February Update

Dear Neighbors,

Neighbors of Hope is now into its fifteenth year of serving Jesus among the hungry, homeless and addicted. Over twelve-hundred men have come through our doors since our opening in 2006. Over 55,000 men, women and children have received hunger relief from our feeding ministry—Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry—since we opened in May 2010. And in just five months, our Women & Children’s Ministry has served fifteen women and a dozen children.

As I think of all these individuals whom we have brought hope to, I find myself reflecting on the “fruitful good-byes”, or success stories, we have had over these years. I think of the likes of “Big Jeff”, our first LifeChange Program graduate, who now serves Jesus among the broken in the ministries of Salvation Army in Toledo, Ohio. I think of our former Fresh Start Program member, “Red”, who at the age of 30 successfully obtained his high school diploma and is now enrolled in college. I think of Eric, who overcame his issues of addiction and graduated from our one-year program several years ago and now is one of our employees, managing our Blessings & More Donation Center for nearly the past two years. There are so many other stories of God’s empowering hope bearing fruit in this ministry, each one finding restoration in their lives, health, employment, relationships, families and faith; each one contributing to the betterment of our community.

God continues to move through this ministry with the recent acquisition of our Good Neighbor Center—a new facility for our Men’s Ministry as well as a space for our future ministry to the addicted, families and veterans—slated to open later this year. As I think of the wonderfulness of our God and the powerful beauty of His restorative love made visible in those who have come through our doors, I am truly grateful for your help in making all of this possible through your prayers and support.

I hope you can see how your support of this ministry is helping to make our community a better place. Thank you for caring!

In Service to Christ,