Sharing HOPE... you can too This past week The HOPE Chest gave over 1500 loaves of bread and buns, 100 dozen locally baked donuts, bags of groceries to feed 288 people and meal packs to feed 10 homeless residents. We appreciate our partners who helped us meet all of these needs. Thank you, Midwest Food Bank, Deal's, Sara Lee and Classic Donuts. And thank you, dear friends, for donating food to our pantry. We appreciate you!
The HOPE Chest Seeds of HOPE program blessed (at no charge) many families with beds, dressers, kitchen tables, chairs and couches. Our staff was honored to help a family who had no refrigerator. They not only needed the appliance to store their family's food, but medical supplies for a very serious medical condition. We were thankful to have been donated a refrigerator, and were able to give it to someone who was very much in need. Thank you to all our friends who have graciously donated furniture and appliances to our store this week. In the last 6 days, over a dozen people were sent to The HOPE Chest from other agencies in Pekin. They were sent to us in need of assistance for rent, utilities, shelter and transportation costs. But we were unable to help these destitute guests. The HOPE Chest does our best with the funds our sales provide. But we normally do not receive funds from churches or any other organizations. We also do not receive any government funding. Therefore, our Outreach is limited to donations of food, clothing and household items. It breaks our heart to have to send anyone away, and we do our best to find help for everyone who truly has a need. As the weather gets colder and more people struggle to keep warm and stay dry, I expect many guests to come to The HOPE Chest seeking assistance for these more difficult needs. Please continue to support the HOPE Chest, so we can continue to provide assistance to the poor in our community. Lynne Johnson - Outreach Director, The HOPE Chest
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The Lord reminds us in His word that our hope is in Christ. Last week a young couple came in to the store with a multitude of needs. They are homeless. Their tent, clothes and food had been stolen. The pregnant young woman was tired and her feet were in pain from walking miles in ill-fitting shoes. The HOPE Chest went into Outreach mode and began assisting them in the small ways that we are able. We gave them clothing and fitted them with shoes that were practical and sturdy. The HOPE Cupboard provided them with homeless meal packs of nonperishable food that will sustain them for several days. From our pantry, the couple were also given bottles of water and Gaterade to keep them hydrated. We provided them with toiletries, blankets, and backpacks. The HOPE Chest was not able to give them financial assistance to give them transportation or shelter. So we called our resources to find help for them. We instructed the couple on where to find a hot meal every day in Pekin. And we offered them hope. Hope in the future; knowing that there is a God who cares for them and uses many tools (such as the HOPE Chest) to help them get through these hard times. Our HOPE is in Christ. And as we share what we have with others. We are sharing that hope - in Christ. ~ Lynne Johnson, HOPE Chest Outreach Director  This is a photo of our Homeless Food Packs. The Pack contains foods that do not need refrigeration or heating. Also any cans that are included are the pop-open kind so no can opener is needed. Things we often take for granted. Please consider making a donation in food goods or a financial donation to help us help others. Thank you and God bless! |
AuthorsDave Craig, Executive Director, Alice Craig, Office Manager, Sue Kerr, Director of Marketing, Rhonda Greene, Hope Cupboard and the rest of our great staff and volunteers here at The HOPE Chest Archives
July 2017
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