Homeless Ministry: “Unto the Least of These”
Jesus gave us an example as to how to treat ALL people (Please read Matt. 25:31-40) – with KINDNESS and COMPASSION. Just as He did when He lived in a physical body on earth 2,000 years ago. He was loving and kind to all those who were underserved, homeless, and anyone in need. We need to do this NOW, just as He did years ago. We are ALL made in the IMAGE of GOD. We are ALL equal, with a need for BELONGING, feeling worthy, and the NEED to be LOVED! Our ministry endeavors to treat people in the same manner that Jesus did.
Our ministry started in January 2020. A packed car was used at first. Now, the church van is used in the same manner. We pray at the church before we leave. We go out to the streets of Evansville as well as to specific sites on Mondays and Thursdays -- the Salvation Army lunch line, the METS bus station, and finally the United Caring Shelter.
Ways to get involved:
1. Occasionally drive the van. Drive the church van on Mondays or Thursdays when the regular drivers are out. Volunteers may simply drive the van as others take and distribute needed items to the homeless, or they can also interact with the homeless if they desire.
2. Ride along. Schedule a date to ride along with the team to witness the ministry in motion.
3. Donate needed items. The items in the following table are the kinds of things we share with those we meet on the streets. See the Missions section of the Midweek Newsletter for the list of specific currently needed items. If you don’t have used items or time to shop, monetary donations are appreciated so we can buy the items we need most.
Year-round needs:
· Blankets-new or cleaned used
· Backpacks-good, used
· Baseball caps-new or used
· Socks-preferably new or clean used, men’s crew or ankle style, sizes 6-12 (women wear these, too)
· Blue jeans-new or cleaned used, for men and women. HUGE NEED in winter!
· T-shirts-new or cleaned used. Medium, large, XL, 2XL. HUGE NEED!
· Hygiene items, hotel-sized toiletries (ALL NEW): toothpaste, bars of soap, shampoo, combs, razors, deodorant, small bottles of hand lotion, small packages of menstrual pads
· Clean, used bath towels and washcloths
· Rolls of toilet paper (one roll per person is given)
· New masks
· Men’s briefs-NEW ONLY, sizes medium, large, and extra-large
· Women’s panties-NEW ONLY, sizes 7 and 9.
· Shoes for both men and women that are clean and in decent shape.
Additional summer needs:
· Men’s shorts, women’s capris
Additional winter needs:
· Sweatshirts, coats, gloves, sleeping bags, pull-on warm hats, warm scarves, and jogging pants
4. Participate in the Aldersgate fall sweatshirt drive for the local homeless community.
Due to storage limitations, winter items can be brought to the church no sooner than early September. Please bring items to the church and place them in the grocery cart labeled “For Homeless Ministry” just inside the entrance off of Lincoln Avenue Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Friday, 9 a.m.-noon.
The contact for this ministry is Jennie Hiam at 812-204-1190.
