Christmas Is Coming!

Hello, my name is Charity Blumer, and I am Paul's wife. It has been a long time since I have written for the blog. I am excited to write this entry in order to share what we will be doing this Christmas for the homeless people that we serve at Food for Life. We invite those interested in reaching out to those in need to partner with us in our effort to give much needed items as a special gift to those to whom we are reaching out this Christmas. Let me tell you what we will be doing and how you can help.

This Christmas we would like to give a backpack to every person in need at Food for Life. In the backpack will be a variety of needed items. The estimated cost of each backpack will be $30. The following is the list of items needed, separated into two categories.

First, we will be needing some used but clean items (used because they are things that homeless people often lose, so it is not necessary that they be new). The items are as follows: backpacks, blankets, towels, and wash clothes.

Second, we will be needing the following new items: pocket Bibles, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, combs, socks, knit hats, gloves, boxed nonperishable food items, a candy bar, and a $5 gift card to a restaurant (like McDonalds).

We need volunteers to either sponsor a backpack or donate the needed items to make this special gift possible for each person at Food for Life. Those interested in donating financially are welcome to send a check to Paul. As mentioned earlier, the estimated cost of each bag is $30, and we will be needing 75 bags. If donations would be of interest to anyone, we will be collecting 75 of each item mentioned above.

We will begin by asking that during the next two weeks, from now until December 4, used backpacks (clean with no tears) ,pocket Bibles (New Testaments are great too), towels, wash clothes, and blankets be donated. The donated items can be dropped off at Streetside Catering.
We will be collecting the rest of the items during the following weeks.

We are excited about reaching out to those with great spiritual, emotional, and physical needs this Christmas. We appreciate everyone who will be partnering with us at this special time of year!
~Charity

Guest Blogger

Hey guys, my name is Brittany Dail. I’m a student at North Greenville University and Marc asked me to be do the blog this week for FFL. The funny thing is, it was this very blog, that I stumbled across on accident, which informed me about this ministry at Triune. Ever since then I’ve been trying to come every week that I can. It has been really cool to tell my church, Northpointe, about it as well. When Paul first e-mailed me about this ministry, one of the things he pointed out is that he wanted for the volunteers to break out beyond the kitchen. This was big challenge to me at first, but I am seeing more and more each week where he is coming from. The opportunity to provide a meal for someone is incredible, but the chance to share with them the Good news? I think that far out weighs any physical way of providing for someone’s needs.

It has been really cool to sit down and talk to the many people that come from week to week. God has really been breaking down walls in my life as I get to know and continue serving the people that come through. Also, by building relationships, I am able to see what some of the need is among these people in my own community and as God leads, find other possible ways to reach out. Since some of my church family at Northpointe has been coming to serve lately, I am even more excited! My heart is that we will continue to build relationships and be as intentional as possible with our conversations. I also pray that we would look for opportunities to love on those that don’t always receive much love, and share what Christ has done in our lives.
~Brittany