What Feed the Need Missions Means to Me

When I think about Feed The Need Missions and how it’s specifically impacted my immediate family and our family by marriage (we call ourselves the “Chamores,” which is a combination of our last names, Chastain and Gilmore). It is like witnessing a beautiful patchwork quilt of people coming together from all walks of life.

Our crew is a mix of city slickers and country folks, and while we may disagree about worldly topics, we’re all on the same page about Jesus—He is King, and we’re here to spread His love and make a difference in our community.

Sixty years separates the youngest from the oldest. But this generationally diverse group has shown me we can all serve. When asked what Feed the Need Missions means to them, or who they serve at the weekly sites, there was a unifying theme of love, compassion, and community.

Colton (7) sees Feed the Need Missions as a way to ensure nobody goes spiritually or physically hungry by sharing the gospel and burgers. Hope (12) keeps it simple but profound: “Jesus loves all people.” The way the little children see things so plainly is a testament to the simplicity of sharing God’s love.

Our teenagers, Cleo (13), Brooke (16), and Savannah (16), talk about how serving at Feed the Need Missions pushes them out of their comfort zones and lets them share Jesus’ love by building relationships. It’s inspiring to see the younger generation embracing the idea of community and spreading Jesus’ love.

Then we’ve got Jeremy, Kim, and Dana (20s/30s), who emphasize how diverse the Feed the Need Missions community is, with folks from all walks of life coming together. It’s like a big, loving family.

The more seasoned folks in our family—Susan, Waylon, Jack, Carol, and Floyd (40s-60s)—see Feed the Need Missions as a way to build a community, bring the message of Jesus outside the walls of a church, remind people that they’re loved, and give them a sense of purpose.

Waylon admitted that he wished Feed the Need Missions had been around earlier in his life. It might have led him to Jesus sooner. It’s incredible how personal experiences can drive our desire to help others.

In our diverse bunch (7-67 years old), Feed the Need Missions isn’t just a mission—it’s Jesus’ calling for every one of us, regardless of age. We are called to spread the gospel and build a body of disciples, which happens every week at each one of our sites.

The “Chamore” Family see God moving in their lives, the lives of all our volunteers, and our weekly guests. Feed the Need Missions brings people together, spreads love and compassion, and reminds us that every single one of us has a purpose in God’s grand plan.

We’re beyond thankful to Feed the Need Missions for being the bridge that brings two families together, not just through marriage–but through a simple meal.