“Jehovah Helps”

When David and I turned onto Cypress Street it was empty. The tent city that had sprung up in the green area behind the shelter was gone and a tall chain link fence had been installed to insure that it didn’t return. The shelter had let people in early because of the heat but the people we were looking for, those who won’t or can’t stay at the shelter, were nowhere to be found.  They usually line the sidewalks the entire length of Cypress, but not today. We had a car full of ice water and fans so we decided to drive around a little bit and see if we could find people to give them to. That is how we found Josiah. We had just run out of fans when a woman walked up to me and asked for a fan “for the baby”. I gave her bottles of water and asked to see the baby. She led me to the side of a building where a man sat pushing a stroller back and forth. I peered into the stroller and saw a baby crying and screaming but making no sound at all.  I went back to the last group of men whom we’d given fans to and asked one of them for his fan for the baby. Without hesitation, he handed it to me and I gave it to Josiah’s dad. He began misting the baby. Josiah’s face broke into a smile and my heart broke.

THAT, my friends, is why we continue to pester you for fans; (especially misting fans) all summer long.

Josiah is eleven months old.  His name in Hebrew means “Jehovah helps”.  Won’t you?

Peace,

Kathleen Dare

The Heat Is On!!!!

During the months of July and August we are asking for donations of hand-held fans and batteries for PNS guests and for the people who are now living outside of the facility.  Imagine what it would be like if you had to spend all day (and in some cases, all NIGHT) outside in this heat with no relief.  a hand-held fan is a little thing but you would not believe how appreciated it is.  Misting fans are especially coveted.

The fans may be purchased at Academy in the camping gear department and usually at Wal-Mart and Dollar Tree.  If you would really like to make someone's day, pick a couple up and put them in the designated box in the Fellowship Hall.  We will see that they are personally given to the people who need them most.  God bless you for your help.

Tennis shoes and socks are collected on an on-going basis and are always needed.

Thank you for your continued and generous support of this ministry. 

If you would like more information about this project or any of our other Mission outreaches, please contact Dave or Kathleen Dare or speak to any Mission team member. The Mission team meets on the third Sunday of each month in the Fellowship building immediately following worship. Everyone is welcome. 

Note: At this time, the Presbyterian Night Shelter is unable to accept clothing donations except for the items on their needs list. However, Twice Blessed, located at 424 Bedford Euless Road, is happy to accept clean, gently used clothing. Your donation will support N.E.E.D., helping to feed the hungry in our community.

NEED

North East Emergency Distribution

http://www.need-tarrant.com/

 Have you seen the new face of N.E.E.D.?  Catch it on Facebook.  Just go to Facebook and type in N.E.E.D. Designed by Heidi Newell, this is just one of the many new PR/Marketing tools that Pam Harbaugh and Linda Akins have developed for N.E.E.D.  Linda continues to publish the N.E.E.D. newsletter but between issues, for example, if you would like to know what food items we are currently in need of, just check the Facebook page for an update on that and so much more.

http://www.facebook.com

North East Emergency Distribution

(N.E.E.D.)

October 11, 2010

Dear Pastor,

As a long time friend of North East Emergency Distribution (N.E.E.D.), you have no doubt learned of the many heartwarming stories shared by our clients who have received the emergency assistance they needed.  Whether it was help with rent  for a family on the verge of homelessness following a lost job, assisting with utility bills, or providing food and clothing, N.E.E.D. stands ready to share the “love” that this community provides with those less fortunate.  However, every day more and more people walk through our doors with their stories of lost jobs, homelessness, hunger or illness. 

In the face of reduced contributions, due to the poor economy, and an increase in the demand for our goods and services N.E.E.D. has been challenged.  We have been diligent in keeping agency expenses to an absolute minimum and have recruited the help of additional volunteers.  In 2009 the financial contributions from our partner churches, Individuals, two primary grants and the time from our volunteers made it possible for N.E.E.D. to distribute $1,482,661.96 in goods and services to approximately 5100 households.  Result provided an average total value of $270 per household.  However, simply maintaining our services has not allowed us to keep pace with the 2010 increasing demand for goods and services.  We are reaching the point where diminished financial support may begin to impact the goods and services that we are able to offer our needy clients. We will continue to do our very best to provide for the needs of the community we serve, but quite honestly we need your additional help.

Our appeal to you is twofold:  (1) Consider increasing the current amount of your contribution) and (2) would your church (or if not already doing so) consider a monthly food drive to support our food pantry.  Donation checks can be made payable to North East Emergency Distribution, Inc., and mailed to

If you feel that you need additional information about the current status of our outreach mission work, please, feel free to check our web-site http://www.need-tarrant.com or contact me at delcasth@aol.com.  Together, and with God’s grace, we can continue to help some of our community’s most needy residences with emergency assistance and provide some stability to their lives.

In his service, 

Henry DelCastillo JR

President

Please remember to bring items for N.E.E.D. on the first Sunday of each month, although items may be brought to the church at anytime. Non-perishable items may be put in the wicker baskets located in either building. Please notify Jim Pharries if you have an perishable items to donate.

Volunteers are needed to work at West location on the 2nd Monday of each month from 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. A sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the fellowship building. The work is not hard and shifts can be split between two people if you can't work the whole day. For more information about N.E.E.D. see Jim Pharries.

Love Never Fails International exists to provide “a hand up, not a hand out” to at-risk and impoverished children and families through assistance, tutoring, and mentoring.

At LNFI, they believe it is through building relationships with children that they are given a “hand up, not a hand out” and their hearts are changed.  Their after school and mentoring programs follow this idea, with the focus being placed on building relationships with these hurting children.  Mentors come work with the children each day in our after school programs, encouraging and loving them.  After children feel secure and emotionally supported through healthy relationships with positive adult mentors, they begin to change.  They begin to exceed expectations socially as well as academically.  Studies show that students who are mentored regularly have better attendance, a better chance of going on to higher education, a better attitude toward school, and are less likely to use drugs, skip school, or hit someone.  They have many inspiring stories of children transforming from secluded, angry students to motivated, positive leaders in their classrooms. 

At LNFI, they also provide as many unique learning opportunities for the children as possible.  When children are exposed to more learning opportunities and life experiences and are taught powerful life lessons through these experiences, they are inspired and empowered to have a brighter future.

Health Equipment Loan Program

682-227-9477

We had our offical ribbon-cutting for the Health Equipment Loan Program Wednesday, June 29th during the Family Fun And Fellowship VBS!!!  The Mission Room door will now be unlocked on Sundays so stop by and see what your mission dollars are doing for our neighborhood, our community and our world!

By the way...We are now part of the 211 Texas program sponsored by United Way! Just click on this website and type health equipment in the search box!

http://www.tarrantcounty211.org

August Update

• We had two clients referred to us by 211!
• We have loaned out a wheelchair and a bathchair to a young women with nerve damage in her left leg.
• We purchased a bath transfer bench.
• We loaned out the bath transfer bench to a woman with a broken ankle.
• We are looking for used wheelchairs in good condition.

Here is a list of the items that we are hoping to provide for those in need:

Bath Chair

Bath Transfer Bench

Blood Pressure Monitors

Cane

Commode--Folding

Crutches

Glucometer

Bed Rails

Over Bed Table

Quad Cane

Reachers

Shoe Horn (Long)

Sock Aid

Toilet Safety Frame

Toilet Seat Riser

Transport Chair

Walker

Wheel Chair

Rollator

Bath Bench

Wheel Chair Ramp

We also need sturdy shelving for the equipment room.

Pam Harbaugh is crocheting beautiful necklaces to raise money for our various mission projects!!! You can purchase one or several for only $7.00 each and all of the money is going to Mission. She is also selling them at N.E.E.D. and donating the sales to their Food Bank. They are great for birthday presents, etc. and Christmas isn’t that far away.

This month we will use the “necklace money” to buy fans and chill ties for PNS clients. Pam’s generosity knows no limits. She truly sets an example of “faith in action”. So stop by the Mission table in the Fellowship Hall and check out her display. Whether you purchase or not...please take time to thank Pam for her generous heart. She is always thinking of ways to help our brothers and sisters in need.

Would you like to make a positive difference in the lives of our military women and men serving throughout the world?

Please visit the anysoldier.com website and then speak to Norma Griffin or any Mission Committee member about taking part in this project. 

Pennies for Peace Update

In April of this year, CNN aired a program about author Greg Mortenson and the Central Asia Institute, the organization that oversees the Pennies for Peace program and the building of schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  The program primarily accused Mr. Mortenson and CAI of erroneous information in his book, Three Cups of Tea and misuse of funds.  In the most recent issue of Journey of Hope, a quarterly magazine published by CAI, Mr. Mortenson addresses the allegations. Since the CNN program was aired, the mission team suspended the Pennies for Peace program until further information was available.  We have stayed abreast of all of the pertinent information available on the CAI website, including copies of all financial records for every year since the inception of the program and, as a team, we are satisfied that this is an important, viable program worthy of our continued support. However, because the organization is still under audit, we will not send any funds until Mr. Mortenson and CAI have been exonerated. We urge you to visit the CAI website and will make copies of the Journey of Hope article available to anyone who wishes to read it.

Here is a link to their website:        Mid-Cities Care Corps