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IGNITING CHANGE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Over the next month, we will be sharing stories of Feed the Need Missions’ volunteers serving in various capacities. No matter how one serves, the mission is still the same: to feed people physically and spiritually.

When people think about getting involved with Feed the Need Missions, they often think about the “front line” (our weekly site locations). While that is a large part of what we do, that is not the only way to get involved.

It takes much more to keep our organization running, allowing us to maintain consistency in our communities by providing weekly physical, emotional, social, and spiritual support.

Feed the Need Missions maintains a small staff to help us give as much as we can back to our communities. Which means we are always in need of help from our volunteers.

We understand that not everyone enjoys speaking or engaging with people. We can assure you that you have a skill, talent, or knowledge that could help us ignite change in our communities and impact God’s Kingdom.

Jeremy

A few years ago, Jeremy and some friends saw a need in their community and wanted to respond. They had an idea to provide meals for people, but they weren’t entirely sure how it would look. After church one day as they were brainstorming, a staff member from his church overheard their conversation and it was mentioned to the pastor, and he connected him with Feed the Need Missions. And long story short, the La Grange site was born.

Jeremy has been the site coordinator for the La Grange site since day one. He and his family are all involved in serving their community every week, and they have truly been changed by this experience.

“You come for whatever reason and you don’t even realize what starts changing you, and then that goes out and changes families, schools, it changes the whole community,” Jeremy told us.

Jeremy came up with the idea of starting our Give Back Beef program after realizing that in order to make a site sustainable, it needed to be supported financially as well. This idea truly meets needs and ignites change.

There is a place for you here at Feed the Need Missions. We are here to answer your questions about how you can get involved—we need you. Do you feel called? Will you step out in faith and ignite change in your community today?


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Impacting the Next Generation

So often, we wonder about the future of the next generation and, as a byproduct, our own impact. Will they have a positive influence on the world? Will they value society as past generations have? How will they pursue Jesus in their ever-changing lives? Can they live without their phones? As a father of two teens, I find myself pondering these questions and many more.

Recently, I had the privilege of firsthand learning about the desires and hopes of the next generation. During this year’s Gobble Kit season, the Student Ministry at River Valley Christian Fellowship decided to give back to their community and partner with Feed the Need Missions. River Valley was fully committed to supporting the Gobble Kit program, collecting 144 kits as a church. These kits represented not only 864 meals but also a desire for people to be fed both physically and spiritually.

In conversation with Jason, their youth pastor, a plan was hatched to invite the youth to pack and distribute the kits to families at our LBA Site. Without hesitation, the youth said YES!

I believe we have a responsibility to align the passions of the next generation with the heart of Jesus. If we do that early enough, we can help give kids a vision for others that impacts a lifetime! Proverbs 22:6 – Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.

The week before Thanksgiving became “Serve Week” for the River Valley students. Wednesday was our kickoff, and the youth group’s plan shifted. With over 100 students and leaders gathering, we talked about legacy. The question was asked, “What legacy do you want to inspire others toward?” Every student was tasked with repacking the Gobble Kits in a transportable way for distribution.

After repacking the bags, we paused to look at what the Bible says about serving others. Our missional theme verse challenges us to love with the fullness of Jesus. The beauty of asking kids to love others reminded me how fully, authentically, and innocently kids can care for others. They learned that their story matters and that each of them has one!

My 17-year-old daughter Shayla and her friend Ruby taught their classmates how to share their testimonies with others in 15 seconds. When you discover this can be done in words and action, confidence builds.

We broke out into small groups with a challenge: to share their stories and write heartfelt messages to those who will be receiving a kit. At the end of the small group time, we came back together, placed the notes in the bags, and prayed over the 144 kits. There is nothing like seeing kids praying for Jesus to impact the lives of those receiving the kits this holiday season.

To cap off Serve Week, we invited the students to come to our site at LBA in Bastrop and hand out the kits the next night. I am excited to say that we had nearly 140 volunteers show up, many of whom came and brought their families to serve. Every kit was handed out, and students found purpose in sharing their stories with others.

River Valley students have taught me many things about the next generation. Our future is bright when students make other people a priority. Their compassion for those in need gives them insight that we, as adults, forget or can never see. The best part is that when they see the connections between Jesus, themselves, and others, they want everyone to experience it!

So, shout out to you River Valley students and leaders for seeing the value in others. Keep sharing your testimonies and transforming the world one person at a time!

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Feed the Need With Us On Giving Tuesday

Each week Feed the Need Missions diligently works to meet the physical and spiritual needs in the communities we serve across Texas. Our sites meet at the same day and time each week to provide a consistent free meal to anyone who shows up. Beyond the offering of hamburgers and hot dogs, our volunteers and staff also offer each guest prayers and spiritual encouragement.

When disaster hits, we equip a core team with one of our cooking trailers and load it up with food and supplies, and they willingly go at moments notice to help those communities impacted by disaster.

How can you partner with Feed the Need Missions on Giving Tuesday?

Read more about us here. If you feel like we are a good fit for you, there are several ways you can give:

  1. Simply click here to make a donation online. We are so thankful for our generous donors. You can give this one time or even select a monthly amount for ongoing support.
  2. Check with your employer to see if they match donations. This can double or even triple the financial donations or even volunteer hours you generously give to Feed the Need Missions! Search here to see if this is something your employer offers or check with your HR department and ask about matching employee donations.
  3. Give through other revenues. Take a look at our Ways to Give page to learn more about giving to Feed the Need Missions through stocks, planned giving, and more. And feel free to contact us if you have any questions about these various ways to make a difference in our communities.
  4. Purchase our Give Back Beef. You can purchase one time or sign up for monthly subscription boxes at Community Gardens or from our online shop. Our Give Back Beef program not only gives you a great meal, but it also helps us provide hot meals to individuals in need in our communities. Every purchase goes directly to support our weekly programs, making sure we can serve hot meals, lend a friendly ear, and share the love of Jesus.

Thank you to everyone who has donated, volunteered, sponsored, and partnered with Feed the Need Missions this year.

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Give Back Beef Program

We are excited to announce our Nonprofit Ministry’s latest initiative: our Give Back Beef program. Over 13 years ago, we embarked on a mission to bring the message of Feed the Need Missions to communities far and wide, offering hot meals and a listening ear to those in need. We knew that to make a lasting impact, we needed sustainable funding for our weekly operations.

In our journey to create a stronger community beyond our core staff, we prayed for guidance and found an incredible group of volunteers. They have dedicated their time, resources, and land to raise cattle, all with a heart full of generosity. Their mission? To donate back to our cause and provide you and your families with high-quality, locally sourced, all-natural beef products.

By supporting our Give Back Beef program, you not only gain access to delicious, all-natural beef but also become an essential part of our mission. Your purchase helps us fund our work and raise awareness, enabling us to touch more lives through our weekly sites, one meal at a time. Our goal is to meet physical needs and share the love and message of Jesus with every meal we provide.

Join us in this incredible journey to make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. Your support will help us grow this ministry, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

To order our locally sourced beef products and be a part of something special, visit our online store today. Your support means the world to us, and we look forward to working together to achieve our mission.

Thank you for being a part of our community and for helping us make a positive impact. Together, we can accomplish great things!

PURCHASE BEEF
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2023 Gobble Kit Program

As we eagerly prepare for the sixth year of our Gobble Kit program, we invite you, your friends, family, your church, and the entire community to join us in this heartwarming endeavor. Your partnership can make Thanksgiving 2023 a memorable and meaningful holiday for countless families in need.

Our Impact So Far: Over the past five years, our Gobble Kit program has been a source of hope, providing 3,400 Gobble Kits through our weekly site locations. These kits have nourished the bodies and spirits of over 20,000 people during Thanksgiving. Together, we’ve woven bonds of compassion and love throughout our community.

Exciting Opportunities for You: This year, we’re actively seeking locations willing to set up Gobble Kit displays. These displays come complete with bags ready to be filled by caring members of the community. Your participation can directly connect generous hearts with those who require assistance.

Sponsorship Opportunities: We are also extending the opportunity for sponsorship of the 2023 Gobble Kit program. By becoming a sponsor, you play a pivotal role in ensuring the continued success of this vital community initiative. Click [here] to explore sponsorship options.

A Hands-On Approach: For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, consider donating a Gobble Kit or volunteering your time at our sites. Together, we will sign people up and distribute these Gobble Kits to those who need them most.

Your act of generosity doesn’t just provide nourishment to bodies; it also gives us the opportunity to share the gospel message with those we serve. This holiday season, let us unite in the true spirit of Thanksgiving—sharing blessings, building connections, and spreading the Gospel.

Thank you for your unwavering willingness to be a source of hope for those in need. Your partnership makes a difference, and together, we can make Thanksgiving 2023 truly special for everyone in our community.

GET INVOLVED
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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.

Shopping

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.

AmazonSmile

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.

amazon smile

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.

amazon smile prime

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.

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3 Surprising Facts About Rural Hunger

Poverty & Hunger in Rural vs. Urban America

According to the US Census, rural America makes up 97% of the land mass of our nation. From these areas come vital national resources, including food and energy products. With its seeming abundance, it’s ironic, then, that food insecurity and poverty here tend to outpace urban poverty.

When you think about under-resourced communities in America, most likely your mind swells with images of densely populated cities. Statistically, though, rates of poverty are higher in small towns than that in metropolitan areas. While poverty exists in all communities, there are unique challenges to combating rural hunger and poverty.

In this blog post, you will discover challenges related to rural poverty, how these create a desperate need for tailored hunger intervention, and how Feed the Need Missions is responding to these unique rural needs.

What Causes Increased Poverty & Hunger in Rural Areas?

Rural communities make up 87% of the counties with the highest rates of overall food insecurity. Food insecurity is defined as the lack of consistent access to enough food to sustain a healthy, active life. Also, childhood poverty is much higher in rural areas than in urban cities. What makes these communities particularly vulnerable?

According to PBS, a few common challenges of rural communities include:

  • Employed individuals make less money
  • Rural areas are not experiencing increased job opportunities
  • Disabilities are more common in rural areas

Another important consideration is the lack of convenient access to goods, services, programs and resources that bigger cities enjoy. In small towns, residences, businesses, and yes, grocery stores, tend to be more spread out and sparse. Twenty percent of rural counties in the United States are considered “rural food deserts,” which means a minimum of ten miles must be travelled to reach the nearest market or grocery store, whereas, in urban areas, food deserts are classified for those who need travel only a mile.

How Can We Reduce Rural Poverty & Hunger?

What is becoming evident is that many hard-working families in these rural communities simply cannot reach the life-sustaining resources they need on a consistent basis. Successful intervention must involve bringing the food and resources directly to the community on a regular basis. This is precisely what Feed the Need Missions, a Bastrop, Texas based nonprofit organization, endeavors to do.

Feed the Need Missions harnesses and empowers volunteers, businesses and churches in rural communities to come together to serve and support site locations in their own communities. Currently, we serve nine unique site locations in North and Central Texas, and we are poised for continued expansion throughout Texas and beyond.

These site locations utilize trailers equipped with food and meal prep supplies each week to prepare and serve hot meals to anyone who drives or walks up, free of charge. There is also ample opportunity for much needed bridge building to community resources, emotional support and spiritual guidance for guests. Additional efforts include an annual Gobble Kits campaign, which provides free Thanksgiving Dinner kits (complete with turkeys) to families who sign up in advance.

Help Feed Children & Families in Rural Communities

A simple donation of $20 per month allows Feed the Need Missions to serve 10 people in these communities. When you commit to giving monthly, you are not only providing people in our communities with a meal they can rely on, you are giving them opportunities to learn about the hope and love of Christ. Join us as we bring relief to hardworking families and children in these rural communities. Visit our website to learn more and donate today.

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Feed the Need With Us On Giving Tuesday

What is Giving Tuesday? 

In the coming days, you will likely see social media and email inbox flooded with requests to give for Giving Tuesday. But what exactly is it?

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement designed to empower people to do what they can to improve the world. Situated just after frenzied Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, the initiative calls on the community to pause, to consider others, and to do something to support others and important causes. 
Participation also includes many activities, including:
    • Doing a kind deed for neighbors
    • Volunteering or sharing talents 
    • Giving your voice to a cause that matters to you
    • Donating to a local fundraiser, community drive or coordinated event
With so many worthy nonprofit organizations and activities from which to choose, how do you decide which cause to support? Read on for a few suggestions from our Feed the Need Missions team. 

How to Choose the Nonprofit to Support?

Give to support your community’s needs. One of the most invigorating experiences as a donor or volunteer is to actually see your donation in action— to see change happening and know you were able to support it.

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. 

Give according to your personal values. When you look for your cause, be selective about not only what your organization does, but how.

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

This GivingTuesday, we hope you’ll consider Feed the Need Missions as you make your selection. Every week, we work hard to meet physical and spiritual needs in communities across rural Texas. At our site locations, we provide free weekly dinners open to anyone, as well as spiritual encouragement and prayer support. We also take hope on the road though our disaster relief efforts nationwide. 

Take a few moments to view a testimony from one of our donors here. Here you’ll learn a little more about our values as an organization. If you feel like we are a good fit for you, there are several ways you can give: 

  1. Simply click here to make a donation online. 
    We are so thankful for our generous donors. You can give this one time or even select a monthly amount for ongoing support.

  2. Sign up for AmazonSmile. Many of the gifts you are planning to purchase this holiday season qualify for AmazonSmile. Simply go to smile.amazon.com, select Feed the Need Missions as your default organization, and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to us.
  1. Check with your employer to see if they match donations. This can double or even triple the financial donations or even volunteer hours you generously give to Feed the Need Missions! Search here to see if this is something your employer offers or check with your HR department and ask about matching employee donations.
  1. Give through other revenues. Take a look at our Ways to Give page to learn more about giving to Feed the Need Missions through stocks, planned giving, and more. And feel free to contact us if you have any questions about these various ways to make a difference in our communities.
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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.

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The Beyond Gala Update

What an incredible night we had for The Beyond Gala. We are “Beyond Thankful” for those who gave, participated, prayed and were involved. In a short time of 1 1/2 hours we raised $80,000. With this being our first virtual Gala we are incredibly thankful. Feed the Need Missions has been feeding people physically and spiritually for ten years! We continue to see God grow the ministry and those we serve. Here are a few quotes from people over the last 10 years:

“I never thought Bastrop would have something like this., I came back to Bastrop with the clothes on my back and my two dogs. You guys helped me in many ways. It doesn’t matter your race, what you look like, or who you are you still feed them.” – Joe

“We are a large family. My husband works full time and I take care of the children. Sometimes it’s hard to feed seven people.” – Vasquez Family

“I am gratefully thankful for Feed the Need Missions in helping me see who I really am, learning more about Jesus, and the transformation that has happened in my life. Thank you for accepting me into the family.” – Brandy

We still need your help to continue feeding people physically and spiritually. Our goal for next year is to continue reaching people with the gospel, starting new sites, and putting together a marketing team to help us grow. Will you help us finish raising our goal of $150,000? People like Joe, The Vasquez Family and Brandy need physical and spiritual feeding. Help us raise $70,000 to meet our goal.

Here’s how you can help:

– Donate online HERE
– Mail a check: PO Box 1542 Bastrop, Texas 78602
– Pray for the ministry!

Thank you for an impactful 10 years of serving people physically and spiritually. We couldn’t do this without your help and the support from the communities.

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