Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but the Lord’s decree will prevail.—Proverbs 19:21
Unfamiliar Territory
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Blessed to be a Blessing
You Gain When You Give
Get Involved in Disaster Relief
“Crisis is opportunity dressed up in work clothes.”
More Than a Meal: Feeding Hungry People
“We’ve never been so hungry in our life, “ Peter said.
The first time Peter and Dana came to a Feed the Need Missions site, they had both been struggling with illnesses which took them out of work for some time. During the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, they lost their jobs. They were in a desperate place. “It’s embarrassing to struggle this much. I could possibly lose my car, and I have to move out of my rental place—I have never been this poor my entire life,” Peter shared.
While Peter was raised in church, he had developed a pattern of running from God, returning to God, and then running again. The simple act of receiving a free, no-strings-attached meal and being offered prayer, led to a watershed moment in his faith. It also transformed their outlook on their situation. “You don’t know how much your prayer meant to us,” Dana said. I didn’t even have to ask for prayer you asked me. You brought us hope…and we thank you.”
Do Free Handouts Really Help Needy Families?
First, we believe there is more than one type of hunger. Often this has nothing to do with wealth. Some people may have all the financial comfort they could need, but lack community and support. As they gather surrounded by loving volunteers, the meal helps. Some may be carrying significant emotional burdens. As they are prayed over and connected to resources, the meal helps. And the most urgent, some are experiencing a total starvation of the spirit. They may be completely ensnared in hopelessness or a destructive lifestyle from which they have no idea how to break free. As they discover the truth that freedom is found in Jesus, the meal helps. At Feed the Need Missions, we welcome every king of hungry soul. There is no requirement, and no need to deserve it. There is no taking advantage here, because the truth is, we all need what lies beyond the burger.
Second, regardless of deservedness, we believe that we have a biblical directive to feed and fill others in every sense. Countless scriptures speak to our call as God’s image bearers to be burden sharers. Bridge buildings. A people of reconciliation. To meet every kind of need, regardless (even in spite of) deservedness. Check out a few of those here:
I, the LORD, have called you
for a righteous purpose,
and I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and appoint yo
to be a covenant for the people
and a light to the nations,
to open the eyes of the blind,
to bring prisoners out of the dungeon
and those sitting in darkness
out from the prison house.
Isaiah 42:6-7
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
2 Corinthians 5:18
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:35-36, 40
Volunteer Opportunities to Feed the Hungry
If reading these scriptures and hearing these stories of real life change inspires you, Feed the Need Missions would love to meet you and give you the opportunity to start filling up every kind of hunger in Jesus’ name. Check out our site locations, choose one hear you, and simply show up! Everyone is welcome to eat, and everyone is invited to serve.
Playing to Your Strengths
“Invariably, when I go through the line at the grocery store, someone looks at my cart stuffed full of grill-out supplies and says, ‘You must be throwing a party.’ And every time, my response is the same. ‘Yep, we are! And you’re invited!'”
Larry serves Feed the Need Missions as a purchasing volunteer, shopping prior to the site meeting each week to ensure all supplies and ingredients are up to par and ready to go for serving the community.
Larry’s commanding voice earns him attention from other shoppers and staff in the grocery store. “Other people can hear me two or three aisles down, giving out the details about what I’m doing and why.”
The platform he has been given via the volume of his voice (and the groceries in the cart) is something he uses to his advantage. Capitalizing on the curiosity around him, Larry takes the opportunity to be invitational and informational. And the impact is incredible.
A “Chance” Encounter
“About a month ago, standing in line, I was checking out, explaining Feed the Need mission and vision to the cashier. I was explaining that we simply feed our community, and share the love of Christ. A gentleman behind me blurted out, ‘I want to come!’ I replied that at our sites, everyone is welcome. We do meet physical needs, sure, but our hope is to relieve all kinds of hunger, from empty bellies to a need for companionship, purpose and prayer. Seconds later he shoved a $20 bill in to my hand and said, ‘Let me help you buys your groceries tonight.'”
“The story didn’t end there. Not long after, the same gentleman showed up at the site. ‘Do you remember me?’ he asked. I grinned. Of course I did. ‘I decided I want to come help, if you could use me.’ It was incredible how the Lord used a chance encounter at the grocery to connect us and mobilize this man to give and serve with me.”
“We visited, talked about Jesus, and I shared more about what we do at Feed the Need Missions. I learned a precious lesson that day. You just never know who’s listening.”
We love how Larry is embracing his role, and his unique personality, making himself available to be used by the Lord and draw people to the sites.
An Open Invitation
Our challenge for you today is to think about how God has uniquely equipped YOU to serve, to give. Maybe you could help support our mission through a twenty dollar donation, like the man in the grocery store. Maybe it’s time to visit a site and find out what we’re all about. If you’re ready to put feet to your faith, activate your own unique skills for the Kingdom of God and serve your community, we want you to know you’re invited to the Feed the Need family! We would love to meet you, pray for you, and help you find the perfect place to plug in! Check out our locations, find one near you—we can’t wait to meet you!
If you are ready to maximize the ultimate measure of your life, you can rest assured that Feed the Need Missions is an avenue through which you can make a major impact on those in most need and also reflect the character and values of Dr King.
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.
BASTROP SOUTH serves every Monday starting at 5:00pm at Primera Baptist Church located at 301 Paul C Bell St, Bastrop, TX 78602.
Scott
“I have lived in Texas my entire life. I’ve lived in Bastrop for 33 yrs and I have never seen anything like Feed the Need Missions before,” he said. Scott lives with his son and has been attending the site for 7 years. During the 7 years he’s been coming he went through some very challenging times, “my parents house burned down in 2011, a few years later they passed away, my wife also had left me and we divorced, my son had gotten very sick and I almost died from diabetic coma, and you guys were always there to listen and to pray for me,” he said.
When asked how Feed the Need Missions has helped him he replied, “it’s helped me from running out of food. I am able to stretch our food to make it week by week.”
“The encouragement that I receive here has helped me grow socially. I am able to talk more about my personal struggles and about God to other people. I’ve had a problem with going to church since my mom has passed away and you guys have helped fill me spiritually,” Scott said.
Sandra
“I have been through so much and I know where to come for prayer, right here” Sandra said with tears in her eyes. Sandra has been fighting cancer for over a year and just started radiation. Her outlook on life is always positive and she brings so much joy when she comes. “When I am here the presence of God is here, I can feel it,” she said.
She has lived in Bastrop for many years with her husband who currently works, but with medical bills and hardship she can’t always get a good meal. “I love the burgers even when I’m not feeling good, I still love them,” she said giggling.
“I can’t imagine my life without you guys. I have been coming here for years and every time I am here you welcome me with open arms. Today I wanted to come to give everyone a hug to let them know how much they are appreciated, just like the appreciation and encouragement you give me. I have grown so much in my faith and I truly believe I am healed from cancer. Maybe not on earth but I will be in heaven,” she said crying. “Thank you for everything you have done for me,” she added.
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 Scott and Sandra, 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.
Barbara, a retired gym teacher from Franklin, Texas lost her home in the Franklin F3 Tornado. “I was laying on my bedroom floor when the roof was lifted off of my house,” she said. Her aged father was in a closet in the hallway. “All I could do was pray, and pray hard,” she said with tears.
She brings so much joy to her community, before and after the tornado. In fact, people kept telling us how much joy she still brings to them even though she lost everything, including her three vehicles. When asked about her joy, she said, “Why let it get you down? All lives were spared by the grace of God. He didn’t have to do that.”
Like Barbara, many others got to experience what the love of Christ is all about. “I came here every morning, and every evening and sometimes at lunch time too. I could have easily went to other places giving out free food, but there is just something special about you people, I know it’s God, but come on, there must be something else,” she would tell us with a hug.
Barbara touched our hearts too. Watching the joy and her being strong for her community was endless. She welcomed everyone with open arms and asked every single person how they were doing. Some days she cried, but most days she had a smile. On our last day of serving she came by and hugged us all and said, “You have helped me so much in ways I can’t even describe, if my house is built by Christmas, you can all come to my house for Christmas dinner so I can feed you like you did for me and the community.”
Feed the Need Missions has wrapped up our time serving those affected by the tornado in Franklin, Texas, however we are always preparing to respond to the next disaster.
Can you partner with Feed the Need Missions and help us be prepared when a disaster strikes by providing a donation today? Simply click the donate button and designate your gift to disaster relief. Thank you!
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.
Newark Serves every Tuesday starting at 6:00pm at the Park Near Fire Station located at 405 Hudson Street, Newark, TX 76071.
Scottlan and Ronette
Scottlan and Ronette have been married for almost 11 years. They have four beautiful daughters. The family heard about Feed the Need Missions from Brandon (Justin, Site Coordinator). They helped Brandon get the Justin site established.
“I love the simplicity of Feed the Need Missions. Love God and Love People. Feed the Need Missions does just that. When we found out we were moving to Aurora we were sad to leave the Justin site but we knew there was a great need for one in Newark so we began to pray about becoming Site Coordinators,” said Ronette.
After a year of prayer and preparation Scottlan and Ronette are now the Site Coordinators of the newest site in North Fort Worth; Newark. “It has had such an impact on me. It has shown me that the gospel is simple. We don’t have to complicate it. I am blessed each week by seeing people serve others and seeing others fall in love with Jesus by using the burgers as a tool. It draws me closer to the Lord and blesses my soul,” she said.
Meagan
Meagan and her family moved to Rome 3 ½ years ago. “God said here is your home, now do something with it. My family and I have been looking for community. Feed the Need Missions is a beautiful thing that gets people out with no strings attached. It’s exactly what I always envisioned real, raw authentic ministry to be,” she said. “We now have a place to serve together.”
Meagan explains exactly what Feed the Need Missions is: “You look out and see a legacy. It’s a seed. Jesus said go out and feed the people and share the love and that’s what you guys are doing,” Meagan said. Feed the Need Missions spreads the seed of Jesus Christ.
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.
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.
JUSTIN Serves every Thursday starting at 5:30pm at Justin Park located at 415 North College Ave., Justin, TX 78647.
Jay
Jay moved to Justin Texas from California in 1975. Growing up he spent most of his life moving around. “Dad was in the military and we moved around every 3 years. I had a hard time making friends and keeping friends because of it,” he said.
He moved in with his parents in 2009 to take care of them. In 2010 his father passed away and in 2016 his mother. Jay was married, but divorced because of alcoholism and other reasons. Right before he moved in with his parents Jay decided he needed to quit drinking and to get his life back on track with God.
After Jay’s mother died he started battling depression. He found himself slipping back with no where to turn. Before Jay started serving he would come to get free food and Brandon, our Justin Site Coordinator would pray with him every chance he could. Soon, Jay started serving and was being picked up for church by Brandon.
But that’s not all, just a few months ago Jay called Brandon in desperation. He was wanting to take his life. With a gun to his head he sent a desperate text message to Brandon and Brandon immediately went to his house. Through conversations and prayer Jay realized his life on earth still had meaning.
Jay was just recently baptized at First Baptist Church Justin where Brandon attends. Brandon was able to be in the baptismal with Jay. “I was the crazy guy dancing and raising my hands in the air after I came up out of the water. If it wasn’t for Brandon helping me through my challenges and praying with me, I would not have been able to experience God’s presence, and if it wasn’t for Feed the Need Missions I wouldn’t have a place where I can serve and share my story with others.”
Sheila
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.