Thank you again for your support.
We ran out of food this past Sunday and from my understanding, there were a lot of new faces. I truly missed serving along side you as I lay in bed wondering what I was missing. I also want to thank all who helped with the census this past Saturday and to all those who wanted to help but let me know they had a conflict. We had Chandra Broadwater, a reporter with the St Pete Times, join us and here is the link to the article that ran yesterday: http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/29/Hernando/Homeless_hit_in_hard_.shtml
After meeting at the Rising Sun Café we sent out four teams and scoured the county from Masaryktown to Lake Lindsey, Ridge Manor to Weeki Wachee. I was surprised at how many camps we found and how many people there actually are on the streets. Although we serve 100 plus meals each Sunday, only 2 to 3 dozen are homeless indicating that we do not see anywhere close to the majority. What was especially disturbing to me was the large amount of childrens clothing and toys I found at abandoned camps. I haven’t received the reports back, but two of our groups counted over 100! My guess is close to 300 or more slept outside last night without benefit of heat, running water or electricity. How many 100’s more are living the same way, but with a roof over their head? How many are just one or two paychecks away? We got word this weekend of two mass layoffs affecting us in Brooksville with as many as 500 people affected.
Each week we see dozens of new faces, both those that serve and those we serve. We can’t thank you enough for your contribution. Sometimes it seems as if we have too many volunteers and that you might be standing around waiting for something to do. Please don’t be disheartened as your very presence is encouraging to us. Give us a chance to get to know you and see where you can serve. There’s so much more that we hope to do, over and above the dinner. Please take the time to e-mail or call me so I can share the vision as it grows daily.
Here are a few of the ministries that are in the process of being launched.
1) Flea Market. We have experimented with hosting a flea market on the American Legion grounds the past two months. We are excited with the results and ultimately hope to expand from the third Saturday each month to a weekly market. A team is developing to take the lead and we are encouraged by what we see developing. The market helps in a number of ways.
a. With the announcement that Goodwill is closing their Brooksville store and Second Glance closing, those that depend on good second hand values have less to choose from here in Brooksville. Here’s an excerpt from the report I got back from Kit Raymond on this months market: The flea market was a great success. We had enough volunteers, and everyone pitched in and worked well together. God held the rain off (it was pouring in Spring Hill, but dry in Brooksville.) The clean-up crew got everything put away--and about half an hour later, the rain started. Because we had a team that set up on Friday afternoon, we attracted the attentions of passersby and were able to start selling on Friday. We made almost as much money that day as we did on Saturday...but, more important, we got a lot of furniture, clothing, and other items into the hands of people who needed what others had generously donated. Because the customer sets the price at our sales, people do not need to pass up things they need or want because of the price. Most people actually give extra, but every offer is accepted. I am excited about future flea markets (as long as my car keeps running so I can continue to pick up donations!) Someone had donated a wedding dress. A woman bought it for her daughter, as well as a dress for mother of the groom, reception decorations, etc. God provided for her through our flea market at a price she could afford. At the December flea market, as a woman was buying used toys and stuffed animals, she remarked that, because of how we run our sales, her family would now have Christmas presents under the tree. I love seeing families being blessed through our outreach, but it would not be possible without the hard work and generosity of our volunteers. Kit
b. We provide an opportunity for those that need to earn an extra $50 or so by providing a booth and some donated goods for them to sell at the market. We also encourage them to collect goods on their own. The $10 fee is waived for those that have helped serve.
c. We are able to give back to the American Legion who has been such a great partner in our efforts.
d. We offer the opportunity for other agencies to join us and raise funds for their efforts.
e. We are able to raise much needed funds that will allow us to provide more services to those in need.
2) Food Pantry. We have been distributing food when available on Sundays and have assisted with Suncoast Harvest food distribution every third Thursday. We will be applying this week to start our own food pantry. Details are still being worked out.
3) Farm and Farmers Market. Plans are in the works to begin growing fruits and vegetables for our consumption and sale. Two parties have agreed to allow us to use their land and more than a dozen of our volunteers are at work as we speak researching and putting the pieces together to begin planting in March. LYN has an opportunity to host a Farmers Market to be held in front of the court house on Saturday’s in conjunction with the Flea Market. We have indications of interest from a half dozen vendors and will begin actively seeking commitments next week. Call Lisa at 352-428-9275 if you are interested.
4) Partnerships. I signed the agreement last week with New Beginnings of Tampa. We are their presence in Hernando County and they have offered to assist us in every way possible. NBT has a professional grant writer on staff who is now working with Kit to secure funding for LYNCO as well as NBT. NBT feeds 400 plus each Saturday, houses 100 plus men and women in their 3 shelters and is building a shelter for children coming out of the foster care program in Tampa. They are extremely interested in looking at adding much needed beds in Hernando County. We are excited about where God is leading us in this partnership.
a. We are getting to know Jericho Road Ministries and have already referred 2 people to their program and have provided each other’s ministries with food. We will be providing Mary’s House, Jericho’s women’s shelter, with bread and dinners each Sunday when available and have referred one of our guests and volunteers who may become the first to enter their program. We expect to come along side and continue to assist each other as we learn more about each others needs and resources.
b. We have been able to sow into the American Legion and have assisted them with remodeling and maintaining their facility, providing paint, tree trimming and removal and they have hired a few of our guests as well.
c. We have worked with Suncoast Harvest Food Bank, assisting them in their monthly distribution of food. They will be our partner in our Food Bank, supplying us with food at significant discounts.
d. St Vincent De Paul, Salvation Army, Christian Contractors Association, Dawn Center, Men of Faith, DAV, Kiwanis, Hernando High School youth, Girl Scouts, and numerous church groups have all contributed to LYN as we explore ways to assist each other.
There is so much more to share. I’ll close however with one more testimony of how your love has been used to change lives.
Seven months ago a homeless man, K.R., came to our dinner. He sat by himself and resisted efforts to converse with our volunteers. After a month or so, Eric finally broke the ice and started to build a relationship and after a few months he finally opened up to a few more including me. K.R. is a veteran in his 50’s who had 5 heart attacks and a stroke over a short period. He was diagnosed with a fatal heart disease and given only a few months to live. He had filed for SSI disability 3 years ago as he was ordered not to work. His request was denied and he filed again. He also applied for his veteran’s pension. After two years of denials and waiting, he finally ran out of funds having to sell his vehicle and ending up living in the park. When we met him, he had given up hope and was simply living out his life. Then Shirley got involved and started to work with SSI and the VA. We found him a place to stay and he helps us out at the Café. He started to regain hope. Not only is he still alive, he received his Medicaid card yesterday. An hour later, he showed me his first SSI disability check and we went to the bank to open an account. Next week we will talk about finding a permanent place to live as well as what he can do to earn supplemental income. Seven months ago, a man with no hope was won over by your love.
It is truly an honor to serve along side you.
Humbled in His love,
John J Callea
Missionary
Christian Contractors Association
Living Water –
Never Thirst Again – John 4:10-15
352-428-5947
Love Your Neighbor, Inc.
