Wayne Shepherd talks with Jenny Waltman, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Grace Klein Community in Birmingham, Alabama. (click for more)
- A ministry dedicated to serving underprivileged and disadvantaged people, rooted in biblical principles.
- Website: https://gracekleincommunity.com
- Jenny's Book: God Chose the Wrong Person can be found here.
- Jenny and her husband lost their construction business (approx. $400,000).
- Moved into a high-value house zoned for an inner-city school.
- Their daughter attended, exposing them to stark poverty.
- A birthday party experience highlighted contrasts in wealth and living conditions, deeply impacting them.
- Convicted of being “frauds” for not living out their faith in service.
- Within 24 hours, others confirmed God’s call to begin feeding food-insecure families.
- 2009 launch: started serving 58 families.
- Today: 20,000 people served weekly.
Mission & Ministry
- Grace Klein = “little gift from God”; community = koinonia (deep fellowship).
- Primary work: food support.
- Broader care: Bible studies, diapers, school supplies, Christmas outreach, community gatherings.
- Operates in 32 of 67 Alabama counties; goal: statewide, replicable model.
- Collaborative approach: businesses, churches, nonprofits, schools, municipalities.
Scale & Growth
- Budget in 2010: $14,000.
- Budget in 2025: $34 million (cash + in-kind).
- 1,013 partner organizations (Jan–July 2025).
- ~40 staff, thousands of volunteers (saving ~$3M in wage dollars annually).
- Facilities: 10 locations, 300+ distribution partners, 7 drive-throughs. Food turns over within 24 hours.
Approach
- Collaboration: everyone brings something to the table.
- Recipients are also contributors, reflecting biblical sharing (Acts, Corinthians).
- Theme 2025: “It’s not about us.” Focus on Jesus, love, forgiveness, unity.
- Works to shift Birmingham’s global reputation from hate (civil rights era) to love.
Global Connection
- Partnering with Beats and Books in South Africa.
- Building unity across races and cultures, learning from each other.
- Exchange of teams between South Africa and Alabama.
- Birmingham’s “Stronger Award” extended internationally.
Replication & Education
- Uses Food Rescue US app: mobilizes volunteers for daily food pickup (6 a.m.–11 p.m.).
- Donors protected under the Emerson Act (Good Samaritan law).
- U.S. food waste (40%) can be redirected to food-insecure (1 in 4 Alabamians).
- Teaches others how to replicate the model in their communities.
Impact Story
- Woman from Colombia, initially angry and facing custody issues.
- Grace Klein invested in her spiritually and practically.
- Over five years, she softened, grew in intimacy with Christ, and now impacts her community.
Jenny’s Perspective
- Wrote book: God Chose the Wrong Person.
- Believes God uses the “wrong” people to fulfill His purposes.
- Emphasizes surrender and reliance on Jesus.
Prayer Requests
- For staff and volunteers to remain focused on Jesus.
- To not “grow weary in doing good.”
NEXT WEEK: Jonathon Seidl, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic
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