Jenny Waltman

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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