The 'J' Man!!!

Dear SoupFriends,

Nine years ago 'I' got an idea! In truth, it was God's idea and he was kind enough to pass it on to me. The idea was to start a mobile soup kitchen called the SoupMobile.

By any measure, what's happened at the SoupMobile the last 9 years has been nothing short of phenomenal. From our humble beginnings in 2003 we have come light years. That first year we served 5,000 meals and at the time we thought it was a lot. Now we serve more than 200,000 hot, hearty, and healthy meals each year.

Guess what? Food service is now just the tip of the iceberg. In 2005 we started our CELEBRATE JESUS CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA in which we take 500 homeless men, women, and children off the streets of Dallas and put them up at a fancy hotel for Christmas.

Guess what again? In late 2009 we added another new venture called SOUPMOBILE VILLAGE. A homeless group housing program designed to take a homeless man or woman right off the streets, clean them up, get them a job, and eventually return them as working productive members of the community. It's a 'Hand Up', not a 'Hand Out'. In less than 2 & 1/2 years we now have 6 fully operational group homes in the Village.

Could there be more? You betcha! In 2010 we started our FEED the NEIGHBORHOOD program. Every week we pass out tons of food and dry goods to non-homeless families that live in South Dallas. They may have a roof over their heads, but we know their cupboards are bare.

Wow! For a charity that receives NO Federal, State, or City funding, and has NO deep pocket donor, and is NOT under the umbrellas of any church or other organization we have come a long way. Who gets the credit for this absolutely astounding growth? Drum roll, please!!! Yes, it's....................

Oh yeah, it's that unconventional guy from 2,000 years ago. I call him the 'J' Man. He's totally cool and know's how to get things done. Most of you know him as Jesus, but I fondly call him the 'J' Man.

Yes, the 'J' Man that turned water into wine, walked on the water,preached forgiveness, spoke of a loving God, healed the sick, raised people from the dead, and then himself rose from the dead after 3 days.

Nine years ago 'I' got an idea to start the SoupMobile. But make no mistake about it, this idea was from the 'J' Man. I am deeply humbled that he passed it on to me. Even more humbling, it's been HIM that's made it all happen at the SoupMobile these last 9 years. HE is the driving force behind what we do. Some people think that 'I' as Executive Director lead the SoupMobile. Not by a longshot! The 'J' Man leads and we follow.

Its been 9 fabulous, astounding and amazing years at the SoupMobile with the 'J' Man leading the way. What does the 'J' Man have in store the next 9 years? Hard to say, but maybe stuff like SoupMobile DINER and the SoupMobile THRIFT STORE and so much more! This much I know for sure. The best way 'I' can lead the SoupMobile is by letting the 'J' Man lead me.

May the Lord Bless & Keep You & Yours,

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

Dear SoupFriends,

Do you remember Gomer Pyle from the old Andy Griffith Show? He was the mechanic at Wally’s Filling Station and famous for saying, Surprise, Surprise, Surprise when something amazing happened.

I can now truly say I know how Gomer felt. On January 24, 2012 I got surprised by something I never saw coming. Lon Ricker, the Chairman of our Christmas event and I were meeting with top Hyatt officials to sign the contract for our 8th Annual Celebrate Jesus Christmas Event on December 24—25th, 2012. Much to our surprise the Hyatt informed us that we would not be coming back. They explained that they are doing some remodeling and rooms could not be guaranteed. After 7 straight consecutive years of going to the Hyatt at Christmas, it was over in little more than the blink of an eye.

Was I surprised? Oh yeah, I was. But once the surprise wore off a heavy sadness overtook me. 2,000 years ago there was ‘No Room at the Inn’ for baby Jesus. And now in 2012 because of a little remodeling 500 homeless men, women and children would have ‘No Room at the Inn.’

A few of you may be thinking ‘no big deal’, just pick up the phone and call another hotel and make reservations for Christmas 2012. Unfortunately it’s not as easy as picking up the phone and calling another hotel and making a reservation. After all we are talking about the logistics of housing and dealing with 500 homeless people and more than 2,000 volunteers. Further complicating matters is that it’s not so easy getting a hotel that will allow 500 homeless people inside its doors---at any price!

Will you help? Can you help the SoupMobile find another World Class Hotel in Dallas that will take in 500 homeless this coming Christmas! Christ was turned away 2,000 years ago. Let’s work together to make sure 500 of his precious children are not turned away December 24—25th, 2012. To help, contact the SoupMan in person, by email david@soupmobile.org or by phone 1-800-375-5022.

With Christ leading the way, let’s find a way to get beyond Surprise, Surprise, Surprise and work out a solution for 500 precious homeless men, women and children---the ones Jesus called the ‘least of these’

May the Lord Bless & Keep You All.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings Serves Homeless

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

The SoupMobile's 7th Annual Celebrate Jesus Christmas Extravaganza is now over and in the books. We took 500 homeless men and women right off the streets of Dallas and put them up at the downtown Dallas Hyatt Regency Hotel for Christmas. They all received new clothes, fabulous gifts, lots of love, and we held a huge banquet for them and in their honor. Most important is that when they awoke on Christmas morning it was in a warm safe bed at the Hyatt, NOT in a cardboard box under some bridge.

More than 2,000 volunteers from the community came to the Hyatt and helped us with the event. The world famous Vocal Majority Chorus came (pro-bono) and performed for our homeless guests at the mega-banquet. The Hyatt Regency put on extra staff to make sure our homeless guests got the very best of service. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings came to the banquet in his tuxedo, rolled up his sleeves, and served the top of the line food to our homeless guests.

Here are some of the comments from the event:

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said: "They (the homeless) have given me the best Christmas I could ever have had."

Volunteer Cheron A. said: "OMG, OMG, I cried!!! This will be an event that I will never forget as long as I live."

Volunteer Shana T. said: "It was the most memorable event ever."

Homeless man Richard said: "Thank you SoupMan for caring about me."

Homeless child Morgana said when she got a giant Teddy Bear as a gift: "Thank you Santa."

The SoupMan said: "Our homeless guests didn't just receive great gifts and a wonderful stay at the Hyatt - they also received a huge infusion of love, caring, and compassion."

Yes, our 7th Annual event is over and we've already started planning for the 8th Annual event for December 24--25th, 2012. You won't want to miss it. Meanwhile remember that homeless issues are year-round. Please remember to support your favorite homeless charity throughout the year with both your volunteer time and your financial support.

2,000 years ago Jesus said "Feed MY Sheep.' It was NOT a suggestion. It was a call to action. Please give prayerful consideration to joining with the SoupMan and his fabulous SoupTeam as 'together' we go about our Father's business. More details about partnering with the SoupMobile can be found at www.soupmobile.org.

May the Lord Bless & Keep You All.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan

p.s. Remember, you still have time to make a Tax Deductible Donation to the SoupMobile by Dec. 31st. Won't you please give this prayerful consideration. http://soupmobile.org/donatenow.php

Cowardly Men Abuse Homeless Woman

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I bring you the following story. It's a story about a homeless woman who goes by the street name 'Susie.' She was recently abused and degraded in a horrific incident at a local Dallas barbershop. Cowardly men shaved her head and eyebrows and tormented her.

The incident was captured on video and has gone viral on the Internet. This homeless woman was made sport of by the men in the barber shop. They treated her with the utmost disrespect and were cruel in both their actions and comments that were heard on the video.

The SoupMobile has had search teams looking for Susie for the past several days. We also have an 'investigator' who has extensive experience finding homeless people out searching for Susie. Our goal is to find her and bring her in from the cold.

Susie's story may be the tip of the iceberg. Over the past several years, stories and videos of gangs of thugs assaulting homeless people have become only too common. It's a hard, dirty, and difficult life if you are homeless. It's even worse if you have to fear for your safety every day. If you are a homeless man, life is extremely difficult, but if you are a homeless woman, life is almost impossible.

I shouldn't have to say this, but it's NOT okay to abuse homeless people either verbally or physically. They are not sub-human and they are not deserving of abuse. The vast majority of the homeless are good decent people. Yes, they are down on their luck, but decent people. These are real live human beings with feelings, hopes, dreams, and a desire to get out of homelessness.

The men in the barbershop that abused Susie are NOT men. They are cowards. Real men do not abuse women---homeless or otherwise. Real men do not make sport of abusing women. Real men do not degrade any homeless person. Yes, the men in the video are cowards.

So what can we do about this problem? Frankly there are no easy answers. As horrific as the Susie story is, we were lucky it was captured on video. We have a chance to find Susie and help her. We may also be able to bring the perpetrators to justice. Unfortunately, there is much abuse of the homeless that goes unreported. You can help by reporting any suspected abuse of the homeless to the authorities.

There is another way you can help. Christmas is just around the corner. Let this Christmas season be a time that you reach out in love and kindness to a homeless person. Maybe you volunteer at a charity that works with homeless people. Maybe you make a donation to a homeless cause. Maybe you pray for the homeless. Whatever you do, please know that homeless people need our help. I pray for a day when Susie stories will be a thing of the past. Let's all do our part to help make that prayer become a reality.

p.s. This video from Channel 11 is about the Susie story. Fair warning that some of the incidents in the video may make it difficult to watch.



May the Lord Bless & Keep You All.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan

WINTER WONDERLAND!!!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

In 1934, songwriter Felix Bernard wrote one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. It was titled ‘Winter Wonderland’ and in the decades since, more than 150 different artists have recorded the song. It’s a song of fun, laughter, joy, and a celebration of winter.

And for some of us winter is indeed a time of merriment and good cheer. And why shouldn't it be? We live in nice homes or apartments, drive decent cars, have family and friends, and even if it gets a little cold outside we have the luxury of heat in our homes, cars, and offices. Ah yes, for most of us it’s truly a Winter Wonderland. But there's the rub----'For most of us'.

It seems a few people have fallen through the cracks. Actually, more than a few! In the Dallas area there are more than 10,000 homeless people. The lucky ones get to stay in shelters. However, there are thousands that are not so lucky. They spend their days on the streets and their nights sleeping in cardboard boxes, behind dumpsters, in abandoned buildings, and in the woods. For them it’s not a Winter Wonderland. It’s really more of a Winter Nightmare.

Oh you might be thinking that's too strong a statement---Winter Nightmare! But let’s look at it from the perspective of a homeless person. It’s the first week of December in Dallas and temperatures are hovering close to freezing. Making matters worse is that it’s been raining. Cold weather plus freezing rain is not just a little uncomfortable for a homeless person---it’s life threatening. Just imagine that tonight you go outside and stand in your backyard and get soaked in the freezing rain. Then imagine crawling in a cardboard box and trying to get dry and warm. Then imagine waking up in the freezing dawn with stiff limbs and damp clothes and no prospects for it getting any better. Then imagine doing it all winter.

Winter Wonderland for the homeless? I don't think so. Christmas is fast approaching. And while our nation has gone thru some tough economic times the last couple of years, most of us are doing okay. Maybe not great for everyone, but for most we are doing okay. What are your plans for Christmas? Are you giving or receiving? If you are going to be experiencing a fun Winter Wonderland, might you consider helping others?

In a Christmas event called CELEBRATE JESUS, the SoupMobile is taking 500 homeless right off the streets this Christmas and putting them up at the downtown Dallas Hyatt Regency Hotel. They will all get new clothes, fabulous gifts, lots of love, and we will throw a huge banquet for them and in their honor. Most important is that when the wake up on Christmas morning it will be in a warm safe bed at the Hyatt---NOT in a cardboard box under a bridge. Would you like a piece of this action??? Maybe you would like to volunteer with us at the Hyatt? Maybe you can't volunteer but would like to donate for the event? Can you do something to help? Most people can. It doesn't have to be a Million Dollars---but it could be. Maybe its $5. Only you know best how much of your Winter Wonderland you can share.

By the way, we practice what we preach. My wife Shana, a.k.a. The SoupGirl, and I make a pact every Christmas. We do NOT buy each other gifts. We take the money we would have spent and donate for the homeless at Christmas. We don't have a million to share but it’s more than $5. We are sharing of our Winter Wonderland. Won't you give prayerful consideration to doing the same? For more details on how you can volunteer or help financially, go to www.soupmobile.org and click on CELEBRATE JESUS.

May the Lord Bless & Keep You All.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan

Bah Humbug!!!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

In 1843 Charles Dickens wrote a novel titled: A Christmas Carol. It features Ebenezer Scrooge, a cold hearted, tight fisted and greedy man who despises Christmas. Scrooges's catchphrase was 'Bah Humbug', which he used to express his disgust for Christmas.

Fast forward 168 years to 2011 and it's almost time for Christmas. However it seems that for many this holiday has turned into something even worse than 'Bah Humbug.' It's become so commercialized that many stores will be putting on Christmas sales in November. For many the holiday is all about what they are getting. Even worse Christmas has fallen into the politically correct category. Merry Christmas has become 'Happy Holidays' for fear we will offend someone.

To all of this modern day stuff the SoupMan says 'Bah Humbug.'

Bah Humbug to the commercialization of Christmas and Bah Humbug to 'Happy Holidays.'

For me Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Baby Jesus 2,000 years ago. More than that its about honoring his wishes. In the Bible Jesus talked about loving your fellowman. He did NOT talk about getting great gifts or being politically correct.

At the SoupMobile Christmas is all about giving a MERRY CHRISTMAS to 500 homeless men and women. (Yep, I said Merry Christmas). Don't get me started on that Happy Holidays stuff.

On December 24--25th the SoupMobile will be celebrating the birth of Jesus with its:

7th Annual Celebrate Jesus Christmas Extravaganza

In honor of Jesus and celebrating his birth 2,000 years ago the SoupMobile will be taking 500 homeless men and women right off the streets and put them up at the downtown Dallas Hyatt Regency Hotel for Christmas. They will all receive new clothes, fabulous gifts, lots of love and we hold a huge banquet for them and in their honor. Most important is that when they wake up on Christmas morning it’s in a warm safe bed at the Hyatt---NOT in a cardboard box under some bridge.

In Charles Dickens 1843 novel, Scrooge repents at the end, changes his ways and becomes a model of generosity and kindness. So what's Christmas going to look like for you this year? Are you getting or giving? If you are leaning towards the giving side, I might have just the thing for you. How about you come and volunteer with the SoupMan & his fabulous SoupTeam at the Hyatt Regency this December 24--25th as together we make 'Room at the Inn' for 500 homeless men and women and give them the most MERRY CHRISTMAS of their lives.

And guess what? As you give these 500 homeless men and women a MERRY CHRISTMAS you will experience the most MERRY CHRISTMAS of your own life. When you see the tears in their eyes and the smiles on their faces, your heart will be touched in ways it has never been before. Click on this link for more details - SoupMobile.org

May the Lord Bless & Keep You All.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan

LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING!!!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

Every month I write a Blog on issues relating to the SoupMobile, Homelessness and helping the less fortunate in our community. This month I'm going to break out of that mold and write about something totally different.

On October 18th I will be celebrating my 3rd Wedding Anniversary with my amazing wife Shana. It's been three terrific, fantastic, glorious, blissful, dazzling, marvelous, splendid, off the chain, wondrous and groovy years.


Some say I lucked out when Shana showed up on the SoupMobile's doorstep many years ago. Those who say that would be absolutely right. I lucked out big time. More accurately God blessed me big time! Shana is a bouncing ball of love and kindness. She wears her heart on her sleeve and loves both people and animals. She volunteers at the SoupMobile helping the homeless and is also active in animal rescues. I often joke that her passion for helping others makes me look like a slacker but I think it's absolutely true!

When Shana agreed to marry me and said 'I Do' I felt like the most blessed man on the planet. And with our 3rd Wedding Anniversary coming up, I still feel the same way.

So how does Shana feel about me? Hmm, well you will have to ask her yourself but I'm thinking I must be doing okay because she hasn't sent me back yet under the Free Look Provision in our marriage contract. Oh yeah, I've been on Triple Secret Probation right from the get go! However, for whatever reason she seems to love me. She even says she 'digs' me!

A more realistic view may come from a quote by Judith Viorst in Redbook Magazine in 1975. She said,

"INFATUATION is when she thinks he's as sexy as Robert Redford, as smart as Henry Kissinger, as noble as Ralph Nader, as funny as Woody Allen, and as athletic as Jimmy Connors.

LOVE is when she realizes that you are as sexy as Woody Allen, as smart as Jimmy Connors, as funny as Ralph Nader, as athletic as Henry Kissinger and nothing like Robert Redford---but she will still take you anyway!"

I'm not sure which side of the fence Shana falls on---INFATUATION or LOVE---but I'm not going to quibble. I'm pretty sure I come off Triple Secret Probation on this upcoming 3rd Anniversary. From then on it's all gravy as I graduate to Double Secret Probation!!!

I'm sure there is a better wife out there than Shana---JUST NOT ON THIS PLANET!!!

May the Lord Bless & Keep You All.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan