About us
At Lake Christian Ministries (LCM), we're dedicated to supporting our neighbors in need with compassion and hope. Since our inception in 1992, we've been driven by the belief that every individual deserves dignity, connection, and a pathway to a better future. LCM serves low-income residents of Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania counties.
Through the generosity of individuals, churches, organizations, and businesses, we provide essential resources such as food, clothing, household items, and crisis financial aid. Our New Tomorrows Program offers personalized support, empowering our neighbors to overcome barriers and build more secure lives.
LCM's recent facility expansion reflects our commitment to meeting growing needs. A second building was added to the LCM Campus in the fall of 2024 that provides an expanded clothing area, furniture warehouse, and the Wish You Well Learning Center. LCM’s existing building was renovated to provide space to host our community partners who work with us on-site to efficiently address the needs of vulnerable families with food, health, housing, and job readiness services.
What we do
Nourish our community with a central food pantry and two mobile food pantries.
Foster warmth and comfort through clothing, household items, and appliances.
Empower neighbors with our New Tomorrows program, supporting them in overcoming barriers and building a more secure future for themselves and their families.
Extend a helping hand through crisis financial assistance, providing direct payments for housing, utilities, medical, dental, prescription drug expenses, and tailored aid for special situations.
Spread joy during holidays with thoughtfully crafted food baskets for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Brighten children's lives with programs like "A Child’s Christmas" and ensuring a positive start to the school year through back-to-school supplies.
At LCM, each service is a testament to our commitment to positively impacting the lives of our neighbors in need.
Our history
Established in September 1992, Lake Christian Ministries initially operated from various SML locations. In 1998, the Cappellari family relocated their business, Capps Home Building Center, to Westlake and generously donated their former facility to LCM. With the ardent support of volunteers, the space underwent renovations and reopened in early 1999.
Over the years, Lake Christian Ministries’ services and programs significantly expanded. The existing facility faced space constraints. In response, a successful capital campaign was launched in 2021 and successfully completed in 2023 to generate $1 million to construct a second building.
In September 2024, Lake Christian Ministries opened Building 2 adjacent to the existing one. This new facility houses a clothing area, furniture warehouse, and a Wish You Well Learning Center, ensuring Lake Christian Ministries continues to meet the growing needs of the community with compassion and dedication.
2025 by the numbers:
Food assistance to fulfill over 15,226 requests, which provided 267,880 meals for food-insecure families – a 12% increase over 2024.
A mobile food pantry provided monthly food assistance to 60 families in the Penhook area.
Partnerships with SML Gives, Inc. and Franklin County Community Health workers to deliver monthly food supplies from LCM to 35 neighbors who are shut-in at home due to health, age, and/or disability.
Crisis financial aid was provided to support 1,426 individuals in 488 families. A total of $200,000 was paid directly to service providers for housing, utilities, medical, dental and prescription drug expenses, and other types of crisis assistance.
Individual relationship-based support for 342 neighbors through the New Tomorrow’s Program. LCM staff and volunteers work together with neighbors one-on-one to make the best use of available services within LCM and in the community; engage in educational support; make community connections; and work toward job readiness. Participation in the New Tomorrow’s Program has increased by 32% over the last two years.
Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World classes have benefited over 145 individuals over the past ten years, helping them move from crisis to a more secure future.
A series of short courses and certification classes are offered each year to help stabilize neighbors and encourage job readiness – financial management; and in partnership with Bedford Adult Education - hospitality classes including customer service, prep chef, and hospitality maintenance.
Holiday food baskets for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter to more than 3,200 individuals.
Back-to-school supplies to 250 children in grades K-12.
Warm clothing and gifts to 808 children in vulnerable families, through “A Child’s Christmas.”
280 volunteers provided 34,200 volunteer hours to administer LCM’s programs and services.
Board of Directors
Officers
Board Chair – Dave Banks
Vice Chair – Derek Layman
Secretary – Kate Ellis
Treasurer – Paul Marx
Committee Chairs
Governance Committee – Derek Layman
Communications Committee – Andie Gibson
Finance Committee – Dave Banks
Fund Development Committee – Jane Winters
Planned Giving Committee – Jim Gilbert
Members at Large
Carl Cline
Ron Williard, II
Rich Sours
Bob Evans
Denny Huff
Jim Weaver
James Gilbert, IV
Andie Gibson
Julie VerSluis
Rev. Jeffrey White
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”