CULLMAN, Ala. – Britannica.com defines karma as a “causal law by which good or bad actions determine the future modes of an individual’s existence.” The leaders of local charity Karma in Cullman hope that the group’s history of service to families in need might lead to the miracle it needs now, as it faces the loss of its facility in north Cullman.
The charitable group, which is known for its Christmas gift and back-to-school clothing and supply programs for local children, is moving out of the building it has used on State Road 157, following the sale of the property by its owner. Karma Director Rachel Fillmore bears the owner no ill will and expressed thankfulness for the time her group was able to use the building rent-free, but she worries about the future of the organization.
Said Fillmore, “Karma is about to be homeless, in a sense. We were blessed to use our current space rent-free until the area was sold. We knew this was always a bridge we would come to. However, when I got to the bridge, I had prayed for a four-lane paved bridge; however, the one I find myself at–a swinging rope bridge with every third board missing, dangling over a fiery pit with very scary monsters below!
“We will not be able to stay at the property. We were given at least 60 days, possibly a few more, but that isn’t guaranteed, so I am not counting on them. We are at a disadvantage because we run on very limited donations; the prospect of paying a large rental fee every month is pretty much a pipe dream for us. However, we also know that finding a property owner who will allow us to use their property free of charge is also not a reality. We understand they must make a living as well.
She continued, “So we find ourselves at a crossroads. We need a location that is large enough for use to sort our donations and set them up, such as a thrift store style even though we would not be one. We also need some office space, but more importantly, a space to be able to run a safe and healthy food pantry. This is a tall order that we know will not be easy to find. We have looked around and talked with a few owners, but they felt they would not be able to work with us. We would be happy just about anywhere in Cullman County if someone would be willing to work with us.
What if Karma does not find a place?
Fillmore spoke bluntly when she talked about the prospect of operating without a suitable facility:
“I will be frank. If we can’t find somewhere soon, I won’t be able to continue with this mission God placed on my heart, which means this Christmas, there will be over 200 children who will wake up and not find anything under their trees. Next year, 200 kids will have to start to school in old clothes and old backpack and no supplies. When each season changes, parents won’t be able to clothe their whole families’ wardrobe. The Karma food pantry won’t be able to take a load off the other area food pantries.”
Testimony
Volunteer Misty Davis, who was first a Karma client, said of her coworkers, “They are wonderful. The founder, Rachel Fillmore, is amazing; all the ladies I work with are amazing because of this organization. Now, even before I was a volunteer, they helped me and my family so much. Because of them, we never went hungry, thanks to their food bank. My kids had a Christmas when it looked hopeless, and they were able to start to school with school clothes and school supplies.”
Fillmore concluded, “We aren’t asking for help for us. We are asking for those 200 kids this Christmas, those families who need food, those kids next school year, all those families we have helped in the past, and those we will help in the future.”
Davis added, “We’re not in it for the glory; we’re in it for the love.”
Copyright 2021 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
