Hello FBCW family,

     I hope you all are doing well during these months of uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic. The HOPE ministry team feels like it's living in the “Twilight Zone.” There is a small staff in place who has been working since this started in March. Our team continues to help with homeless crises and prevention of homelessness for families in need, and our food pantry program is serving in the parking lot as a drive-through system. Our system is running smoothly, however our numbers of serving have been much lower than normal. We are working behind the scenes to create plans and provisions in case there is a greater need when the increased amounts of “unemployment incomes” is discontinued since most of the fragile households we serve have made a higher income than normal with the assistance of the CARES act.

      The HOPE team plans to continue our annual Thanksgiving meals at no cost to those in need in the community. Over 100 struggling families will have a homemade Thanksgiving meal thanks to the volunteers from FBCW and the No Hunger Holiday program. On Tuesday evening, November 24^th, FBCW will hand out uncooked packaged dinners that includes a frozen turkey and all the side items for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

      The outreach event is more than just addressing hunger in the community; volunteers say they hope to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to those in need. The church feels called to feed the hungry and to pray for everyone who comes to get the free items. This event reminds families that God has been good to them and blessed them, which allows them to be a blessing to someone else.

     WINTER will be here before we know it and the Emergency Weather Program will change this year due to COVID-19.  Please consider volunteering at a local hotel 7pm-9m to meet guests, pass on a bag of food, and give a rest to homeless folks on extremely cold nights. 

      If you would like to volunteer your time, please contact Kathy Thompson at  636-332-5127 ext.222

     Community homeless hotline #211 and Winter hotline number #636-395-0492

There are many different opportunities to serve the Lord in our community this season. FBCW has several Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions where we reach out to those who are in need of more than just food and clothing, but for the love of a Savior as well.  If you are like many people who feel blessed and are looking to “give back” in practical ways, you will want to sign up and take part in one of our Thanksgiving events, Christmas store or Warming Center.

Saturday, November 23rd, FBCW will open up its doors for the Annual HOPE Thanksgiving Dinner. This is the 13th year the church has provided free Thanksgiving meals to the community. Over 100 struggling families will have a homemade Thanksgiving meal to sit down to together, thanks to the volunteers from FBCW and the No Hunger Holiday program. HOPE Pantry volunteers and Student ministries offer hospitality to the clients from the Pantry by serving them dinner and waiting on them throughout the evening.

On Tuesday evening, November 26th, FBCW will hand out uncooked packaged dinners that includes a frozen turkey and all the side items for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.  Clients will move from one station to the next collecting items needed to prepare their own Thanksgiving Dinner at home with their family, while also hearing about and witnessing the love of our Savior through His servants who work this event.

The Annual Christmas Store will be held in December. Please consider donating unwrapped, new, toy items or $10.00 gift cards for teens. This fun program allows children in need to receive gifts while having the opportunity to walk with a shopper to share the real “Reason for The Season”.

These outreach events serve more than just addressing hunger in the community; volunteers say that they hope to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to those in need. The church feels called to feed the hungry, and pray for everyone who comes to get the free items.

These events remind those who volunteer, that as a community, they are all one. It’s always important to remember that God has been good to them and blessed them which allows them to be a blessing to someone else.

WINTER is almost here…Please consider volunteering 8:30pm-7:30am for our community EMERGENCY WARMING CENTER to give a rest to homeless folks on extremely cold nights.

Contact Kathy Thompson at 636-332-5127 ext.222 or the Community homeless hotline number #636-395-0492 for information on the Warming Center.