Local unity with boots on the ground. In this week’s episode of The Town Square Podcast, Trey and Gabriel sit down with Claudia Minge of Covington First United Methodist Church and Margaret McDonald, Executive Director of Giving Hands Food Pantry. Together, they unpack one of the most joy-filled, service-driven traditions in our community: Change The World Day—coming Saturday, October 25, 2025, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM, on the Covington First UMC campus (Conyers St., near the Square).

If you’ve never been, think massive community service fair + fall festival + resource clinic + free food + gifts of grace—all in one place, all in one afternoon, all free. It’s the perfect picture of our podcast’s heartbeat: unity, not uniformity—the messy middle made practical.

Episode Snapshot

• What: Change The World Day—Newton County’s signature serve-together event
• When: Saturday, Oct 25, 2025 • 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Where: Covington First United Methodist Church campus (Conyers St., near the Square)
• Why it matters: One day to rally the whole community around compassion, connection, and practical help, while spotlighting year-round ministries like Giving Hands Food Pantry
• Cost: FREE for attendees. Nothing is sold. Everything is offered as a gift.

“Change the World” started as a challenge—now it’s a Newton County tradition

Seventeen years ago, an email landed in Claudia’s inbox—a United Methodist challenge inspired by pastor/author Mike Slaughter’s book Change the World: “Take ministry outside the walls for one day.” Covington First UMC grabbed the baton, learned from year one, and moved the event to Fall to better serve our local rhythm.

From there, it grew—on purpose. Instead of one project, Claudia and a small team imagined a multi-faceted serve daythat could meet real needs, showcase local help, and spark partnerships that last all year. Today, churches, civic groups, nonprofits, schools, health providers, and local businesses flood the campus—each bringing a piece of the puzzle. As Claudia says, “We’re better together.”

What you’ll experience on Oct 25

Easy parking & shuttles. Volunteer golf-cart drivers scoop up guests from surrounding parking areas and drop you right at the action.

Front Campus: Community Service Fair + Fall Fun

• Resource booths from health providers, counselors, civic clubs, schools, recreation, and local businesses
• On-site health services (historically including the Health Department, Piedmont Newton, and Willing Helpers): BP/glucose checks, vaccines & screenings
• Live music from the front steps “stage”
• Free food stations (multiple partner groups pitch in—think sliders, wings, popcorn, iced coffee, and more)
• Zero cost, zero sales—100% hospitality

Back Campus: “Gifts of Grace”

• Giving Hands Food Pantry big-tent “market” with grocery carts so families can shop a curated path of shelf-stable goods and fresh produce (sourced via Atlanta Community Food Bank)
• Warm clothing (racks and racks—adults and kids), blankets, socks, gloves, winter caps, diapers, and hygiene/health kits
• Free haircuts and on-site partners who can connect guests to follow-up resources
• Golf carts help guests get groceries and goods back to their cars

“It’s the happiest day—smiles, hugs, conversations everywhere. You see community.” —Claudia

Why this day unifies Newton County

Change The World Day dissolves the usual lines—denominational, organizational, even “who hosts what.” Claudia is crystal-clear: Covington First UMC simply hosts because the campus can handle the footprint; the entire communitymakes the day work. Groups wear their own swag—you’ll see a sea of shirts from dozens of churches, clubs, teams, schools, and nonprofits. It’s visual unity—one campus, many colors, one mission.

Part of the secret sauce? Networking. For many leaders, CTWD is the one day they’re all in the same place, forging new connections that become co-ops, referrals, and joint projects for the other 364 days.

The year-round engine: Giving Hands Food Pantry

Change The World Day amplifies the daily work of Giving Hands Food Pantry—and Margaret’s team is humming:

• Serving ~200 families every week
• Office hours: Tue–Thu, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM (there’s always something happening behind the scenes)
• Fresh produce + grocery staples through partner donations and ACFB
• Volunteers welcome for morning “stock & prep” shifts or afternoon “guest support & loading” shifts
• New 16’ refrigerated box truck (no CDL required) to pick up store donations—drivers needed!

“People leave with dignity—and good food. Volunteers go home tired in the best way.” —Margaret

Get involved: givinghandsfoodpantry.org

Sign up to volunteer, donate, or join the newsletter. (They also list opportunities via Hands On Atlanta.)

How to plug in (before, during, and after)

Right now (before Oct 25):

• Host a 2-week food drive at your church, school, business, or neighborhood (peanut butter, canned vegetables, staples are always winners).
• Make a financial gift to help expand “Gifts of Grace” purchasing power for the big day.
• Offer a booth (service/resource providers): Claudia will find space.

Day-of (Oct 25):

• Just show up with friends, kids, neighbors—11:00 AM–2:00 PM.
• Walk the whole campus (front and back).
• Come hungry (it’s free!) and bring a welcoming smile—hospitality is the vibe.

After the day:

• Adopt Giving Hands for a recurring food drive, monthly volunteer slot, or store-run driving team.
• Book a booth for 2026: Watch for the date at the end of this year; registration typically opens in January at CovingtonFirst.org.
• Partner up—if there’s already “a wheel rolling,” jump on it rather than reinventing.

A story that says it all

One year, a dad tapped Claudia’s arm, coats draped over his shoulders.

“My family comes every year for warm coats.”

That’s the whole point: meet real needs, preserve dignity, and make sure people leave better than they came—body, mind, and soul.

Important Links

• Change The World Day Info & Registration (host site): CovingtonFirst.org
• Giving Hands Food Pantry (volunteer/donate): givinghandsfoodpantry.org
• Hands On Atlanta (find volunteer listings): handsonatlanta.org
• The Town Square Podcast (all episodes & to donate): thetownsquarepodcast.com

Please Like, Subscribe & SHARE

If this episode inspires you, share it on your socials and tag a friend you want beside you on Oct 25. Ratings and reviews on Apple Podcasts and Spotify help more neighbors find the show.

The Town Square Podcast runs on community gifts. If our “messy middle” conversations help strengthen Newton County, consider a one-time gift or a small $2 or $5 monthly donation to keep this local storytelling going:

👉 thetownsquarepodcast.com/donate

Thank You to Our Sponsors

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Ready to roll up your sleeves? We’ll see you October 25th, 11–2, at Covington First UMC. It will change your world—and ours.