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But he who has mercy on the poor,
happy is he.
Proverbs 14:21
Our Daily Bread Ministries has set up a much needed homeless shelter at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds -
With the thermometer dipping into the low 30's this past week, and that trend expecting to continue another 2 weeks, Our Daily Bread Ministries has made the decision to use their Christmas drive donation money to rent the arts and crafts building at the fairgrounds until 12/31/08 to house those in need.
Mike Justice, the director of Our Daily Bread, says they have about 100 cots that arrived by a county truck and they are serving three meals a day.
"Our first night (last night) we had 25 people, tonight we expect 35, and it will quickly go up from there as word spreads."
Justice says that the homeless population does not shrink in Del Norte County in the wintertime.
"These people are long time residents who have run into hard times. Usually a homeless situation starts when you can't pay the power bill, then the water bill, then the rent, and then you're out on the street."
With the present economic downturn, the homeless popluation is increasing while donations are decreasing, putting a strain on those who want to contribute and those who need assistance.
Our Daily Bread has been helping homeless people in Del Norte County for the last three years and Justice says that donations are definitely decreasing with the downturn in the economy. Justice says that they have about 25 people who faithfully give to the ministry each month with the average monthly donation falling between $60-$100. Justice projects it would take about 75 faithful contributors to keep the ministry in full swing, providing a hot meal 5 nights a week, one of his goals for the ministry.
"When we first started the ministry, we were providing a hot meal 5 nights a week. Because of the decrease in donations, we are now providing a hot meal Monday, Wednesday and Friday," Justice said.
Justice is proud of the successes that Our Daily Bread Ministries has seen in the last three years. He says that there are 15 stories that stand out among the rest, but one in particular.
A man, Steve, lost all he had and moved here from Iowa, but could not find work. He took to sleeping in his car in the park and getting at least one nutritous and warm meal a day at Our Daily Bread. Steve began working at Our Daily Bread, then was hired on and is being paid through Experienced Works. He has purchased a home and is an important part of the Our Daily Bread team.
I asked Justice if they have any particular needs at this point in time. "We never have too much money or too many volunteers," he said and added he is extremely thankful for the assistance and donations they have received thus far.
Our Daily Bread needs volunteers to help man the shelter which is open 24 hours a day until the 31st of December.
Please keep this valuable resource in mind if you know of someone in need and keep Our Daily Bread in mind if you are looking for a way to provide for those in need this holiday season. You can donate to this worthwhile ministry on their website at Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Our Daily Bread offers these services...
- Free Hot Meals and Gospel services Monday - Friday 6pm
- " Freedom Now" Drug and Alcohol Ministry (Tuesday and Thursday) 3pm
- Clothing Closet/ hygene supplies (as available daily)
- Tarps, sleepings bags, tents, blankets, toiletries, emergency items (as available daily)
- Discipleship program
- Emergency Housing Referral (Outreach Gospel Mission, RHS)
- Emergency Housing assistance (as available daily)
- Local Agency Referral
- Biblical counsel
- Laundry service (as available)
- Showers
- Labor pool (as available)
How Our Daily Bread has impacted Del Norte County...
- Over 17,000 meals served to the needy in the past year and a half, 800-1000 each month
- Over 300 articles of clothing given monthly
- 20-25 blankets/ sleeping bags distributed to the needy weekly
- 300 nights of lodging offered through emergency shelters
- 3 families placed into permanent housing assisted and or financed by Our Daily Bread Ministries
- 200 decisions to follow Christ
- 40 lives transformed through discipleship, more each day
- Miracles daily
Thank you for stopping by. Your comments on this post are welcomed and appreciated.
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Fran,
God bless those who serve the needs of the least of our brothers and sisters!!! Thanks, Fran