Yesterday, what a blessing we had 40 loaves of bread donated & 4 boxes of apples from the Apple Guy.
The numbers were down this week but we were entertained by a lady who has a great sense of humour!!
Way to go Bobbi :) my only suggestion is to put up a bigger pic of you gals, amazing that there has to a soup kitchen in little old Houston eh? Y'all are an inspiration :) ~El
Good for you guys. I think it can be a very rewarding ministry if you avoid the trap of 'enabling' your patrons. It is great if you can involve them in serving or clean-up or something that allows them to 'earn' their meal. I have been involved at the soup kitchen in Regina for 5 years and have become disillusioned by the complaints and expectations of many patrons that it is their 'right' to receive a decent meal. There is also a real danger in enabling the addicts to continue in their addictions by supplying free food so they are able to use their money for their addiction. I know you are only supplying one meal a week so this isn't a real danger at this point. There is a very good book called When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the Poor that speaks to this issue. You are doing a great work. Keep it up. May God continue to bless you so you are able to be a blessing to those around you. Ken Jaarsma
Way to go Bobbi :) my only suggestion is to put up a bigger pic of you gals, amazing that there has to a soup kitchen in little old Houston eh? Y'all are an inspiration :) ~El
ReplyDeleteGood for you guys. I think it can be a very rewarding ministry if you avoid the trap of 'enabling' your patrons. It is great if you can involve them in serving or clean-up or something that allows them to 'earn' their meal. I have been involved at the soup kitchen in Regina for 5 years and have become disillusioned by the complaints and expectations of many patrons that it is their 'right' to receive a decent meal. There is also a real danger in enabling the addicts to continue in their addictions by supplying free food so they are able to use their money for their addiction. I know you are only supplying one meal a week so this isn't a real danger at this point.
ReplyDeleteThere is a very good book called When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the Poor that speaks to this issue.
You are doing a great work. Keep it up.
May God continue to bless you so you are able to be a blessing to those around you.
Ken Jaarsma