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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:

  • HEAT EXHAUSTION is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and salt contained in sweat. The most prone to heat exhaustion are the elderly, people with high blood pressure and people working or exercising in high heat. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include: heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting and fainting. The skin may be cool and moist. The victims pulse rate will be fast and weak and breathing will be fast and shallow. If untreated, heat exhaustion may lead to heat stroke.
  • HEAT CRAMPS usually affect people who sweat heavily during strenuous activity. Sweating depletes the bodies salt and moisture. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion. Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms, usually in the abdomen, arms or legs, that may occur in association with strenuous activity. If the person has heart problems or is on a low sodium diet, medical attention is necessary.
  • HEAT STROKE occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. The body temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees or higher in ten to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given quickly. The victim is unlikely to complain due to the confusion caused by heat stroke therefore it is very important to notice if changes in mental status occur.

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.

CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR LOCATION
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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.”

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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.

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HAPPENINGS

Open House is still going strong! For the entire month of March every one of our sites are open for you to come check out what God is doing in our communities. We welcome you to join us at any of our locations. Click the site link for location addresses and times.

Open House Opportunities Dates and Sites

MONDAY
Bastrop South
Stony Point

TUESDAY
Newark

THURSDAY
Justin

SUNDAY
Bastrop North
Giddings
Smithville

LEARN MORE

And..

Feed the Need Missions has been busy preparing for our upcoming trainings! We would like to invite you to come to a training in April. Checkout out our training landing page for a training in your area.

LEARN MORE

We look forward to seeing you at our Open House and Site Training events! 

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Meet A Volunteer: Cindy

Cindy was born and raised in Mississippi. After 27 years of marriage and three beautiful adult children, she found herself divorced and alone. The downward cycle in her life started. She began to question her own worth, feeling thrown aside her whole life.

“After several years of self pity I put myself back into Church” she said. Every Sunday, she kept feeling this little tug, “Do something, Anything.” Cindy wasn’t sure what that “something” was so she ignored it for some time, knowing she needed to give of herself in some way.

A little over a year ago, after emptying her home and selling almost everything she had, she moved to Bastrop to be closer to her kids. Life can get very lonely living in a town where you are a stranger. Cindy would see her kids once a week or so, but had no other commitments the rest of the week. One day, she bit the bullet and came to a training to learn more about Feed the Need Missions.

“I have been with Feed the Need Missions around nine months now. Getting involved changed my perspective. It’s very easy to lose proper focus and dwell on the wrong things. It’s so easy to feel sorry for yourself. Until which time you realize, you have everything you need in Jesus. Getting involved helped me see that,” she said.

“At the site, I am amazed at our volunteers. I see the love in the eyes of each helper, something that didn’t happen over night but has taken time to develop. The hugs and the laughs and the tears are priceless. In the short time I have been a part of Feed The Need Mission, I have seen more and more people stay for Table Talk, because they want more. I see more people sharing their story because it is a very loving and comfortable setting. It has always amazed me, that it doesn’t matter if one person wants ten burgers and ten hot dogs, we never run out! That is Divine, not proper planning. Gods work is being done,” Cindy said.

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Meet A Volunteer: Lisa

Lisa currently serves at our Bastrop South site with her husband Jeff. They have four wonderful children.

She became aware of Feed the Need Missions through Jason, Vice President of Feed the Need Missions, who attends the same church as Lisa and Jeff. Upon getting re-married to Jeff, she fortunately did not have to continuing working, therefore she’s able to volunteer her time at several worthy organizations.

“I have been serving with Feed the Need Missions for a few months, but it has truly impacted me. I have always struggled being around people who are “different” than me, or what I am used to. I get uncomfortable and do not know how to act or what to say,” she said. Feed the Need Missions provided the platform to help her reach outside of her comfort zone.

“I have prayed and been granted the ability to see others thru the eyes of Christ. I’m naturally a compassionate person, but this organization allows me the opportunity to truly be a disciple. I have become less judgmental, more compassionate, and happier! I have seen God moving in those we serve,” Lisa added.

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Sweet Treats for Christmas

Christmastime is here and, like every year, Feed the Need Missions will still be out there serving our communities even on a special holiday, like Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This is a great opportunity for you and your family to come serve with us. We will be serving our regular weekly meal along with some sweet treats. And this is where we need your extra holiday help!

We are asking you to join us to make some sweet treats to bless those we serve during the Christmas season. These can be cookies, cupcakes, pies…whatever your Christmas treat heart desires. Bring your treats the day your local site meets, and we will hand them out that evening. And while you’re at it, why not stay and serve with us that day? What an incredible way to give back to your community this holiday season.

Each site has a specific set up time, serving time and clean up time. Please see below for the days we will be serving up some special Christmas treats at our sites. Click the site link for location addresses and times.

Christmas Serving Opportunities Dates and Sites

DECEMBER 23, 2018
Bastrop North
Giddings
Smithville

DECEMBER 24, 2018
Bastrop South
Stony Point

DECEMBER 25, 2018
Newark

DECEMBER 27, 2018
Justin

Have a very bright and Merry Christmas! And thank you for joining with us and spreading a little more Christmas cheer.

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Gobble Kits Impact

This Thanksgiving Feed the Need Missions partnered with churches and businesses to provide those in our community with a Thanksgiving meal kit through our Gobble Kit program. It was the first year we did this and the impact we saw in the community was incredible.

We had 467 families sign up across our seven Feed the Need locations, and with the help of the community, EVERY family who signed up was provided a Thanksgiving meal to serve their family.

We are so thankful to the churches and businesses that partnered with us to make a difference this Thanksgiving. And we are so thankful to the people who took the time to gather the supplies, donate funds, and volunteer to put the Gobble Kits together. It truly made a difference in the lives of these 467 families.

Margaret, who received a Gobble Kit, said “I wouldn’t have a Thanksgiving meal if it wasn’t for you guys.” And when she came to pick up her Gobble Kit she said “My heart is overjoyed with your team’s generosity.”

We also put together this video about our vision and experience during this first year we launched this Gobble Kit project. We hope you take a few minutes to watch a little insiders perspective to our hearts and desire to make an impact in our communities, especially during the holiday season.

 

Thank you to those who participated in providing a Gobble Kit this Thanksgiving. Because of you each family was blessed this season.

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Site Stories: Stony Point

From now until the end of the year we will be sharing stories from each of our sites across Texas. Every site has the same mission: to feed people physically and spiritually. We see God using our volunteers and those that come to grow and build relationships with those in Christ. Here are just a few of the stories from our sites this past year.

Stony Point serves every Sunday starting at 5:30pm at Stony Point Park located at 121 Stony Creek Drive, Stony Point, TX 786017

Julia

Julia has been living in Stony Point for 48 years. She has a daughter, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She spends a lot of time taking care of her grandchildren so her daughter can work.

Julia heard about Feed the Need Missions from Gilbert, a volunteer at our Stony Point site. Julia was driving by and Gilbert stopped her to give her some food. At first, Julia was a little skeptical about staying for the fellowship so she would receive her meal and leave. Now, six months later Julia stays to enjoy her meal at the site and stays after for Table Talk.

“Feed the Need Missions has been a blessing to me. I look forward to Monday nights. Every time I go everyone is so nice. I like that we pray and study the Bible together. Seeing you guys give food to everyone and seeing the smiles on the kids faces makes my heart happy,” Julia said.

Marty

“After reaching a point in my life where my health was so bad and I received a diagnosis of a rare respiratory disorder, I basically didn’t expect to be here on earth. After several years in a wheelchair, I decided to fight against everything holding me down,” Marty said.

Marty has been serving at the Stony Point site for almost a year. He loves what Feed The Need Missions is doing. It has helped him with his recovery and helped him get involved in outreach again through a positive Christ centered environment. “My purpose here is to let each person know that no matter what has been done, no matter what is currently going on, or what will occur in the future, each of us has been extended grace and forgiveness from Christ. Feed the Need Missions has provided outreach for me to share true love and grace. I am trying to be a fisher of men,” Marty said.

DONATE NOW

When you give to support our communities, people’s hearts and lives are being changed. With your help, Feed the Need Missions will continue to provide a hot meal and share the love and message of Christ to those in our communities each week.

Can you help Feed the Need Missions continue serving each week by making a generous contribution of $25, $50, or $100 today? Without your generosity, people like John and Peggy, might not get to hear about the love of the gospel and what it truly means to have people who love and support you where you are.

Don’t delay, give now and make a difference in your community today.

 

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Site Stories: Giddings

From now until the end of the year we will be sharing stories from each of our sites across Texas. Every site has the same mission: to feed people physically and spiritually. We see God using our volunteers and those that come to grow and build relationships with those in Christ. Here are just a few of the stories from our sites this past year.

GIDDINGS Serves every Sunday starting at 5:00pm at Giddings Food Pantry located at 190 North Harris, Giddings, TX 78942.

Kathy

Kathy is 64, lives with her son, his girlfriend and her two children. “I couldn’t make it on my own,” Kathy explained, “I’m on disability and if it wasn’t for my son, I don’t know what I would do.” Kathy comes to Feed the Need Missions on Sunday nights in Giddings when they don’t have enough to eat at home. Kathy is not one of those faces we see each week at the site.

Feed the Need Missions helps to fill the gap for Kathy and her family when times are tough. “My son has a job, works full time, but by the time bills are paid there’s not much left over for us to buy groceries.” Lately, Kathy has been a regular at the site because the family is in one of those tight seasons. She walks to the site often with Shawna, the daughter of her son’s girlfriend, to get a meal; sometime two meals for the family. “It’s nice knowing I can always come here and get something to eat,” Kathy shared.

Kathy is not a believer, however it is evident the Lord is working during this tough time. We are praying for Kathy and her family to come to know the love, truth, and grace found in Jesus. We know God can do great things even with something as simple as a hamburger.

Barbara

“I’ve been coming since the beginning,” Barbara says, with a smile on her face and joy in her eyes. At first glance you would not see the hurt Barbara is currently facing. Barbara is dealing with abandonment and going through a divorce.

Barbara joins us weekly in Giddings and has done so since April of 2014. She comes and updates us weekly with how life is going. The good and the bad, the ups and the downs. Barbara caught on quickly what Feed the Need Missions is all about.

She loves our burgers, but it isn’t just the hot meal she comes for. Feed the Need Missions is a place of hope and encouragement for Barbara. “I know when I have nothing to eat I can come here to eat and get the support and prayer I need. I try to make it each week for the time of prayer,”  she explains.

DONATE NOW

When you give to support our communities, people’s hearts and lives are being changed. With your help, Feed the Need Missions will continue to provide a hot meal and share the love and message of Christ to those in our communities each week.

Can you help Feed the Need Missions continue serving each week by making a generous contribution of $25, $50, or $100 today? Without your generosity, people like John and Peggy, might not get to hear about the love of the gospel and what it truly means to have people who love and support you where you are.

Don’t delay, give now and make a difference in your community today.

 

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