Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
At this time, we are getting ready for our summer feeding program. This year, we will feed between 800 and 1200 meals a day from Monday, July 6th to September 1st. The children that we feed are labeled “at-risk children” and are some of the most hurting in the city.
We have experienced a lot of resistance in feeding these children and we will need your prayers and support to make the 2009 summer feeding a success. Last year, we had to respond to the Kathina Thomas shooting that launched us into another area of ministry to make some of these dangerous areas of the city safer for children. We began by taking in hand guns to get them off the streets in the area. As a result, shootings have gone down dramatically. The numbers are down from 52 gunshots fired with 28 people hit last year to only 28 gunshots fired with 8 people hit this year. As you can see, the program is working.
I hope you received our newsletter with all the great things that God is doing through our work. I believe that our focus is right in line with the Word of God: sharing truth, bringing deliverance to the people; giving hope, alleviating despair; and taking care of widows and orphans. This year our plan is very complex as we will not only feed children, but we will foster and mentor many of them as well. With over 150 people involved this year, it will be our best summer feeding to date.
I will now express our needs to you and as we pray, we will ask God to use us all in meeting some of these needs: The first is the need for 3 vehicles to deliver these lunches. Our ambulance that we will use needs new tires and a complete overhaul, costing an estimated $2,300.00. The rental of two additional vans from U-haul for two months will cost $3,000.00. We are also in need of twenty 155-quart Yeti Coolers that not only hold the cold but can be tossed around without breaking. These coolers are $300 and that’s with a discount of ½ off the original price. The total comes to $6,000.00. That brings the total need to $11,300.00.
These are our most pressing items. With your help, I believe we can meet all of these needs and make the life of an at-risk child a little easier. I am believing that everyone will take a moment to consider this need, and then respond by giving towards this great mission work. I know God will bless you and that the work we will accomplish together this summer will help care for these hurting children.
In His Service and His Love,
Pastor Charlie