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A Forgotten Community

Meet volunteers Ben and Debbie Ortiz. They faithfully serve weekly at our Stony Point site.

When asked about the impact on the Stony Point community Feed the Need Missions has had Ben shared, “Stony Point is a forgotten community and people do not want to go in there.”

“Not even the cops,” Debbie chimed in.

“Feed the Need Missions makes people feel like they are somebody and not forgotten,” Ben continued.

Ben and Debbie have lived near Stony Point for 40 years and are far too familiar with Stony Point’s reputation.

“We Christians have an ability to make people invisible, and so many have made Stony Point invisible. You can walk by people and make them invisible, walk by them like they are not even there”, Ben admitted. “Feed the Need Missions has changed that,” he continued.

“People are hungry for interaction, to be seen, to be prayed for,” Debbie added.

Serving has helped Ben, Debbie and countless others to see people the way God sees them and recognize opportunities to demonstrate God’s love to those we might otherwise walk right by without a second thought. Debbie recognized there were still people in the community that were not served and felt the Lord prompting them to go into these rougher areas.

“She [Debbie] reminded me we are forgetting the people in the corner. I have the ability to close my eyes to the things I don’t want to see,” Ben said. This opened a door to reach deeper into the community to serve people who are inaccessible to most.

One night after serving there was left over food and Ben saw an opportunity to serve those who most would ignore. He headed into that dark pocket with provision and purpose. Using the burger as a tool he offered a meal and prayer.

The response was overwhelming. Ben shared how one woman was tearful as she received the food and prayer. “The people that are bad when they see someone praying for them they’ll come up to you to get prayer. That’s what Feed the Need Missions has allowed me to do, to go into those spots in my community. It gave me a reason to go into those places to share the gospel.”

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What Feed the Need Missions Means to Me

When I think about Feed The Need Missions and how it’s specifically impacted my immediate family and our family by marriage (we call ourselves the “Chamores,” which is a combination of our last names, Chastain and Gilmore). It is like witnessing a beautiful patchwork quilt of people coming together from all walks of life.

Our crew is a mix of city slickers and country folks, and while we may disagree about worldly topics, we’re all on the same page about Jesus—He is King, and we’re here to spread His love and make a difference in our community.

Sixty years separates the youngest from the oldest. But this generationally diverse group has shown me we can all serve. When asked what Feed the Need Missions means to them, or who they serve at the weekly sites, there was a unifying theme of love, compassion, and community.

Colton (7) sees Feed the Need Missions as a way to ensure nobody goes spiritually or physically hungry by sharing the gospel and burgers. Hope (12) keeps it simple but profound: “Jesus loves all people.” The way the little children see things so plainly is a testament to the simplicity of sharing God’s love.

Our teenagers, Cleo (13), Brooke (16), and Savannah (16), talk about how serving at Feed the Need Missions pushes them out of their comfort zones and lets them share Jesus’ love by building relationships. It’s inspiring to see the younger generation embracing the idea of community and spreading Jesus’ love.

Then we’ve got Jeremy, Kim, and Dana (20s/30s), who emphasize how diverse the Feed the Need Missions community is, with folks from all walks of life coming together. It’s like a big, loving family.

The more seasoned folks in our family—Susan, Waylon, Jack, Carol, and Floyd (40s-60s)—see Feed the Need Missions as a way to build a community, bring the message of Jesus outside the walls of a church, remind people that they’re loved, and give them a sense of purpose.

Waylon admitted that he wished Feed the Need Missions had been around earlier in his life. It might have led him to Jesus sooner. It’s incredible how personal experiences can drive our desire to help others.

In our diverse bunch (7-67 years old), Feed the Need Missions isn’t just a mission—it’s Jesus’ calling for every one of us, regardless of age. We are called to spread the gospel and build a body of disciples, which happens every week at each one of our sites.

The “Chamore” Family see God moving in their lives, the lives of all our volunteers, and our weekly guests. Feed the Need Missions brings people together, spreads love and compassion, and reminds us that every single one of us has a purpose in God’s grand plan.

We’re beyond thankful to Feed the Need Missions for being the bridge that brings two families together, not just through marriage–but through a simple meal.

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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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Charlie: 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 Charlie 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. Charlie is a great example of this.

 

Charlie 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, Charlie 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.”

 

Charlie 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 Charlie today, you would know you are loved. Not just by Charlie, but also by Jesus. That is the impact he has on others. While Charlie 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 Charlie’s lifestyle of trust.

Allen: Faithfulness is Contagious

“Charlie 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 Charlie 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

“Charlie 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. Charlie has a real Jesus-focused heart. The way he handles people is a real gift.”

Tommy: Faithfulness Brings Others Along

“When Charlie 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 Charlie. 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 Charlie’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 Charlie. 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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