministering more efficiently and effectively.”

Heavenly Smile volunteers are available to speak to local women’s ministry groups and Sunday schools.

“These are times to share personal testimony and what the ministry is about. It’s not to solicit funds,” Bradley said. Local references are available for their speakers.

“Together we can all be the hands and feet of Christ, for it’s all about Him,” she said.

Heavenly Smile is located in the Chelsea Center at the traffic light near the intersection of Shelby County 47 and 39. Check them out on the web at Heavenlysmileinc.com. Phone Kim Bradley at Heavenly Smile at 678-6603.

 

Shelba Nivens can be reached by email at Shelbasn@juno.com.