Somewhere along the way, I am sure you have been asked to become a monthly donor for a nonprofit. Maybe several nonprofits have asked you. Maybe we’ve asked you.
Nonprofits are always so thankful for the people who support our organizations through their financial contributions or the giving of their time. We could not serve our communities without these supporters. But did you know there is a way to make your support go further? And it is easy. Simply sign up to become a monthly donor. Here are a few reasons why.
1) Helps with planning
This one might seem pretty obvious, but when a nonprofit knows it will receive a certain amount of donations each month from their monthly givers, it helps with budgeting and planning.
If a nonprofit doesn’t have monthly supporters, they’d be walking into each month a little blind, not sure how many people they could actually serve that month. And when you aren’t able to prepare well, things get missed and people can fall through the cracks.
For Feed the Need Missions, we count on the income from our monthly donors to provide a certain amount of burgers each month. If we look ahead and think we might be short for the upcoming month because we expect more people to come to our sites, it then allows us to adjust our other expenses or ask for more donations to be sure we are covered and can serve anyone who stops by.
Ultimately, when a nonprofit can plan and prepare better, they are able to serve more people. And isn’t that the goal of any nonprofit?
2) Frees up organization’s resources
When the majority of a nonprofit’s income are on auto-pilot through monthly giving, it allows the staff to focus on other things, like building relationships, than constantly looking for donations.
Leadership can focus on ways to grow the organization to reach more people. Staff has more time to get to know others in their towns, like leaders and other nonprofits, that they can partner with to work together and strengthen their communities. It might even allow the nonprofit to be able to thrive with less paid staff so that a higher percentage of their income goes directly back into their programs and services.
3) Makes it easy
This last one is not only a benefit to the nonprofit, but also the monthly donor.
We know your intentions are good and you meant to send in that donation, but life happens and maybe that check never got in the mail. Did you know most organizations can set up auto-pay for you so you don’t have to hunt for a stamp every time you want to give?
Setting up a recurring donation through your credit card or bank account takes forgetfulness out of the equation. You know you are truly helping your favorite nonprofit every month, and that nonprofit can count on you. But you know who benefits the most? The people the nonprofit serves.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up to be a monthly donor today, at Feed the Need Missions or another nonprofit you are passionate about. Your gifts will go further and make an even greater impact in your community.
Did you know?
On average each Feed the Need Missions community needs $2,500 in monthly pledges to cover all costs. That means all we need is 125 people from each community to commit to giving $20 a month to cover all costs for that community.
Plus, right now for a limited time, when you sign up to give $20 or more monthly, we will send you a free t-shirt as a thank you for partnering with us. So what are you waiting for? Sign up today!
PRAY & REFLECT WITH US: A NEW SCHOOL YEAR
The beginning of a new school year can elicit many different emotions. Parents have the pressures and stress of having to spend lots of money on new school clothes; children are often eager to meet new teachers, make new friends and share their stories of their summer adventures. Honestly, this preparation for a new start can cause students to feel sick with apprehension. For teachers, there may be anxieties surrounding the desire to ensure that all resources are in place for the first day of school.
Therefore, it is important to start the new school year in prayer, petitioning and thanksgiving to God; counteracting all worries. By doing so, you will experience the peace of God, thus guarding hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Pray with us for this years school year!
Beat the Heat, Part 2
July and August are the two hottest months in Texas. Check out this article to learn more about how you can stay cool.
Extreme Heat often results in the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards. In most of the United States, extreme heat is defined as a long period (2 to 3 days) of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees. In extreme heat, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. This can lead to death by overworking the human body. Remember that:
IF YOU ARE UNDER AN EXTREME HEAT WARNING:
Other resources: Do you know the difference between a Heat Outlook, Watch, & Warning? Learn about them today.
DISASTER RELIEF IN FRANKLIN, TEXAS
“I am exhausted,” said an officer from Franklin. If you haven’t heard, an F3 Tornado ripped through this small town in Texas. The Tornado destroyed a neighborhood and Feed the Need Missions was set up in the neighborhood to feed both the victims of the storm and the response teams for a week.
“This is my first time ever experiencing a disaster, and my heart hurts for those who are affected. You are never prepared for anything like this,” he said with tears in his eyes. “There’s not much we can do right now, other than being strong for our neighbors.” The officer was feeling the pain of those in his community who were suffering a devastating loss.
As he was walking away after getting a burger, he turned and looked at us and said “I can’t express enough how grateful we are to have you here. Everyone has been so helpful, and to see you sitting and spending time with people helps those in crisis. We can’t appreciate you enough, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
It’s never easy preparing for a disaster because a disaster “Just happens.” God knew the place we were suppose to be at the right time to help the community of Franklin, and to partner with a local BBQ restaurant and serve together. Not only was the Officer’s heart being changed but others that we served also.
PRAY & REFLECT WITH US: BEATING THE HEAT
Are you feeling the summer heat yet? Nothing like a cold lemonade or a dip the pool to help beat the summertime heat. Perhaps the heat you’re currently experiencing is not so easily curbed. Are you feeling the heat of turbulent times? We should expect trials as followers of Jesus. In fact, James tells us we should consider them “great joy.”
“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 (CSB)
James’ words seem counter intuitive. I should have “great joy” in the midst of my suffering. A little perspective may help. We often think of testing in the pass/fail sense, but James’ use of this word is different, and understanding what he meant brings great clarity.
Testing in this passage is the process used in silversmithing to purify silver. Silver is heated to the point of melting, which causes impurities to rise to the surface and are scraped off. The Silversmith repeats this process until there are no impurities left. He knows the silver to be completely pure when he is able to see his refection perfectly in the silver.
Jesus uses trials in our lives to do exactly what the Silversmith does, use the heat in our lives to draw out our impurities until he see’s his perfect reflection in us. That’s why we can “consider it great joy.”
God loves us too much to leave us in our mess. His love is drawing us closer to Him and His likeness.
Join me in prayer:
Jesus, thank you for the change you bring to my life, and thank you for the trials you use to draw me closer to you. Jesus, help me to find joy in the heated trials of my life. Thank you for loving me where I am and also for loving me so much you refuse to leave me in my mess. Allow me to see and celebrate trials you have already lead me through so I can give you the praise you deserve.
Amen.
Beat the Heat, Part 1
Summer is here and we have a few important things for you to keep in mind to help “Beat the Heat” and how Feed the Need Missions is going to help the communities we serve.
According to an article from the City of Houston Health Department, people die each year from extreme heat. And some suffer from serious physical illnesses because of the high heat and humidity in Texas.
Here are a few physical illnesses to watch for during extreme heat temperatures:
If you experience any of these please seek emergency help immediately.
What is Feed the Need Missions doing to help “Beat the Heat”?
Join us the second week in July at a site closest to you for watermelon and popsicles! Come cool off with us with a sweet treat and, of course, a free meal.
3 Reasons to Sign Up for Monthly Giving Today
Somewhere along the way, I am sure you have been asked to become a monthly donor for a nonprofit. Maybe several nonprofits have asked you. Maybe we’ve asked you.
Nonprofits are always so thankful for the people who support our organizations through their financial contributions or the giving of their time. We could not serve our communities without these supporters. But did you know there is a way to make your support go further? And it is easy. Simply sign up to become a monthly donor. Here are a few reasons why.
1) Helps with planning
This one might seem pretty obvious, but when a nonprofit knows it will receive a certain amount of donations each month from their monthly givers, it helps with budgeting and planning.
If a nonprofit doesn’t have monthly supporters, they’d be walking into each month a little blind, not sure how many people they could actually serve that month. And when you aren’t able to prepare well, things get missed and people can fall through the cracks.
For Feed the Need Missions, we count on the income from our monthly donors to provide a certain amount of burgers each month. If we look ahead and think we might be short for the upcoming month because we expect more people to come to our sites, it then allows us to adjust our other expenses or ask for more donations to be sure we are covered and can serve anyone who stops by.
Ultimately, when a nonprofit can plan and prepare better, they are able to serve more people. And isn’t that the goal of any nonprofit?
2) Frees up organization’s resources
When the majority of a nonprofit’s income are on auto-pilot through monthly giving, it allows the staff to focus on other things, like building relationships, than constantly looking for donations.
Leadership can focus on ways to grow the organization to reach more people. Staff has more time to get to know others in their towns, like leaders and other nonprofits, that they can partner with to work together and strengthen their communities. It might even allow the nonprofit to be able to thrive with less paid staff so that a higher percentage of their income goes directly back into their programs and services.
3) Makes it easy
This last one is not only a benefit to the nonprofit, but also the monthly donor.
We know your intentions are good and you meant to send in that donation, but life happens and maybe that check never got in the mail. Did you know most organizations can set up auto-pay for you so you don’t have to hunt for a stamp every time you want to give?
Setting up a recurring donation through your credit card or bank account takes forgetfulness out of the equation. You know you are truly helping your favorite nonprofit every month, and that nonprofit can count on you. But you know who benefits the most? The people the nonprofit serves.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up to be a monthly donor today, at Feed the Need Missions or another nonprofit you are passionate about. Your gifts will go further and make an even greater impact in your community.
Did you know?
On average each Feed the Need Missions community needs $2,500 in monthly pledges to cover all costs. That means all we need is 125 people from each community to commit to giving $20 a month to cover all costs for that community.
Plus, right now for a limited time, when you sign up to give $20 or more monthly, we will send you a free t-shirt as a thank you for partnering with us. So what are you waiting for? Sign up today!
Pray & Reflect With Us: Summer
All of us have so much to be thankful for each day. When we awake to a new day, when a friend is in touch with us, for the food we eat, for the water that flows into our homes, for flowers, birds, trees, our health and doctors.
Thanking God should be part of our daily lives. It is also good to tell God about worries and concerns: about relationship, family, finances, summer. Sharing those thoughts with God will often help to learn the burdens we carry.
Summer can be hard on families. They have more meals they need to provide for their children. Some don’t have air conditioning or clean water to drink. We ask for your prayers during this time of year as stresses can be higher.
A Bible verse that comes to mind is: John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
We hope your days will shine even brighter on these beautiful summer days. Have a happy summer!
Story: Vasquez Family
The Vasquez family of seven struggles to make ends meet. During the school year, the free and reduced feeding programs at school make meals easier for their family. Now that summer is coming, they frequently eat their dinners with us at Feed the Need Missions on Sundays at the Bastrop North site.
“We are a large family. My husband works full time and I take care of the children. Sometimes it’s hard to feed 7 people and during the summer it’s even harder. We like to come for free burgers. It helps my family so much. I can’t buy much meat during the summer because I have to buy more food for us. Thank you so much for feeding us.”
The Vasquez family has been coming to the Bastrop North site for the past 2 years. “Sometimes my children like to come and serve with you. It’s a way we can say thank you.”
Food, Friends & Hope
Mike has been coming to the Bastrop North site for a few years. When he first started coming he was very shy and wouldn’t talk to anyone. Over the years, trust has been built and he’s now more comfortable talking with us.
He’s currently living in Elgin, but still comes to the site when he’s in town. On a recent visit to our site he was asked how he was doing. With a smile on his face he replied, “Good. I’m living in Elgin with some friends, and looking for a job.” Mike enjoys life and loves to walk around the community listening to his favorite music.
“How has Feed the Need Missions helped you,” we asked him. “You give me food, friends and hope” he replied. Please continue to pray for Mike as he seeks for a job, and also for peace and comfort in the Lord.
Never-ending JOY!
Barbara, a retired gym teacher from Franklin, Texas lost her home in the Franklin F3 Tornado. “I was laying on my bedroom floor when the roof was lifted off of my house,” she said. Her aged father was in a closet in the hallway. “All I could do was pray, and pray hard,” she said with tears.
She brings so much joy to her community, before and after the tornado. In fact, people kept telling us how much joy she still brings to them even though she lost everything, including her three vehicles. When asked about her joy, she said, “Why let it get you down? All lives were spared by the grace of God. He didn’t have to do that.”
Like Barbara, many others got to experience what the love of Christ is all about. “I came here every morning, and every evening and sometimes at lunch time too. I could have easily went to other places giving out free food, but there is just something special about you people, I know it’s God, but come on, there must be something else,” she would tell us with a hug.
Barbara touched our hearts too. Watching the joy and her being strong for her community was endless. She welcomed everyone with open arms and asked every single person how they were doing. Some days she cried, but most days she had a smile. On our last day of serving she came by and hugged us all and said, “You have helped me so much in ways I can’t even describe, if my house is built by Christmas, you can all come to my house for Christmas dinner so I can feed you like you did for me and the community.”
Feed the Need Missions has wrapped up our time serving those affected by the tornado in Franklin, Texas, however we are always preparing to respond to the next disaster.
Can you partner with Feed the Need Missions and help us be prepared when a disaster strikes by providing a donation today? Simply click the donate button and designate your gift to disaster relief. Thank you!