Current Needs

It has been a while since I posted here and I need to let you know about our current needs.

1. Prayers, just keep them coming. Prayers are the fuel that runs this ministry!!
2. We have been spending all the donated cash on food to cook and food to stock the pantry. We are not running out, but we are getting low. Please consider a cash donation. It is tax deductible, just make sure Chris or I know if you made a donation.
3. Clothes needs include men's jeans, underwear, belts and tube socks.
4. The Center needs staffing help on days other than the Bethany Lane days. A web site has been started that includes a calendar so you can see what days have what staffing needs. Check it out at http://rt1daycenter.wikispaces.com/
5. They need a lawyer to represent one of our friends in a criminal case. If you can help in this way contact me.
6. They need a realtor to help us find a larger space. If you can help in this way contact me.

We get to serve this weekend, come join us

This weekend is our turn at the Day Center. With Christmas right around the corner, this opportunity can only increase our appreciation for Jesus' birth. If you want to help, just let me know and we will make it happen.

Here is a copy of an email I sent on the Deacon Careline earlier today.


Hello,


We get to serve the homeless again this weekend!! Please consider adding one of these opportunities to your Christmas Celebrations. Here are the plans for both Saturday and Monday. Please let me know how you can help.

For Saturday
We are cooking sloppy joes at the church on Friday at 1pm
The center is open from 10-2 and need to have volunteers at the center at 9:30 to greet, serve, organize and transport.

For Monday
We are cooking roast pork at the church right after the 10:30 service on Sunday to allow people to go caroling later that day
I will provide lunch for the cooks
We will heat the food on Monday morning
We need to have the food at the center by 1:30
We serve from 2-6 and we need people to greet, serve and organize supplies.
A Christmas party is happening at this time and we get to join in singing Christmas carols.


Again, please let me know how you can serve. This would be a great addition to your celebration of Christ’s birth.

Have fun,
Dennis Allen
410-465-0150x11
dennis@bethanylanebaptist.org

Update on needs - Nov 29

I visited the Center today and here is what is needed and not needed.

Things we don't need
Heaters - The Center was given a generous donation and dozens of heaters were purchased at a great price.
Boots - As noted before, all the needs have been filled
Pants, shirts - As of know, the inventory is in good shape

Things we do need
Food!! - The pantry is not in great shape. If you got a food card last Sunday, please purchase the item and bring it in
Hoodies - These are still in demand. Large and x-large.
Socks - As usual, you can't go wrong with tube socks

We need to thank and praise God for how He has supplied the needs of heaters, boots and some of the clothes. It is truly amazing to see God in action. He is a good God.

Women's boots have been bought!!

At the Thanksgiving Eve service at church a person handed us $300 to be used for the boots!!! They also gave us $100 to be used for food.

Today, Chris and I took advantage of the Black Friday sales and got great deals on all the boots that were asked for. We went to two stores and, can you believe it, we got fantastic parking spots each time.

I will be taking the boots to the Shelter tomorrow. God accomplished yet another job through His people at our church. He is so awesome.

Woman's boots are needed

At the Center, there is a very long list with the names of everyone who needs boots. There must be about 40 people on this list. Fortunately, a donation has been made by another church and it will be used to purchase a large percentage of the boots.
I hope you noticed that the donation will cover a large percentage of the need. This is where we get involved. Of the percentage that won't be covered by this donation, there are 7 women who need boots and we are responsible for supplying these boots. They need waterproof, insulated, lug soled boots for the winter. Here is who needs the boots along with the size (women's size).
Anne 7 wide
Linda 7
Viona 7
Stacy 8.5
Holly 10
Denise 9.5

That is only 6, I know we can do this. If you want to purchase a pair of boots, please let me know so I can make sure we don't double up on any of these needs. Please send me an email at dennis@bethanylanebaptist.org or call me at 410-465-0150x11.

We need food!!

On Sunday the 23rd, the youth will be handing out cards that each represent a food item we need in the pantry. We are getting very low here at our church and the pantry at the Day Center is not in good shape as well. I know there will be a lot of shopping going on for Thanksgiving, please help this ministry by taking a card or two, purchasing the item and returning it the next time you are at church.

Update on Center Needs -- Nov 7th

For clothes we need
1. Hoodies, hoodies and more hoodies of all sizes
2. jeans, t-shirts, jeans, socks
3. heavy winter coats that are waterproof

Clothes we don't need
1. sweaters, they don't like the because they take so long to dry
2. we have been getting summer and business clothes, we really don't need this stuff

Food
We handed out a ton of cards a few weeks ago. If you took one, please purchase the item and get it to us. The pantry at the Center is really low
The youth will be handing out new cards in a few weeks

Tents, sleeping bags and blankets

Tent heaters - rumor has it you can buy these at Walmart for about $50. We estimate we will need about 40 total!! A list has been started at the Center. See my previous post for details on this

Prayer - We have ministered to about 150 different people since July!! Pray for the homeless, the volunteers and for Anne and Joe as they lead this incredible minsitry!!