Mission Moments - Snapshots from the Soul
Every person who passes through the doors of City Union Mission has a unique story to tell - every man, every woman, and every child. Some stories are gripping, some are interesting, and some are heartwarming, while others are heartbreaking.
We have captured several stories that may change the way you view homelessness forever. Here is your chance to take a glimpse into the lives of a few of our precious clients, volunteers, and donors. We hope you will take a minute to engross yourself in these powerful testimonies. Please place yourself in their shoes, and join them in their past sorrows as well as their newfound joy.
Jeff
As a professional chef, Jeff enjoyed preparing wonderful meals for large catered events, but he agonized as untouched excess food was thrown away. Jeff hated seeing the food go to waste when he knew so many homeless people in Kansas City were hungry. So he loaded up his vehicle with the extra food and took it downtown to hand out to the homeless.
For five years, Jeff met up with a group of people from area churches to distribute food to the hungry on an inner-city street corner. Each week, he left energized and excited about ministering to those in need.
“We went from feeding 30 people to feeding 125,” he says. As he made friends with the homeless who came for a meal, he began to hear about City Union Mission.
“I decided to find out more about the Mission so I could encourage the homeless people I met to go there. I knew the Mission could do a lot more to help them than I could,” Jeff remembers. After touring our facility, he decided to hand out cards containing the number for the Hotline for the Homeless, a free service provided by City Union Mission that helps homeless people find space in area shelters.
Not long after, Jeff decided to join the Mission’s ministry as a High Impact Volunteer. He became a church ambassador, serving as a liaison between the Mission and his church body. He also volunteered to help in our Men’s Center.
“My services were needed in the store room. There was lots of product coming in and lots going out, and I straightened it out so that the product was being rotated and was fresh, and they could find out when they needed to reorder,” he says.
“With so many people in need, there are so many needs to fill,” says Jeff, owner of Cool Carvings, an ice sculpting business. I saw that the majority of the homeless people were going to the Mission, and saw what wonderful things the Mission did. My heart was overwhelmed, and I wanted to help. “God gave me the talent to cook and experience all facets of the food industry, so I needed to use my training and experience for Him."
God gave you unique gifts, too! You can use them for the Lord, just like Jeff. Discovering and using those talents starts with a relationship with God's Son, Jesus. Click here to find out how to get to know Him! You're life will never be the same.