Hungry children tug at Robert Stone's heart. So do people without warm bedding in the wintertime.

Doing something about both those needs puts Stone, a Wood River-based evangelist and missionary, on the road each month.

He logs about 1,400 miles each month with his Christ Cares Ministry, taking a truck full of supplies to Bradshaw, W.Va., Bandy, Va., and Booneville, Ky. -- and many more miles driving throughout Missouri, Indiana and Illinois, including a stop in Kinderhook, picking up donated clothing, food and other items.

The comforters made by the Sew and Sews group based at the House of Prayer in Kinderhook "will mean a great deal to people in need, especially this time of year," Stone said.

Stone's ministry has grown over 11 years from serving one to three communities and from filling a pickup truck to a 16-passenger van pulling a trailer to a box truck.

"It's a little tough filling the big box truck, but it's amazing. The Lord has done it each time," Stone said. "It's the Lord's work. I appreciate being able to do it."

-- Deborah Gertz Husar