By LINDA MALONE / Community Columnist

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

Love is what you see, feel and taste when talking with Mrs. Della Pender, the founder of God’s Outreach Center in Harpersville.

Mrs. Pender is one of the most gracious and loving individuals you will ever come across. She is full of love and hope for all of God’s living things.

Mrs. Pender does not just talk the talk; she walks the walk, as demonstrated in her faith and calling in this world, especially in Harpersville.

With all of her personal savings, she purchased a building in Harpersville on U.S. 280 so that she could provide for individuals and families in need of food, clothing and counseling.

God’s Outreach Center has been in operation since 1998, and the center opened in 2005.

Mrs. Pender has reached more than 40 families with her love and kindness.

She has touched more lives than she could possibly imagine, especially mine.

She told me a particularly beautiful story about a very young couple who stopped by the center for assistance.

The young woman was with child, and Mrs. Pender asked them if they were married? The answer was no.

Mrs. Pender went on to talk with the couple and asked if they wanted to be married and the young man responded yes.

Marriage was something that had never occurred to the couple.

Mrs. Pender went on to tell the couple that if they wanted to be married, then the center would give them a wedding.

The young lady cried with joy.

This is just one example of the type of concern that the center shows for people in need, some time of just conversation and knowledge of the right way to go to receive blessings in life.

The Center has a women’s room that has all of the items that a woman could possibly need, arranged according to sizes (dresses, shirts, pants, underwear, etc.).

Then there is a men’s room, toy room and girls’ and boys’ rooms.

All items in the Center are donated and given freely to those in need.

Mrs. Pender’s profession is that of a realtor. She is a sales manager in the Mt Laurel community.

She feels that she was placed in this position for a reason, and she experiences this reason every day.

People in this community are always giving Mrs. Pender quality items needed for the Center.

The God’s Outreach Center is located at 4418 U.S. 280, Harpersville, Ala. 35051. This is a 501C3 Independent Organization and all donations are tax deductible.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please call Mrs. Pender at 540-1870.

Linda Malone, the community columnist for Harpersville, can be reached at Malo2211@bellsouth.net.