In case you hadn’t heard, the first seven days of January have officially been dubbed “New Year’s Resolution Week.” This week the entire internet has been inundated with “new year, new you” messaging, social media posts touting ‘words of the year,’ and other similar personal goal setting.
Taking time to reset and self evaluate truly are so important. Personal Bible reading plans and a restructuring of priorities are vital for growth. But if 2020 gave us anything, it was ample time to do this. Last year, as we learned to adapt to quarantined living in the wake of COVID-19, we became homeschool parents and remote office workers. We focused on family. We gardened. We crafted. We became digital media pros. What was sorely missed, in all this inwardly focused time, was a sense of community.
A New Year Shift of Focus
In 2020, loneliness was off the charts. People felt disconnected, so much so that the CDC published resources, warnings and health ramifications associated with isolation. We missed our friends, and churches, and our coffee dates. We longed for unmasked smiles, unreserved hugs and high fives. Personal contact. Togetherness.
As we move in to a new year, consider trading the typical personal resolutions for a commitment to personal involvement in community revitalization. If ever there was a time, this is the year to shift our focus outward toward others. Should you need biblical support for this, you need look no further than this charge from the Apostle Paul:

Selfless and sacrificial service should be the daily norm for every Christian— but we don’t often incorporate it into our New Years goal setting. And it’s too bad, because it has some pretty incredible perks. In addition to the obvious spiritual priority the Bible gives it and the benefits for others, a service oriented lifestyle is proven to decrease depression, add skills to our personal tool belts, reduce stress and help us build new friendships. The ironic truth is we could achieve most of our personal goals more effectively by focusing less on self and more on others. Just food for thought.
A New Year Commitment to Community
So what does resolving to be others-centered in 2021 look like? Glad you asked! First, let’s talk about the need.
We know our communities have healing to do in the wake of 2020. But defining that more specifically helps us to articulate how we can be part of the solution. At Feed the Need Missions, we define the needs based on what we call the Four Levels of Poverty:
- Physical poverty – This is the more obvious understanding of poverty, including a lack of tangible resources impacting food, clothing and shelter. This lack occurs for a myriad of reasons, but many individuals experienced heightened poverty in 2020 in the wake of job losses and furrows.
- Emotional poverty – This type of poverty manifests itself through loneliness, mental challenges, relational issues or difficulty with life or coping skills. As mentioned above, there is a heavy sense of isolation and anxiety related to 2020.
- Social Poverty – Often social deficits go hand in hand with physical poverty. Most often, social poverty is the desire to feel valued, to simply be seen, to be heard, and to have someone speak into their lives.
- Spiritual Poverty – We believe the most dire need of all people, in the era of COVID or otherwise, is for the forgiveness and unconditional love of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate solution, meeting every need associated with physical, emotional, social and spiritual poverty.
Feed the Need Missions is about meeting people in every one of these types of poverty. Our organizational mission is to feed people physically and spiritually. We do that through weekly pop up style dinner sites, where we distribute hot meals. As we address the physical need, we initiate personal interactions, offer prayers and proclaim the Gospel to anyone who is willing to listen.
A New Volunteer Service Opportunity
We do all this via an ever expanding army of volunteers. People looking for a way to make an impact. People just like you.
We often say, “the burger is just the tool.” We’ve found that, just as we see it play out in the Bible, physical needs being met opens the doors to fulfill every type of hunger. It gives us an opportunity to connect them to a Savior, Provider, Friend and Wonderful Counselor.
If restoring community in 2021 sounds like just the ticket for you, and you’re looking for a way to get started, we want to invite you to get involved in this vital mission as a volunteer, church partner, prayer warrior or donor. All you have to do is show up to one of our sites, and we’ll get you plugged in.
Ghandi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Are you ready to level up from Bible reading to Bible living? Are you ready to take Jesus outside the church walls? Then you are exactly who we’re looking to team up with in the new year.
Fellow believers, we’ve had our time to retreat and reflect. Now is a time for heroes to step up, ready to take action and be the healing hands of Jesus.
About the Writer
Amanda joined our staff in September of 2020 as the Marketing Director. She is a pastor’s wife, Bible teacher and public speaker, and former church staffer. In her 10 years of adult ministry experience at one of the largest churches in the U.S., she fostered a passion and proficiency for church program development, discipleship and sharing the love of Christ.
Reflections for a New Year
2021 Challenge: Trade Personal Resolutions for Community Revitalization
In case you hadn’t heard, the first seven days of January have officially been dubbed “New Year’s Resolution Week.” This week the entire internet has been inundated with “new year, new you” messaging, social media posts touting ‘words of the year,’ and other similar personal goal setting.
Taking time to reset and self evaluate truly are so important. Personal Bible reading plans and a restructuring of priorities are vital for growth. But if 2020 gave us anything, it was ample time to do this. Last year, as we learned to adapt to quarantined living in the wake of COVID-19, we became homeschool parents and remote office workers. We focused on family. We gardened. We crafted. We became digital media pros. What was sorely missed, in all this inwardly focused time, was a sense of community.
A New Year Shift of Focus
In 2020, loneliness was off the charts. People felt disconnected, so much so that the CDC published resources, warnings and health ramifications associated with isolation. We missed our friends, and churches, and our coffee dates. We longed for unmasked smiles, unreserved hugs and high fives. Personal contact. Togetherness.
As we move in to a new year, consider trading the typical personal resolutions for a commitment to personal involvement in community revitalization. If ever there was a time, this is the year to shift our focus outward toward others. Should you need biblical support for this, you need look no further than this charge from the Apostle Paul:
Selfless and sacrificial service should be the daily norm for every Christian— but we don’t often incorporate it into our New Years goal setting. And it’s too bad, because it has some pretty incredible perks. In addition to the obvious spiritual priority the Bible gives it and the benefits for others, a service oriented lifestyle is proven to decrease depression, add skills to our personal tool belts, reduce stress and help us build new friendships. The ironic truth is we could achieve most of our personal goals more effectively by focusing less on self and more on others. Just food for thought.
A New Year Commitment to Community
So what does resolving to be others-centered in 2021 look like? Glad you asked! First, let’s talk about the need.
We know our communities have healing to do in the wake of 2020. But defining that more specifically helps us to articulate how we can be part of the solution. At Feed the Need Missions, we define the needs based on what we call the Four Levels of Poverty:
Feed the Need Missions is about meeting people in every one of these types of poverty. Our organizational mission is to feed people physically and spiritually. We do that through weekly pop up style dinner sites, where we distribute hot meals. As we address the physical need, we initiate personal interactions, offer prayers and proclaim the Gospel to anyone who is willing to listen.
A New Volunteer Service Opportunity
We do all this via an ever expanding army of volunteers. People looking for a way to make an impact. People just like you.
We often say, “the burger is just the tool.” We’ve found that, just as we see it play out in the Bible, physical needs being met opens the doors to fulfill every type of hunger. It gives us an opportunity to connect them to a Savior, Provider, Friend and Wonderful Counselor.
If restoring community in 2021 sounds like just the ticket for you, and you’re looking for a way to get started, we want to invite you to get involved in this vital mission as a volunteer, church partner, prayer warrior or donor. All you have to do is show up to one of our sites, and we’ll get you plugged in.
Ghandi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Are you ready to level up from Bible reading to Bible living? Are you ready to take Jesus outside the church walls? Then you are exactly who we’re looking to team up with in the new year.
Fellow believers, we’ve had our time to retreat and reflect. Now is a time for heroes to step up, ready to take action and be the healing hands of Jesus.
About the Writer
Amanda joined our staff in September of 2020 as the Marketing Director. She is a pastor’s wife, Bible teacher and public speaker, and former church staffer. In her 10 years of adult ministry experience at one of the largest churches in the U.S., she fostered a passion and proficiency for church program development, discipleship and sharing the love of Christ.
Promises & Prayers of Christmas
Thanksgiving Gobble Kits Impact Stories
2020 was a record year for the Feed the Need Missions Gobble Kit program.
The Blessing of Service: Volunteer Testimonies
We are beyond grateful for our incredible volunteers, many who began helping months before the actual Gobble Kit distribution. From sorting, organizing, promotion and logistics to praying, visiting, and sharing the Gospel—these people went above and beyond to feed people physically and spiritually. As you read their stories, you’ll find the common thread that as they blessed others, they were equally refreshed and blessed.
Jeanette from Bastrop South shared, “being able to sign people up and check them off the list made me feel so blessed. The fact that this program does so much for others, makes me so grateful. I thought it was wonderful and those who received were over joyed and so appreciative. It makes me feel joyful knowing that I was a part of this.”
Jennie from Stony Point told us, “Watching my husband experience joy as he serves the community has changed our marriage. It’s such a blessing. My husband has never really been a part of something like this. It has helped us grow together because it gets us outside of ourselves. You don’t see the need until you’re present. It’s been a huge blessing for me to witness those who experience receiving food and watching the growth of our volunteers.”
Jack from LBA said “It was a neat way to break in some of the folks that have just recently moved to the community by asking them if they were in need of a Gobble Kit. We have a lot of single parents that are trying to make ends meet and the thankfulness from them brought me to tears. Because of COVID and serving the Gobble Kits to the guests at their vehicle brought more opportunities to build the relationship and people were more vulnerable, especially those who couldn’t be with their family. The impact on being a family together is extremely emotional to the ones who couldn’t travel to see loved ones. We prayed together and cried together.”
Teresa, who serves at multiple sites, was extremely impacted by the volunteers presence at each sites. “We all came together and helped each other out at the different sites. Many Site Coordinators and other lead teams worked together to help make the Gobble Kit program a success. It touched my heart seeing so many people being prayed for and the acceptance of our guests wanting prayer. I saw many faces that I haven’t seen before that are struggling and this turkey meal was enough to give them HOPE.”
Becca: A Guest Experience
Feed the Need With Us
What a joy it is to be able to report such powerful experiences. Not only is the program growing each year, but it is growing people up in Jesus. Volunteers are experiencing life change and our guests are encountering the peace and provision of Jesus. If reading these stories has inspired you to get involved, we would love for you to become part of the Feed the Need Missions family. You can support us financially by making a donation, or serve at one of our eight site locations each week.
Feed the Need With Us On Giving Tuesday
What is Giving Tuesday?
How to Choose the Nonprofit to Support?
Consider the problems that weigh heavily on your own community. Is it poverty? Homelessness? Hunger? Then seek out organizations that are working to solve these problems. If you can find one that is functioning where you live, or has a desire to expand to your area, even better! Most organizations provide an overview of their Mission Statement on their websites.
Investigate their methods and their practices. Read their blog and check out their social media sites. These should give you a pretty full picture of what they view as most important. Then consider your own personal values, and make sure your preferred organization matches up. Sharing values with the organizations you support means you can feel good about partnering with them.
How to Partner with Feed the Need Missions on Giving Tuesday
We are so thankful for our generous donors. You can give this one time or even select a monthly amount for ongoing support.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
How Churches Can Boost Volunteerism Right Now
Church Volunteerism in the Age of COVID-19
Volunteer Opportunities Are Vital For Church Growth
Practical Ways to Cultivate the Volunteer Spirit
1. Make It Personal
2. Make It Meaningful
3. Build a Partnership
Partner with Feed the Need Missions
BRAND NEW SITES & LEADERS LAUNCHING JANUARY 2021!
One of the most amazing things about of being a part of Feed the Need Missions is watching God’s promises fulfilled.
When we began serving the community 10 years ago, President Jonah Beyer and the team prayed diligently to understand God’s vision for our organization. “I knew from the beginning God wanted Feed the Need Missions to grow and expand its reach – not just in Texas, but around the globe,” Jonah says. In the years since, God has opened doors for growth and connected us to servant leaders who are passionate about feeding people physically and spiritually in their communities.
Today we’re excited to announce a new step in our growth – we’re planning a new site launch in La Grange, Texas!
Meet Jeremy: Our New La Grange Site Coordinator
Jeremy Finch has boldly stepped up to serve the La Grange, Texas community as a site coordinator. A Texas A&M graduate, Jeremy is a mixed animal veterinarian, born and raised in Needville Texas. He lives in La Grange with his wife Amie and their four boys named Walker, Carter, Tanner and Byer.
Jeremy’s pastor at Crosspoint Community Church first introduced him to Feed the Need Missions. “He knew my heart for service and food ministry as a way to present the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Jeremy says. “We are excited to move forward. I am using this ministry launch as a personal lesson in letting God do His work His way through me instead of my tendency to more aggressively try to accomplish things in my own strength.”
We could not be more excited to see Jeremy at the helm. Join us in praying for him, his family and the La Grange community as plans become a reality!
Servant Leadership: Portrait of a Site Coordinator
Feed the Need Missions site coordinators are first and foremost spiritual leaders. The position is a volunteer role, perfect for people who feel strongly about taking the Gospel message outside of the walls of traditional church. They come from different professions and backgrounds, but they share a few key strengths:
Each week, these transformational leaders monitor our site’s weekly achievements, encourage spiritual growth, oversee the mechanics of the site, and assist the team members in carrying out their individual responsibilities. We could not do what we do without them!
Here We Grow: Countdown to Launch Day
Follow our progress as we make preparations for our site in La Grange in January of 2021! While we are still finalizing the details, you can stay updated by checking out our La Grange Site page. There, you can also help support this sight launch through financial contributions.
Volunteer Opportunity: Are YOU Ready for Servant Leadership?
Feed the Need Missions is a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding people physically and spiritually. We provide free weekly meals and spiritual encouragement at eight locations throughout Texas, as well as disaster relief throughout the U.S. If you are ready to take your passion for discipleship out into your community, or if you are interested in learning about what it takes to become a site coordinator, we’d love to schedule a site tour with you. Come see us in action, catch the vision and learn how Feed the Need Missions can bless your community.
Volunteer Story: Debbie and Lewis
The ushering in of fall brings many a sense of joy and thanksgiving. For Debbie and Lewis, our Giddings site leaders, this is no exception. This season has brought special change for them that we are excited to share. The Giddings site is newly reopened with a brand new location and schedule!
“I’m so excited that we are open,” Debbie shared. She shared that she is eager to see the ministry blossom here over the coming weeks. “Once we have the consistency of being there week after week, the neighborhood will be able to trust that we will continue to be there weekly,” she shared. “Since everything is so different, it’s giving everyone a chance to get more familiar with a new way of doing things.”
Come check out the new site this Sunday! Serve with us and stay for a burger. Set up begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner service begins at 5:30 p.m. Visit our updated Giddings site page and stay up to date with the latest news and updates!
Our new Feed the Need Giddings Address:
Simmang Park
801-899 W Washington Street
Giddings, TX 78942
Site Updates: Gobble Kits
Put the GIVING in Thanksgiving Dinner This Year
Famed English poet Wiliam Blake once wrote, “The thankful recipient bears a plentiful harvest.”
As holiday hustle and bustle begin to surface once again, our minds and to-do lists are already filling up with meal planning, travel arrangements and decor inspiration. But let’s not forget that Thanksgiving is also a wonderful opportunity to show gratitude by blessing those around us.
Challenges in the wake of COVID-19 have made 2020 a particularly difficult year for many. If there was ever a time to emphasize the giving in your family’s Thanksgiving plans, this is it. Feed the Need Missions’ annual Thanksgiving Gobble Kits campaign provides area families in need with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, with all the fixin’s. If you’re looking for a safe, simple and family-friendly way to give back, we’d love to partner with you!
How Can I Provide Thanksgiving Dinner to a Family in Need?
There are three ways to get involved:
1. Give.
A donation of just $25 provides a full Thanksgiving meal to a family of four to six. You can donate directly, and our team of volunteers will purchase supplies and assemble the meal kits on your behalf. You can also pick up a shopping list at one of our local supply pick-up locations, fill your bag with groceries and even a personalized note, and drop them off. Visit our Gobble Kits page for details and donation locations.
2. Serve.
If you are looking for a family-friendly volunteer opportunity, and are located near one of our distribution sites, we would love to invite you to join us as we hand out these meals to families in the community. You can also join us for Gobble Kit assembly day. To receive updates and join our volunteer team, email our Vice President Jason Bray.
3. Pray.
Prayer fuels everything we do at Feed the Need Missions. Whatever capacity you decide to partner with us this year, we hope you will join us in prayer. We believe that many will be fed not only physically, but also spiritually as they see the love of Christ in action this Thanksgiving. We ask that you pray for the immediate and eternal needs of these families to be met through our mission.
Thanksgiving 2020 Gobble Kit Collections Are Now Underway
We are already busy making preparations for this year’s Gobble Kit giveaway. For more information, visit our Gobble Kits page. Here, you can donate directly, find our shopping list or locate a place to come and serve.