Motive Matters in a Mission
Mission statements are important.
Simply put, they are an organization’s what—as in “what we do.” Carefully crafted statements of intent, these manifestos are a tool that unifies a team with a task-focused purpose. Mission statements are a necessary part of internal communication, as they clarify specific objectives and expectations. They drive (or deter) activity. Externally, mission statements are important outreach tools. They enable people in need of a service to find it, and they also connect an organizations with individuals who might choose to join or support the cause.
However, as well thought-out and appealing as any organization’s “what” might be— the “why” is equally as important.
Mission statements are action-based, but they must be developed in tandem with a specific motivation. While mission statements provide information, it’s the heart behind an organization that stirs necessary passion. The “why” brings the emotional and spiritual aspects into play. It makes it personal, connecting people who share a set of values and beliefs to a set of goals. And this galvanizes resolve. Ageeing on the “why” behind the “what” strengthens individuals to push through resistance, change, discomfort, turnover, exhaustion, inconvenience, and sacrifice that inevitably come over time in any organizational endeavor.
The Motive Behind the Feed the Need Mission
At Feed the Need Missions, our mission is to mobilize believers to feed people physically and spiritually in their communities, while actively building disciple-making relationships.
In other words, we are a food-related ministry that equips Christians to fulfill the divine call on their lives to love others (John 13:34) and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). While that all begins with the firing up of a grill to fill hungry bellies, our ultimate goal is to build relationships so that we can grow the Kingdom of God in depth and breadth.
But why do we do what we do?
If you’ve visited one of our eight Feed the Need Missions site locations, or attended one of our events, you wouldn’t have difficulty discovering why. The answer is printed on nearly everything, from the volunteer attire to vinyl signs, supply trailers and more:
We love because He first loved us.
-1 John 4:19
This Scripture reference serves as an ever-present visual reminder of our “why.” Simply put, we are compelled to share the love Christ because of the way we have personally experienced it. We do what we do because we have encountered the living God, Jesus Christ. Our action is in response to our gratitude for the hope He has instilled in us.
We do what we do because Scripture challenges us to reciprocate toward God by caring for others. And this is almost an instinctive reaction, because we truly want others to have the opportunity to share in the joy, transformation and healing He makes possible. Whether at our site cookouts, when dispatch disaster relief teams, or in planning any planned event. The heart behind the hamburger is the love of God. All that we do is in order to put it on full display.
What is Love According to the Bible?
In basing our motivation on biblical love, it follows that we should be careful to understand the nature of biblical love.
First, it is distinctive from the world’s concept of love. Today’s cultural perception of love is often short-lived, because it is based on personal gain, fleeting emotion, physical attraction, or convenience. Biblical love, by contrast, perseveres because it is rooted in so much more than feelings or circumstances. Holy love is a commitment to a lifestyle of action. When the Bible instructs us to love, often its meaning is synonymous with others-focused service (1 John 3:18).
Jesus, the embodiment of divine love, spent His ministry years meeting the physical, social and spiritual needs of others. He loved by offering meals, grieving with those who had lost loved ones, giving encouragement, teaching and training, healing wounds, giving counsel, interceding, intervening with literally everything He had to connect people to His father and His church. He expects nothing less that this from us. In fact, he warns of the judgement to come in Matthew 25, making that the mark of a true believer is sacrificial loving actions toward “even the least of these.”
Biblical love is not based on deservedness. Flawed, selfish, sinful human beings receive grace as a gift from a perfect God. No one can possibly deserve it. And yet, He reaches out. He pursues. He blesses. He heals and forgives. And so, as image bearers, we must extend the love outward to others in the same way. Without distinction. Without preference. As Christ-followers, we can help dismantle the flawed thinking that people have to ‘clean up” to come to God. Jesus was a diety who ran to others in humble service, rather than making demands. Just as God offered to us openly to consistently, and unconditionally, so we must do the same.
Share the Love with Feed the Need Missions
What is your “why?” Have you discovered a way to connect your values to a mission in active service? If you’re passionate about loving others God’s way, making disciples, sharing the Gospel, meeting physical and spiritual needs, or sharing your testimony, we would love to connect with you! Visit our website for more information about how to get involved.
Humble, Hungry Smart: Site Leadership at Feed the Need Missions
The Right Stuff: What Makes a Great Site Coordinator
For Feed the Need Missions, recruiting superstar leaders is serious business—especially when it comes to the site coordinator position. In considering a potential leader, we look for three important qualities, taken from Patrick Lencioni’s book The Ideal Team Player.
Humble
Hungry
Smart
Site coordinators are the main leaders for the site teams. These have to be so well-rounded because they do it all: they recruit, equip, disciple, oversee, encourage, and develop as they serve in this administrative role. And they are tasked with surrounding themselves with gifted, dedicated individuals that can fill the various lead roles for a site.
Change Coming to the Newark Site
Scottlan and Ronnette Stewart have been the site leaders at the Newark Feed the Need Missions site since its launch in 2018. “In that time, Scottlan has done an incredible job building relationships, coaching churchgoers toward stepping in to active disciple-making in the field. “It’s one of the most special aspects about this site,” shares Feed the Need Missions President Jonah Beyer.
Recently, Scottlan took a new job and made a move further away from the site. It has become increasingly difficult for him to make to the site each week. Being in he midst of such a big transition for his family, he has realized it might be the right time to pass the torch to a new site leader. “Thankfully, he’s done a great job of raising up leaders,” Jonah said. So, the staff team and the Stewarts began to prayerfully seek out who could step up as the new Site Coordinator.
The Search for a New Leader
When it came to selecting a new site leader, the challenge was that there were so many invested and skilled volunteers to choose from.
While because of her unassuming humility she wasn’t the most obvious choice, the team came to the unanimous conclusion that Edie Lieblang was just the person to take the helm. Edie attended the very first Newark training and has been serving since the site began meeting. She has been a consistent presence, she loves the people in the community, and she’s administrative. “I’ve watched her grow personally and I see how she’s risen to the challenge of sharing the gospel herself. I think the opportunities she’s had with Feed the Need Missions have helped her grow perfectly into this role,” Jonah said.
A New Team for Newark
With so many great leaders to choose from, it became clear that God was orchestrating more than a single position for Newark, but rather an entire team. As Edie transitions to the Site Coordinator position, Dana will become the Guest Experience coordinator, Dennis will become the volunteer experience coordinator, and Larry will become the Equipment Manager. Because of their incredible and varied skills, it made sense to ask Larry, Dennis and Dana to fill leadership positions in an official capacity as well.
What an incredible testament to Scottlan and Ronnette’s leadership to have replicated so many leaders for this season. We are so thankful for the investment they have made and the groundwork they have laid at the Newark site location. And we are thrilled to see what will happen with this amazing new leadership team stepping into place.
Interested in Becoming a Leader with Feed the Need Missions?
It is so exciting to watch God build and assemble new teams. It’s incredible to watch leaders replicate new leaders and support one another as they serve together. And there’s always room for one more!
We are always on the search for leaders who are humble, hungry and smart. Are you looking for ways to share the Gospel? Are you passionate about serving your community? About growing teams and discipling hearts? Come visit one of our site locations. Reach out to our team. We’d love to connect and serve alongside you!
Disaster in My Own Backyard
Unfamiliar Territory
Blessed to be a Blessing
You Gain When You Give
Get Involved in Disaster Relief
AmazonSmile: A Hassle-Free Way to Give While You Shop Online
The Modern Shopping Experience
Many of us can remember a time before the rise of the internet allowed us to shop online. Getting the best deal required things like checking a newspaper, cutting a coupon, or getting up before the sun to access the big sales. We were limited by store hours and stocked shelves. But no longer.
Since 1995, when online shopping began with Amazon and a few other companies, we’ve seen convenience accelerate at lightning speed. No longer does a good deal necessitate such sacrifice and restriction. These days, a simple download of an app, or a click of a button, and our wares arrive right at our door at a bargain price. And not just big ticket items. Groceries. School supplies. You name it.
Now, online shopping accounts for almost 28% of all shopping. That’s one in four people. And since 2013, shoppers have been able to take that convenience even further to do some meaningful giving back while shopping—through a program called AmazonSmile. With the simple click of a button, you can shop for a cause and have big impact in your community.
What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon. The specially allocated site donates .5% of the price of eligible purchases to the shopper’s preferred charitable organization. This might seem like a pretty small amount, but the numbers add up. As of March of this year, organizations around the world have racked up nearly $400 million in donations, with virtually no cost or hassle. That’s worth investigating.
How Do I Get Started with AmazonSmile?
To begin donating, head to the AmazonSmile page from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. Click “Get Started.” Amazon uses the same account for Amazon and AmazonSmile, so if you already have an Amazon account, you’ll be prompted to sign in. If not, you’ll set up your free account. This is a bonus, because you’ll find your previous shopping, wish lists, and registries right there.
Next, you’ll choose your preferred organization. Make sure you choose “Feed the Need Missions” in the search bar. You’ll know it’s us by the Bastrop location. We are listed as a Human Service organization. Once you select us, you can start shopping. Just make sure that you’re on the AmazonSmile page when you start adding things to your cart.
Something to note—not all amazon items are eligible for AmazonSmile donations. Make sure you look for “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” stamp in the product’s description. If it is not there, the product will not count toward your total donation.
Watch Your Impact Grow
Once you start shopping, you’ll be able to track your contributions to see your impact grow. You’ll receive periodic statements via email, or you can simply click on the “Supporting” tab at the top left of the screen when you log in. There you’ll see what you’ve accumulated, as well as the total donations to Feed the Need Missions.
Guilt-Free Shopping
With online shopping becoming the growing norm, why not connect yours to a great cause? Shake off the guilt for spending by adding some community impact. We’d love for you to support Feed the Need Missions through your shopping so that you can enjoy knowing while you’re getting what you need, you’re also giving back physically and spiritually to those in need.
Charley: A Story of Faithfulness
What is Faithfulness?
What does faithfulness look like? While you could simply Google a definition, we have discovered that the most vibrant definition of this most excellent trait is best understood as it is lived out and witnessed by others. Faithfulness is active.
To grasp it, you have to understand it’s root— faith. The Bible defines faith as “being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). In other words, faith begins with trust. A trust in Jesus’ plan for you that surpasses feelings, circumstances and even understanding.
Faith turns in to faithfulness when a person takes that inward heart posture of trust and allows it to saturate and dictate their mindset, their words, their decisions and their attitudes. Within Feed the Need Missions, there are many people that exemplify faithfulness. Our friend Charley is one of them.
Faithful People Deflect from Self
People who are faithful don’t do what they do because they want accolades or attention. In fact, they often downplay their impact and quickly point to the One who has given them this transformational power. Charley is a great example of this.
Charley has been serving with Feed the Need Missions for more than four years. Though he is a model of faithfulness to everyone around him, he has a reluctancy to share. This comes from a place of reverence for Jesus and all that He has done in his life.
When you ask him how and why he got involved at Feed the Need Missions, Charley is quick to deflect from himself. “I wanted to give back something to Jesus since He has given me so much. I wanted to do great things.” He simply does what he does because he is grateful for what Jesus has done for him. “I realize it’s not about me. I need to take a back seat and allow God to do great things through me.”
Charley also highlights the examples of other godly men who instigated his involvement. He recalls that it was an invitation of his pal John Reese that prompted him to get started serving. “Because of my schedule I couldn’t get involved until I was retired. Now I can’t imagine not being involved.”
Faithful People Reflect Jesus
If you were to encounter Charley today, you would know you are loved. Not just by Charley, but also by Jesus. That is the impact he has on others. While Charley may not highlight himself, we can look to what others observe about him to see the impact of his faithfulness. The way those who serve alongside him see him is more powerful than anything he could say about himself. Here are a few fellow volunteers who have personally experienced Charley’s lifestyle of trust.
Allen: Faithfulness is Contagious
“Charley has a quiet demeanor and likes to help people. Because of him, so do I. I learned from him not to give up on people. He is one of a kind and an honest man. He never gave up on me.”
Frank: Faithfulness Embraces Everyone
“We went to Texas Baptist men for a few years together. I was at the church and was power washing one day when a homeless man walked up to me and put his arm around me. I didn’t know how to react and was fearful of what might have happened. Then Charley came up to him. He spoke to this man with a kind and sincere heart. He showed me how to care. He’s the perfect example of a solid Christian man.”
Don: Faithfulness is Care-FULL with People
“Charley and I know each other from Calvary Baptist. I started volunteering up at the church and he always asked me how I was doing. It was his patience that drew me to him. Charley has a real Jesus-focused heart. The way he handles people is a real gift.”
Tommy: Faithfulness Brings Others Along
“When Charley was asked to pull the trailer to the Stony Point site, I decided to go with him and help him at the site. I learned so much about helping others because of Charley. He’s a great man with great faith. He is best brother-in-law I could ever have.”
Faithful People Enable Others
The impact of faithfulness in the lives of others is powerful. It is so important to remember that people are watching. More than our words, people remember how we make them feel. It isn’t the result of just one encounter, but an accumulation of conversations and divine appointments over time. “I’ve realized the Lord was teaching me to allow Him to use others to reach the Gospel. As I’m serving I pray for those in line and for the servers that are reaching them,” he shares.
While faithfulness comes in many forms, what we learn from Charley’s story is that a deep trust in Christ allows us the freedom to let others feel seen and valued. It takes others on with open arms and without fear. It enables and activates others. Ask yourself, what is the cumulative impact you are having on others?
We invite you to come and experience faithfulness first hand. Come on by our Stony Point site any time. Grab a free burger, allow our team of loving volunteers to pray over you, and meet Charley. And, if you dare, take a step in faith and begin to have this kind of impact on others around you as a Feed the Need Missions volunteer. We can’t wait to meet you.
A Hunger for More: Allen’s Story
When Feed the Need Missions began serving the Bastrop community more than ten years ago, Allen was among the first guests. To be sure, he was in need of the free hot meal each week. He was living on the streets and had no source of income. But that wasn’t the only thing missing in his life.
Volunteers noticed immediately that Allen was a bit different. A little unfiltered and rough around the edges. He wasn’t always easy to approach, and his appearance and behavior were off-putting to many. It was a challenge for him to connect with people—until a special group of Feed the Need volunteers stepped in.
Leaning In & Digging Deeper
Several men at the South Site, including Charlie Hoffman and Mark Miles, took notice of Allen. They leaned in where so many others had walked away. They overlooked awkwardness and rough speech. They demonstrated compassion and gave him a position and a place on the team. So Allen became a volunteer. Their acceptance filled a desperate need, because it gave them an opportunity to invest time in getting to know Allen and his story.
As the team walked alongside Allen, they learned that his challenging behaviors were connected to an autism diagnosis. They also discovered that Allen had lost his primary caregiver, his mom, several years before. This lack of help in caring for himself and his home was a huge detriment in his life. Not having a stable support system led him to life on the streets. It also made it difficult for him to make friends and articulate his needs. Most people just saw a difficult person, but our volunteers consistently returned to connect with Allen and saw so much more.
Making Connections & Meeting Needs
The volunteers didn’t stop at just understanding his challenges. Their involvement went beyond the one hour weekly site meeting. They joined together to help meet his needs. Initially, they helped with finding shelter, addressing hygiene needs, supplying him with clothing. But they went even further than just the material essentials. These men took Allen to their churches for men’s ministry events. They invited him into their homes for holidays. They became family on and off site.
A Felt Absence
Toward the end of 2021, Allen stopped coming to the site gatherings. Volunteers, who by now had been investing in his life for years, were concerned. They searched. They asked. They worried and prayed. In February, Mark Miles, one of those volunteers, received a phone call from a hospital in Austin. It seemed Allen had become ill and had been hospitalized, which explained his absence.
Mark received the phone call because Allen listed him as an emergency contact. The years of consistent investment had struck a chord with Allen. He knew there was a real relationship there, and that he could count on the Feed the Need team to show up when he was in need.
A Celebrated Return
After months of being away, Mark was able to pick Allen up from his care facility and bring him to the Bastrop South site. The team was overjoyed to see him. Guests and volunteers rallied around him, eager to pray over him. They thanked God for his safety. They asked for complete healing and provision. It was a powerful moment for everyone, and one that truly reflected the love of Christ to the guests still grappling with their faith.
Feed the Need Missions has become more than a source for a meal for Allen. It has become his family. His place to belong. His connection to Jesus. Connections like this don’t’ just happen. They are built on consistent, intentional decisions to lean in to the awkward and difficult. To love sacrificially. To consistently work to build relationships and trust. To keep showing up and showing care. Allen, like so many, had a hunger for more. God met it through Feed the Need Missions volunteers. What needs could God meet through you? We’d love for you to partner with us in caring for our communities.
Beyond the Grill: Celebrating Servant Leadership
It’s a late summer afternoon and a line of cars has already started to form. Busy preparations are being made in anticipation of something unusual. A truck and trailer are parked parallel to a very busy road. People begin to arrive and open up the trailer. And as the contents spill forth and excitement begins to build. A very worn grill, some worked tables and chairs, a couple canopies are erected for shade and food prep. Cutting, dicing, chopping… rustling of paper bags and a distinct smell of beef being grilled. Laughter, hugs, excitement and love are on the menu.
A name begins to be murmured. Someone asks, “Is Dana here yet? Where is Dana?” At the other end of the site a regular volunteer is responding “Ask Dana, she will have the answer. She always has the answers!” A random person bicycles by and yells, “Tell Dana hi and thanks for last week! She invited me to come by and I will be here soon.”
‘Who is this Dana?’ I wonder. ‘She is clearly someone with a servant’s heart.’ Little did I know how impactful Dana has been with so many at our LBA Site. Volunteers eagerly cook, assemble and bag not just a burger but a gift. The FREE gift of salvation. One that Dana is overwhelmingly familiar with.
The next generation is often overlooked or marginalized as self-centered and egotistical. What comes to your mind when you think about a 21-year-old young adult? Most are focused on college, careers, friendship and often their future. It is rare to find someone so young with a contrary focus—but Dana is very different. She values those things, but not at the expense of the calling that she has on her life. Dana has been transformed by what was offered to her at a time of need. That answer was found in Jesus. Specifically in the way Jesus served others.That is how Dana has chosen to live her life—through servant leadership.
When Dana arrives at her site, she is quick to make the focus of the evening those she is with. It doesn’t take long to realize that the burger is just an entry point for conversation and action. Jesus says in Luke 10:27, “Love the Lord your God with all of who you are and love your neighbor as yourself.” When we actively choose to live out the Great Commission, we begin to realize that true satisfaction comes from putting Jesus first and then by accepting the life he offers.
People love and follow Dana not because of what she does for them, but because of who she points them to. So,if you are free on a Thursday evening, consider this an invitation to “come on by!” I can almost guarantee you will be greeted with a smile, a burger and a fantastic young lady who will offer you a priceless gift that leads to a transformed life.
About the Writer:
This article was created by Sean Tangen. Sean serves on staff at Feed the Need Missions as our Program Director. In his role, one of his primary roles is to oversee, train and interact with our site volunteers.
The Heart Behind the Hamburger
Motive Matters in a Mission
Mission statements are important.
Simply put, they are an organization’s what—as in “what we do.” Carefully crafted statements of intent, these manifestos are a tool that unifies a team with a task-focused purpose. Mission statements are a necessary part of internal communication, as they clarify specific objectives and expectations. They drive (or deter) activity. Externally, mission statements are important outreach tools. They enable people in need of a service to find it, and they also connect an organizations with individuals who might choose to join or support the cause.
However, as well thought-out and appealing as any organization’s “what” might be— the “why” is equally as important.
Mission statements are action-based, but they must be developed in tandem with a specific motivation. While mission statements provide information, it’s the heart behind an organization that stirs necessary passion. The “why” brings the emotional and spiritual aspects into play. It makes it personal, connecting people who share a set of values and beliefs to a set of goals. And this galvanizes resolve. Ageeing on the “why” behind the “what” strengthens individuals to push through resistance, change, discomfort, turnover, exhaustion, inconvenience, and sacrifice that inevitably come over time in any organizational endeavor.
The Motive Behind the Feed the Need Mission
In other words, we are a food-related ministry that equips Christians to fulfill the divine call on their lives to love others (John 13:34) and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). While that all begins with the firing up of a grill to fill hungry bellies, our ultimate goal is to build relationships so that we can grow the Kingdom of God in depth and breadth.
But why do we do what we do?
If you’ve visited one of our eight Feed the Need Missions site locations, or attended one of our events, you wouldn’t have difficulty discovering why. The answer is printed on nearly everything, from the volunteer attire to vinyl signs, supply trailers and more:
This Scripture reference serves as an ever-present visual reminder of our “why.” Simply put, we are compelled to share the love Christ because of the way we have personally experienced it. We do what we do because we have encountered the living God, Jesus Christ. Our action is in response to our gratitude for the hope He has instilled in us.
We do what we do because Scripture challenges us to reciprocate toward God by caring for others. And this is almost an instinctive reaction, because we truly want others to have the opportunity to share in the joy, transformation and healing He makes possible. Whether at our site cookouts, when dispatch disaster relief teams, or in planning any planned event. The heart behind the hamburger is the love of God. All that we do is in order to put it on full display.
What is Love According to the Bible?
In basing our motivation on biblical love, it follows that we should be careful to understand the nature of biblical love.
First, it is distinctive from the world’s concept of love. Today’s cultural perception of love is often short-lived, because it is based on personal gain, fleeting emotion, physical attraction, or convenience. Biblical love, by contrast, perseveres because it is rooted in so much more than feelings or circumstances. Holy love is a commitment to a lifestyle of action. When the Bible instructs us to love, often its meaning is synonymous with others-focused service (1 John 3:18).
Jesus, the embodiment of divine love, spent His ministry years meeting the physical, social and spiritual needs of others. He loved by offering meals, grieving with those who had lost loved ones, giving encouragement, teaching and training, healing wounds, giving counsel, interceding, intervening with literally everything He had to connect people to His father and His church. He expects nothing less that this from us. In fact, he warns of the judgement to come in Matthew 25, making that the mark of a true believer is sacrificial loving actions toward “even the least of these.”
Biblical love is not based on deservedness. Flawed, selfish, sinful human beings receive grace as a gift from a perfect God. No one can possibly deserve it. And yet, He reaches out. He pursues. He blesses. He heals and forgives. And so, as image bearers, we must extend the love outward to others in the same way. Without distinction. Without preference. As Christ-followers, we can help dismantle the flawed thinking that people have to ‘clean up” to come to God. Jesus was a diety who ran to others in humble service, rather than making demands. Just as God offered to us openly to consistently, and unconditionally, so we must do the same.
Share the Love with Feed the Need Missions
What is your “why?” Have you discovered a way to connect your values to a mission in active service? If you’re passionate about loving others God’s way, making disciples, sharing the Gospel, meeting physical and spiritual needs, or sharing your testimony, we would love to connect with you! Visit our website for more information about how to get involved.
Burger on a Mission: Bringing Hunger Relief & Hope to Texas & Beyond
What is Feed the Need Missions?
Feed the Need Missions is a faith-based nonprofit organization headquartered in Bastrop Texas. Twelve years ago, we began serving one rural community with a simple model, via a backyard burger cookout. Over the last twelve years, this has expanded to eight communities serving up more than 2500 hot meals each month. It also now includes nationwide disaster relief efforts, international missions, and ongoing community outreach events. Dedicated to bringing hunger relief and hope to communities everywhere, we are more than your average Texas food pantry. We mobilize volunteers to feed people in their own communities physically—and spiritually.
How Does Feed the Need Missions Provide Hunger Relief?
At Feed the Need Missions, we recognize that hunger comes in many forms. Sometimes people long for a meal. Other times it’s a need for meaningful connection with others, a search for identity, purpose, or a need for prayer. Feed the Need Missions stands ready to meet physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs in a safe and welcoming environment. Anyone—from any background or with any form of longing or lack—is welcomed by them. Our hunger relief efforts have three categories:
Weekly Cookouts
Every single week of the year, rain or shine, we provide free, weekly hot meals across North and Central Texas. Currently, our eight sites serve an average of 2500 meals every month. The cookouts are run by dedicated and trained volunteers with a heart for their community. They are not just there to give handouts. They are trained and equipped to share the Gospel message and to build disciple-making relationships with our guests. These volunteers contribute in a number of ways—some shop, while others set up and cook, serve meals, greet, pray and encourage, or tear down the cookout event. Anyone can come to help, and anyone can come to enjoy dinner.
Disaster Relief
Feed the Need Missions also provides disaster relief at a local and national level. Over the last decade we have dispatched Go Teams to local neighborhoods as well as extended communities across the country. We have responded to wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and explosions. Our site cookout volunteers simply pack our Disaster Relief trailer and head to the location to cook and serve meals to anyone affected by the crisis. Along with the burgers, we provide a listening ear, encouragement and prayer to anyone in need. You can read about some of our more recent disaster relief trips on The Feed the Need Missions blog.
Community Events
From our Gobble Kits initiative, an annual effort put together by Feed the Need Missions to provide full Thanksgiving meal kits to families in need, to Church and Burgers educational events, trainings and more, we make it a priority to connect and build relationships with the communities we serve. This allows us to forge relationships and build awareness so that we can continue to grow and expand nationally and even internationally.
Hunger Relief & Hope Through a Burger
Whether at a site, on a disaster relief mission, or at an event, every Feed the Need Missions stand ready to serve—and it always begins with a burger. But what we do isn’t just about distributing food. We often say, the burger is simply a tool that opens the door. In the same way that Jesus offered loaves and fishes to hungry crowds, it allows us permission to speak into the lives of others, to give something much greater. Because of the burger, we are able to connect people to help and support in their heartache or addiction. We are able to comfort those who are anxious, lonely or grieving. We are able to share Jesus with those looking for meaning and purpose in their lives. And we are able to equip the church put feet to their faith, to truly disciple, love and serve others well. It’s so much more than a burger—it’s a burger on a mission.
Help Feed America With Feed the Need Missions
Feed the Need Missions is always growing and expanding. If you are passionate about feeding your own community, growing disciples, or meeting tangible needs in Jesus’ name, we’d love to connect with you. Here are some of the many ways to get involved:
Reach out to our team any time with questions at infofeedtheneed.org. We look forward to going “on mission” with you!
A New Home for the La Grange Site
Closing in on the one year anniversary of its kickoff, exciting changes are ahead for the La Grange, Texas Feed the Need Missions site. Beginning January 31, weekly gatherings will take place at the southeast corner of the Fayette County Courthouse Square. The meeting time and day will remain Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Why a New Location for the La Grange Feed the Need Missions Site?
The La Grange team has experienced incredible participation and growth at the lot near White Rock Park. But the change in location comes in response to a few factors. Certainly the comfort and safety of guests and volunteers in hot summer months is important. “Shade has been an issue at this location,” shares site coordinator Jeremy Finch.
Another consideration in moving is the accessibility of the site to the community at large. “When we started the site, we settled on a spot near a community food pantry,” shares Jeremy. This created convenience and awareness of the site to those in dire need. “The White Rock Park site was not a centralized location, but it was a great starting point. Being here has allowed us time to learn and refine our process, and to get very comfortable with running the site. Now we are really ready to stretch out, and to be in a place that is more central,” shares Jeremy. “We want to reach out more and make it clear that Feed the Need Missions is here to meet physical needs, yes—but also social, emotional and spiritual needs. It really is for everyone.”
La Grange Site to Meet At the Square in La Grange, Texas
Over the last several months, volunteers have been discussing, praying over and visiting potential site locations. While considering options, Jeremy vistited a county judge to discuss the possibility of meeting at the Square. “It was a great conversation he actually granted us permission to meet there,” he shares. “We were still praying about it, asking the Lord to make our next steps clear, when a reporter attending a commissioners court meeting heard about the possible move, and reported it in the paper. We decided that was God answering our prayer; so we made it official. We are very excited about our new home!”
Be sure to visit the Jeremy and the La Grange team beginning Monday, January 31 at the southeast corner of The Square at the Fayette County Courthouse. The physical address is 151 N Washington Street. For more information about the La Grange site, or the Feed the Need Missions organization, visit our website.
Feeding Hungry Souls: Gobble Kits 2021
Putting the GIVING in Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities with Feed the Need Missions
We are already hard at work signing guests up and collecting supplies to receive Gobble Kits this year. There are so many ways to get involved. If you are looking for a fun, meaningful, and family-friendly way to give back this holiday season, read on!
Donate a Gobble Kit
Hundreds of families have already signed up to receive a meal this November. One of the most impactful ways to help out is to donate a Gobble Kit. You can pick up a shopping bag and a list of supplies at our participating locations throughout Texas. Simply take the list to your local grocery store, select the items on the list, and bring the filled back to one of our drop off locations. The best time to drop off is on our Collection Day event on Saturday November 13. On that day, bring the whole family to drop off your kit supplies and donations. Let us thank you in person as you enjoy live music, make s’mores and meet our staff team. If you’re not located near one of our collection sites or you can’t make it to Collection day, you can also donate $25 online and we can do all the shopping for you. The deadline for collections this year is Monday, November 15!
Serve at Assembly Day
Distributing Gobble Kits to hundreds of families takes preparation and organization! If you’re in the Bastrop area, we would love for you to join us for Gobble Kit Assembly Day on Saturday, November 20 at Community Gardens. Help us sort, assemble, and pack our Gobble Kits. You can even help us write meaningful notes of encouragement for those who will receive the Gobble Kits. Lunch will be provided for everyone who attends.
Volunteer During Distribution Week
There are eight opportunities to join us as we distribute the Gobble Kits to families from November 18-23rd. Visit our Facebook events tab to find dates, times and locations for each of our sites and feel free to join us for as many as you’d like. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel message and pray over people as they receive a very practical blessing.