The first week of school for the Beaverton School District got off to a quick (maybe slow if you consider the returned early morning school bus infused traffic) start. Within two days of opening I had multiple schools contacting me wanting to know if they would still be able to receive support via the back pack program.
It’s official. As of Tuesday, summer is over. Kids are back in school (some for a week already) and, as a result, the morning commute will be noticeably worse. For the Outreach Ministry, this means we will soon be restarting the weekend food Backpack Program. Late last school year, I met with several new schools to ask how we might be able to help ensure their kids receive the food they and their families need. I anticipate we will add one or two of them to our list of supported schools from last year.
I have written many times about one of the organizations we work with in the community: Women’s Life Change Center. Part of the Union Gospel Mission and located on 103rd and Walker Road, it is a live-in facility that treats 20-25 women at a time along with their children.
Every few months I get into a conversation that will include a statement like “all they need to do it get a job to improve their situation”. It is true that, for some, relying on a handout seems to be the answer. My personal experience is that those that do take this approach constitute a very small percentage of all those who need help.
Faith Café is a ministry that Holy Trinity has been involved with for many, many years. It is a unique ministry in that multiple churches of different faiths work together to provide a hot meal once each week. The meal is served every Sunday at 5:00pm at Bethel Congregational Church, which is located near the Beaverton City Library.
Hundreds of people are served by the Food Closet each week with food and other assistance. Hundreds more have been helped through other aspects of the Outreach Ministry. The interaction with many is limited, sometimes to just a single event. They get the help they need and while grateful, they move on.