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From Recovery to Inspiration: Annie’s Story

At Feed the Need Missions, we believe that a burger is more than just a meal; it’s a tool to share the Gospel and spread love within our community. Our weekly cookouts serve not only hot meals but also spiritual nourishment to anyone who stops by. Today, we want to share a remarkable story from our Bastrop South Site – a story of transformation, faith, and the incredible love and care our volunteers show to one another and the guests we serve. This is the story of Annie, who has been a part of our journey for about the last year and a half.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of Feed the Need Missions is the way our volunteers rally around those in need. Annie’s story is a testament to this spirit of compassion and support. One aspect of our sites is not just the guests we serve, but also our volunteers. In this case, our volunteers have the opportunity to serve alongside a local women’s program, where ladies are working on recovery from addiction.

About six months ago, Annie completed the women’s program that she was in, graduating and recovering from her addictions. Upon completing this program, she has continued to come and serve on a weekly basis, continuing to grow her character and faith. Not only has she graduated, but she has also landed a job and is now helping to facilitate our Table Talk discussions.

As we continue our mission to serve both physically and spiritually, we are reminded that our work is not just about the food we provide but also the hope, love, and transformation we inspire. Annie’s journey reminds us that, with faith and support, anyone can overcome adversity and thrive. We invite you to join us in making a difference in the lives of those we serve and spreading the message that a burger can be a powerful tool for sharing the Gospel and transforming lives.

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A Child’s Question, A Lesson in Compassion

“Mama, where are the grown-ups?” my four-year-old son asked at the site. He was looking at the table behind us and saw a group of kids sitting together, but they didn’t have a mom or dad with them. “What do you mean, buddy?” I wanted to make sure I understood what he was asking about but also wanted to buy some time to process an answer for him.

In the next few moments, we had the opportunity to process an element of spiritual and physical poverty that was way beyond his years. It was choppy and a little inconclusive on my end, but I took a stab at processing it together. The result was awesome despite my lack of a perfect answer.

He went and played with those kids like they were no different than he was. He loved on the kids that didn’t have a grown-up with them like Jesus would. It can be downright hard and intimidating to bring young kids to a site to serve. Their focus is short, and the involvement is a lopsided pendulum of keeping them out of trouble to sparse conversations with other adults.

The Lord showed me that evening at the site, with my son’s simple observation, that He doesn’t hide behind perfect answers and performances. His glory is for all ages to experience and thrives when we do life all together: grown-ups and kids, those praying and those eating a burger, those with a grown-up in tow, and those without.

Give showing up at a site next week a go with your whole family. It probably won’t be what you expected, but it will be worth the effort.

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Meet A Volunteer: Beth

A lot has changed in the past few years in Bastrop and the world. In 2020, I experienced some COVID anxiety, along with feeling lonely and disconnected while isolating during the pandemic. Many years ago, I was trapped in a cycle of ‘stinkin’ thinkin’,’ leading me down a dark path of depression and panic attacks. A neighbor invited me to church, and I began a journey with Jesus—a transformation that helped lift me out of depression and gave me hope.

Over the years, I’ve seen over and over how God never wastes a hurt and how we’re not defined by what’s happened to us but by the God we serve. In June of last year, I began volunteering with Feed The Need Missions in Bastrop. Wow! Right from the start, I was overwhelmed by the kindness and welcoming nature of the other volunteers. I’ve really enjoyed the friends I’ve made serving together.

It has been eye-opening and, at times, awe-inspiring, seeing God at work through Feed The Need Missions. The power of prayer, a kind word, along with a smile and a listening ear, opens the door to building relationships with the folks we serve. You learn to sympathize with their sorrows and celebrate in their victories. There’s something uniquely personal when you serve guests a free burger along with knowing their name. It opens the conversational door to asking, “How’s it going in your life? And how can I pray for you?” I have a recent memory I will always cherish. This past November, while giving out Gobble kits, one of the guests asked if he could pray for us volunteers. We all gathered around his vehicle, and he shared a beautiful prayer of praise and thankfulness for Feed The Need Missions and their volunteers. It was priceless! Feed The Need Missions is about seeing God’s love in action while sharing the love of Christ. It’s about loving your neighbor and listening to them. I’m grateful for the wonderful tribe of volunteers I serve with.

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Site Volunteer: Willy

There are some people in our lives when we think about them, we can’t help but smile. Willy is one of those individuals. You will almost always find Willy with a smile on his face and a warm welcome when he sees you. He’s like a hawk, and always sees you first!

Raised by a single mother, Willy was quickly welcomed into a group of men from a local church who felt called to walk with him. Willy‘s involvement with Feed the Need Missions started more than five years ago when one of the men from his church brought him out to serve. He quickly found his place at the Bastrop South site, and before long Willy was submerged in not one but two faith families.

The fact Willy does not drive has not stopped him from getting to the site faithfully each week! When asked why he serves his response was straightforward but powerful, “Because that’s what we are supposed to do.”  Willy is the site’s “muscle man” and always ready to jump in and help carry the heavy items for setup and teardown. He doesn’t grill, take orders or pray with guests, but he has found a way to use his special abilities to contribute to the kingdom work happening at the site each week. Willy is an invaluable member of the team and we are so grateful to have him serve alongside us!

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Site Volunteer: Carol

Carol has been serving with Feed the Need Missions for three years. Starting as a volunteer and working her way into a leadership role she found her “happy place.” Currently she serves as the Site Coordinator at our LBA location.

She leads with integrity putting Christ first and making disciples. The volunteers at the site support Carol in making decisions. She leads through them. A site volunteer said “Carol loves her people and understands the mission of Feed the Need Missions, we are one big family”.

When Carol was asked what her favorite part about serving is, she responded with “serving people outside the walls of the church. People don’t want to go into the churches, for whatever reason. So we bring it to them. Jesus tells us to go where my people are, and we get to do that,”

The Lord is growing Carol through Feed the Need Missions, she shared: “It has helped my marriage and for us to serve and grow together. Doing this together has been a saving grace. My husband is praying again for dinner, sharing the gospel at the grill, serving together, and praying for our guests. We are learning how to do this together.”

We stand behind our site leaders and volunteers! For the month of March, Carol was nominated Volunteer of the Month. Our staff thank’s YOU Carol, for your time and commitment serving every Thursday every week. You are a blessing to so many. Thank you for being obedient and the continuation of making disciples.

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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.

A story of faithfulness

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

 

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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Feeding Hungry Souls: Gobble Kits 2021

Putting the GIVING in Thanksgiving Dinner

Four years ago, Feed the Need Missions had the opportunity to partner with a local church distributing Thanksgiving meals to families in need in the Bastrop area. Witnessing the incredible need and missional opportunity for such an effort in the community, the annual Thanksgiving Gobble Kits campaign was born in 2018. In its inaugural year, 
  • 467 families received a meal kit
  • 14 churches and local businesses partnered with us
  • 177 donors provided to make the kits
  • 190 volunteers helped assemble and distribute kits
  • 1,500 meals were served that week across all of our sites

Since that time, Feed the Need Missions has been partnering with churches, businesses, and communities to provide Thanksgiving meal kits to families in need across several communities across Texas. The program has continued to grow each year. Last year, over the course of four Gobble Kit distribution days in November, we served Thanksgiving meal kits to eight Texas communities, with the help of more than 250 volunteers, made possible by financial support from more than 350 donors. We distributed a record 764 Gobble Kits, praying over every single guest. With this growth of reach has come a wide array of ways to get involved, making Gobble Kits an annual favorite of many volunteers. Check out the variety of fun and meaningful opportunities for you to serve others this Thanksgiving below.

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.

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You Never Know Who’s Listening: A Volunteer Story

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!

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