Bridge and Beyond serves people here in Central Ohio, primarily Franklin County; but the problem of cold, hungry homeless people in need is one that reaches every state.  Perhaps it's less cold in some areas, perhaps it's easier to live on the street in more temperate climates; but still it's an issue.

Our voices need to be heard.

Saw this on Facebook and wanted to share.  Perhaps we have a duty folks to write letters, sign petitions, make phone calls to let our voices be heard that arresting kind caring people, like this 90 year old man and minsters who are in fact doing good is WRONG! Breaking the law because you're feeding hungry people in need means the law needs to be changed.   Is this going on in your city?  Let your voices be heard, talk about these injustices.

Rae's Ministry of Feeding those in Need

(purple iris from my back yard, with pretty little yellow buttercups on the right and blue forget me knots in the background)

As many of you know if you've been following along, several months ago Rae branched out to a different area of town to extend the ministry of feeding to those folks in need.  The original group is still going strong on The West Side of Columbus with both supplies and able volunteers.  Rae canvassed and found great need elsewhere and put a plan in motion encompassing multiple locations on Columbus's North, and North East Sides, some involving families.

We asked for support to help her get started, and as always you all responded with HUGE hearts and sent donations of plastic bags, plastic containers, grocery bags and similar items to help her in the meal prep.

At this time we do not need anymore plastic garbage bags, or plastic grocery bags, or plastic containers.  We may sing out later with more need; but with limited storage at her end...let's hold and not mail anymore of those items.  She's also well stocked on plastic poncho's and most personal care items for women.   She's nicely stocked also with soap and cotton knitted and crocheted washcloths (though we can always use those items for the 3 family shelters).

• What she is in need to stock her storage area at Everyday People Ministry Church (corner of 161 and North Meadows Blvd) is:

• Zip lock bags, sandwich size

• Forks and spoons (much less need for knives)

• Socks always for Women now as well as Men

• Sample sized shampoo

• Disposable razors

She picks up bread and sweets from a local Panera (on North High Street just north of Henderson), and soon to be expired food from Whole Foods (the donations from Whole Foods are divided between the West and North Ministry).

Currently she is feeding about 17-19 people on Saturday mornings after she preps meals at The Everyday people Ministry.  Several church members from that location have joined her volunteer force.

One of the things a bit different with this North Side Ministry as compared to her long standing West Side Ministry is feeding families vs primarily adults.  There are Mothers who are homeless but have enough to get a night in a hotel with their children (Thank the Lord they aren't living out in the elements); but not enough for food and lodging and so Rae has been able to include them in her Saturday Morning Meals.

Thank you all for your help with supplies and prayers for her new ministry.  I know she truly appreciates both.

The Beautiful flowers above are for you all for all the hard and necessary work you do.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

So Many Opportunities

Several weeks ago I attended a Sausage Party. This is an annual event that takes place in my neighborhood, just down the street. The gentlemen who's been hosting this event has done so for 18 years. His purpose is to make sausage, to continue a tradition from a Hungarian Gentlemen who taught him the craft. His purpose was to make sure his kids knew, and now his grandchildren know that preparing food is hard work, and fun, takes skill and dedication and to appreciate what people before us did. Remember, buying food packaged from the grocery store is all most younger than us know about.

However, he has yet another purpose. He gathers friends, neighbors, relatives, and co-workers for this ever growing event. Typically there are several hundred in attendance. Men cut and begin prepping the meat on Thursday. Friday people begin making their way in from out of town. And soon it's a party with a purpose. Several tables of meat cutting continue in the garage where the meat grinder is set up. Jack, our host always dumps in the secret ingredients. The sausage is packed in the kitchen with several stuffers going hour after hour. Everyone gets in the act, from the wee little ones, to the grandparents. Food and drink abound and a ceramic pig for donations is available in the kitchen, and the garage. All the monies donated go to Holy Family, a local church/soup kitchen that feeds on average 700 homeless a day. Holy Family has been in existence since 1970. In addition to the hot meals prepared daily for the homeless a food bank helps families in need.

People can collect a sampling of each of the 6 or 7 types of sausages made in any given year from Italian to Hungarian, to Andouille, Chorizo, and others (after it's been smoked in the smoke house in Jack's backyard). In addition to the monies collected (this year a bit over $400.00), sausage is also donated to Holy Family.

So here I am at the party, chatting with people I've met in other years, and meeting new folks; when I asked whether clothing was provided, or needed to those that are fed at Holy Family. I was speaking to a lady who volunteers in the soup kitchen several times a week. She was thrilled that someone asked, and talked about how cold some of these folks were. I had 50 hats bagged. Told her I had 50 hats geared towards school age and teenage kids. She was beyond thrilled. So, folks we reached out again....the beyond part of our mission. Now as Holy Family feeds those that come in off the street, and or from the various homeless shelters; they'll be able to give cold children and teens a hat to help warm them up.  The lady I met is Lynn.

Thank you all for providing enough caring with your donations, that we're able to continue to help so many in need. It was a good night, and I was happy we were able to respond to the opportunity to help.

I should also add how good our neighborhood smells while all this sausage is being smoked. That process takes about a week or two.

2010
Scarves 306
Hats 574
Mittens 143
Socks 80
Slippers 15
Ghans 7
Squares 133

Please remember all donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!

What can I Do? I'm just one person!!!

There are many things wrong, or sad in the world. Do you find you often ask yourself, but what can I do? I'm just one person? Do you often think, someone should do something. "They", they should do something. Whoever "They" is.

One person can do something. One person can make a difference. It happens everyday, in my city and in yours. It happens when you're not looking. Maybe no camera is there to record it, no news media spreading the news; but it does indeed happen.

Each of you who've knitted or crocheted a hat, a pair of mittens, a pair of slippers, or a scarf have done something. You've done something wonderful. You've helped! AND together lots of us in one's and two's can make a big difference.

The Hats, Mittens, Scarves, Slippers etc. hand knit or crocheted are distributed along with a hot meal to those men and women living outdoors in the elements. These are a few pictures recently taken. Sorry they are very small and hard to see; but I believe still show you the conditions some are forced to live with. PLEASE, think about how you can help.

Can you can knit, or crochet and make something to donate?
Can you can blog about this to spread the word?
Can you can place our badge on your blog or website to spread the news?
Can you can tell your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your co-workers about it? Does someone in your circle knit, crochet, have yarn they no longer use, blog, have a websiteCan you donate socks? Which are always a needed item...nothing worse than cold wet feet.
Can you can collect little soaps, lotions, shampoo etc? Start saving all those samples at hotels when you travel (either for business or pleasure). We donate personal care items too.
Can you put out a box to collect things at work?
Can you place a notice in your school's newsletter, your church's bulletin?
Do you have an old, no longer being used backpack you could fill with warm clothing, or instant food?
Can you print and distribute our flyer at your PTO/PTA, play group, church group, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, work bulletin board etc.?

I know everyone can answer yes to at least one of those things listed above. So, PLEASE can we count on your help; more importantly can they count on your help?

The above pictures were taken awhile ago, see a handful of people in the church kitchen preparing meals, only a few...can and do make a difference. A close up of chicken and noodles, and smiles on faces who've been warmed by clothes, food, and the caring hearts of others.
Our donations have helped the following:
Men and Women living under bridges
Mothers and Children being treated in 2 free clinics
Women in temporary housing at Faith Mission (some were homeless, some were abused)
Men given a couple of nights in homeless shelters through Faith Mission
Families in need of a hot meal through Holy Family
Cold school children in need (some who make it to school from homeless shelters) at Stiles Elementary and Darby Dale Elementary Schools
Homeless CHILDREN with their families living in temporary housing through The Homeless Families Foundation
Cold children in need, many of whom are homeless at West Broad Street Elementary School and Highland Elementary Schools.
Homeless Children with their families living in temporary housing through The YWCA