The SoupMan, Executive Director of the Year???

Hello, my name is Lon Ricker and I’m the Director of Development at the SoupMobile. That’s just a fancy title for saying that I do everything I can to raise the money to support what often seems like outrageous ideas of the SoupMan. It also means that I have passwords to, among other things, his blog site, and today I decided to “take over” and talk about him, the SoupMan (a.k.a., David Timothy).

When I transitioned from stirring spaghetti on Wednesdays to writing grants and other fundraising activities (such as the Celebrate Jesus Christmas event), a few of the other “office workers” quietly lobbied me to “fix” the SoupMan. “He uses too many exclamation points” and “Sometimes he doesn’t use the correct grammar” and “You CAN’T buy personalized license plates for a vehicle you don’t even own yet!” were some of the things that people tried to convince me needed to be fixed. To say the SoupMan is unconventional is a bit of an understatement. (I mean, how many people have the nerve to put a One Million Dollar button on the Donation page of their website? http://soupmobile.org/component/content/article/129)

Face it, David became the Executive Director of the SoupMobile because he STARTED the SoupMobile. Its not because he has a wall full of degrees and credentials. And its not because he had experience running mega-bagillion dollar capital campaigns. And its not even because he climbed the ladder of leadership at other nonprofits. No, its because God put into his heart to feed and shelter the homeless and he’s darn good at it.

You see, when the SoupMan gets an idea of how to help the ones Jesus called the ‘least of these’, he not only throws conventional wisdom aside, but he pretty much ignores it. Don’t get me wrong, he is NOT some loose cannon running around doing crazy things with no thought given. Rather he doesn’t know the word ‘impossible’ and he won’t accept the attitude of “but you’ve never done it before” as reason for not doing it anyway. Like the bumblebee that aerodynamically should not be able to fly, David accomplishes all that he does because “no one told him he can’t fly”.

SoupMobile Village is just one example of people trying to convince David that he should “stick with what he knows best (feeding)” and leave housing the homeless to those with experience. Well, in less than a year we have 3 (THREE!) SoupMobile Village homes up and running and just received notice that funding is on the way for the FOURTH! Ummm, Mr. BumbleBee….ah, never mind you’re already working on SoupMobile Diner.

I can tell you this, I’ve actually had grant requests denied because we don’t follow ALL of the conventions for a “normal” nonprofit agency. It drives me crazy because some of these large foundations look more at “structure” than they do at what we are actually accomplishing. They don’t seem to take notice that nearly 80 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to our mission to “Feed HIS Sheep”. They seem to ignore the fact that for the 7 years that David has been the Executive Director of the SoupMobile, his salary has averaged less than $13,000 per year! (Come to think of it, maybe he’s the Executive Director because no one else WANTS the job.)

Well folks, I’m happy to tell you that has all changed! That’s right; David is not the Executive Director of the SoupMobile because of his credentials. He’s the Executive Director of this growing agency because he is good at it! Because he has a passion for it!!! And BECAUSE of what he has accomplished with his unconventional ways!!!!! (Exclamation points and all!)

And at their 10^th Anniversary Night of Light ceremony, the Center for Nonprofit Management crowned The SoupMan as Executive Director of the Year!!!

And in true SoupMan style, when they made the announcement, and cranked up the Rocky Theme Song, he RAN up to the stage with the enthusiasm and spirit of a man that doesn’t live by conventional wisdom. His ‘style’ of shaping and growing the SoupMobile into what it has become today was affirmed on that night. You don’t have to sit behind a big mahogany desk (we occasionally move the mop bucket out of his office if he’s expecting a guest) or follow some “Roberts Rules of Order” to be acknowledged for the work you are doing. David will often say “if you are doing God’s work, He will help you accomplish it”.

Well, I should probably turn the password to his blog back over to him, but I thought you should know that this unconventional, even a bit quirky man that we know as the "SoupMan" has finally been recognized and validated by his peers. As for me, I’m just proud to call him Friend.

God bless,

Lon

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS FOR JESUS

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

Well, that's another Christmas in the books. Or as we like to say at the SoupMobile---Another Christmas for Jesus! How so, you say?

2,000 years ago there was 'No Room at the Inn' for baby Jesus. However in 2010 the SoupMobile made 'Room at the Inn' for hundreds of homeless folks. We just celebrated our 6th Annual CELEBRATE JESUS Christmas event. We took 500 (YES 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 mega banquet in their honor. Most important when they woke up on Christmas morning it was in a warm safe bed at the Hyatt---not in a cardboard box under some bridge.

Once again the special guest server at this years event was Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. He was joined by over 1,500 volunteers who came to the Hyatt to help out with the event. For the 2nd year in a row, Lon Ricker was the Chairman of the Celebrate Jesus Christmas event. He did an amazing job as he coordinated and ran this massive event. Our special thanks to Lon for giving of himself to this wonderful cause.

In reality it all keeps coming back to Jesus. HE said "Feed My Sheep." At the SoupMobile we believe he meant more than just food. He also meant love, caring, compassion and shelter. The SoupMobile does this on a daily basis throughout the year. Celebrating Christmas at the Hyatt with our 500 homeless guests is the grand finale of our efforts every year. My special thanks to all the volunteers that attended the event and to all those that supported the SoupMobile during the year.

Yes, it was another 'Christmas for Jesus.' Now its back to 'every day for Jesus.' The SoupMobile is on the front lines on a year around basis as we wage a war against hunger in the Dallas area. Every day we are spreading the love of Jesus as we go about our mission of 'Feeding' and 'Sheltering' the homeless. The SoupMan would be honored if you would join him in 2011 and work shoulder to shoulder with him as we 'Feed HIS Sheep.' For more details about the SoupMobile go to: www.soupmobile.org

May the Lord Bless Bless & Keep You.

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

Dear SoupFriends,

What's the true meaning of Christmas?

Is it just about Christmas trees, lights, holiday dinner and gifts? Or is it more? For me its all about the birth of Jesus. More specifically its about giving. My wife Shana says it this way, "If you're not giving, you're not living." We know from the Bible that Jesus was all about giving.

So what will you be doing this Christmas? Will you be giving? No I don't mean giving in the 'commercial' sense. I mean giving of yourself to help others in need. I mean reaching out to your fellowman in love. I mean stepping out of your comfort zone to make a real difference in the life of someone less fortunate than yourself.

In just a few days the SoupMobile will be celebrating its 6th Annual SoupMobile Celebrate Jesus Christmas event. We will be taking 500 homeless men and women right off the streets of Dallas and putting them up at the downtown Dallas Hyatt Regency Hotel. They will all receive new clothes, fabulous gifts, lots of love and we will hold a huge banquet in their honor. Most important is that when they wake up on Christmas morning it will be in a warm safe bed at the Hyatt---not in a cardboard box under some bridge.

How would you like to be part of a group of more than 1,500 volunteers who will be coming to the Hyatt this Christmas. How would you like to join us in making it a magical Christmas for 500 homeless men and women. How would you like to experience the most magical Christmas of your own life. A Christmas of giving---not the giving of gifts but the giving of yourself.

Let this be your year---your Christmas to make a real difference in the life of a homeless person. For more details how to volunteer, go to www.soupmobile.org and click on CELEBRATE JESUS.

Merry Christmas and may the Lord bless and keep you.

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

MAYOR WITH A HEART

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

2,000 years ago a child was born in Bethlehem. As this child grew into manhood he did some amazing things. He did miraculous things like turning water into wine. Then he topped that by walking on the water. He went around laying hands on people and healing them. Then he bumped that up a notch & started healing people that he had never seen by simply speaking the Word. Not satisfied with that, he began raising people from the dead. Even that was not enough as he raised himself from the dead. His name---Jesus!

A couple of thousand years later a man was born who would grow up to the Mayor of one of the largest cities in America. His name---Tom Leppert. You might be asking what these two men born 2,000 years apart have in common. The answer is simple---they both have a servant's heart.

At Christmas this year, Mayor Tom Leppert will be attending the banquet at the SoupMobile's 6th Annual Celebrate Jesus Christmas event. Just like we do every year, the SoupMobile will be taking 500 homeless men and women right off the streets of Dallas and putting them up at the downtown Dallas Hyatt Regency Hotel for Christmas. Yes, I said THE Hyatt Regency. All of our homeless guests will receive new clothes, fabulous gifts, lots of love and we will hold a huge banquet in their honor. Most important is that when they wake up on Christmas morning it will be in a warm safe bed at the Hyatt---not in a cardboard box under some bridge.

Please note that Mayor Leppert isn't coming to the banquet to be served. He is coming to serve! He will be coming in his Tuxedo and he will be the chief server at the Homeless Banquet on Friday December 24th from 12:30PM to 2:30PM. He is coming with a servants heart---just like Jesus would do. Yes, I call him the Mayor with a heart---a heart for reaching out to the ones Jesus called the 'least of these.'

How about you? Care to roll up your sleeves and serve shoulder to shoulder with the Mayor this Christmas? Yes come and help us "Feed HIS Sheep." Come and experience the most magical Christmas of your entire life. Come not to be served---but to serve!

For more details about volunteering at the SoupMobile's 6th Annual Celebrate Jesus Christmas event, go to www.soupmobile.org and click on CELEBRATE JESUS.

May the Lord bless and keep you all.

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

IF YOU'RE NOT GIVING, YOU'RE NOT LIVING.

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

My wife Shana often says, "if you're not giving, you're not living." I believe there is a lot of truth in that statement. This Thanksgiving I was privileged to join a group of 25 loving, passionate, committed volunteers who helped prepare and serve more than 500 Thanksgiving Dinners to the homeless in the Dallas area.

When most people think of Thanksgiving they think of what they are thankful for. Many families have a tradition of everyone at the table telling what they are thankful for before they eat their Thanksgiving meal. I think that's nice but I don't really think that's the true spirit of Thanksgiving. We need only to look at the second part of the word Thanksgiving to get a glimpse into what its all about. Yes, the 'giving' part of the word.

I believe the real spirit of Thanksgiving is giving of ourselves to help others. To take it a step further, I believe the real spirit of life is giving of ourselves to help others. I've lived my life both ways. Back in my younger days Thanksgiving was all about me. My wants, my needs, me--me--me! Looking back it wasn't a very satisfying or fulfilling holiday.In fact life itself wasn't very satisfying when it was all about me.

This year I was blessed to work shoulder to shoulder with those 25 volunteers serving Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless in the Dallas area, I felt a total sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. What was the difference? We weren't doing it for ourselves, we were doing it for those in need. And the more we gave the more we got. Each meal given to a homeless person was a gift to ourselves. Our hearts were filled with love, tenderness and joy as we served the ones Jesus called the 'least of these.' We were 'giving' and oh how wonderfully we were 'living.'

I don't know how you spent your Thanksgiving this year but the day is over and won't be back for 12 long months. So if you missed the 'giving' part of the day, I'm going to give you a second chance at the brass ring. A second chance to experience the same love, same tenderness and same joy that will fill your own heart by 'giving.'

That second chance is Christmas 2010. The SoupMobile will be celebrating its 6th Annual Celebrate Jesus Christmas event. We will be 'giving' a magical Christmas to the homeless in the Dallas area. Would you like to be part of a 'giving' Christmas! Would you like to help the less fortunate! Would you like for your own heart to be filled with the joy that can only be received by 'giving.' For more details on how to volunteer at the SoupMobile this Christmas, go to www.soupmobile.org and click on CELEBRATE JESUS.

Remember, if you're not giving, you're not living!

May the Lord bless and keep you all.

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

Room at the Inn

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

Believe it or not, Christmas is just around the corner. I remember as a child that it seemed as if Christmas would never get here. Now as an adult, it seems like Christmas comes faster each year.

If you are homeless, Christmas is nothing special. It’s a day, just like any other day. A day spent trying to find food and shelter. A day without a Christmas tree, no traditional dinner with all the fixings and no warm conversation with your family members by the fireplace. Christmas for a homeless person is typically a day without joy, without love and without hope.

Fortunately there are exceptions to every rule. 2,000 years ago there was no 'Room at the Inn' for baby Jesus. In honor of Jesus and to celebrate his birthday, the SoupMobile makes sure the homeless in Dallas have a magical Christmas every year. This year marks the SoupMobile's 6th Annual Celebrate Jesus Christmas event. We will be taking 500 homeless men and women right off the streets of Dallas and putting them up at the downtown Dallas Hyatt Regency Hotel for Christmas. They will all receive new clothes, fabulous gifts, lots of love and we will hold a huge banquet in their honor. Most important is that when they wake up on Christmas morning, it will be in a warm, safe bed at the Hyatt---not in a cardboard box under some bridge.

Would you like to be a part of this magical Christmas? Would you like to step out in faith and help us touch homeless lives this Christmas in a way that you have never done before? Would you like for your own life to be touched in a powerful way. You can't do anything about baby Jesus getting locked out 'of the inn' 2,000 years ago, but you can do something to make sure 500 of HIS sheep have the most magical Christmas of their lives. This is your chance to go beyond your own 'traditional' Christmas and reach deep into the heart of the homeless world. This is your chance to move out of your own comfort zone and help 500 homeless men and women. This is your chance to make a 'real difference' in this world.

For more details on how to VOLUNTEER at our Celebrate Jesus event or to make a DONATION to support the event, simply go to www.soupmobile.org. This much we can promise you. Volunteering at the SoupMobile's 6th Annual Celebrate Jesus Christmas event will NOT be the best volunteer opportunity of the year for you. What it will be is the best volunteer opportunity of your Life. When you see the tears in the eyes of our homeless guests and the smiles on their faces, you heart will be touched in a way it has never been touched before.

May the Lord Bless & Keep you.

p.s. Looking for that perfect Christmas stocking stuffer? The SoupMan’s 2^nd book, “God is NOT on Vacation!” is now out and available exclusively on Amazon.com. Do you believe in miracles? You just might after reading this book, which time and again points to the glory and majesty of the Lord.

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

On a Mission from God

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

I've been working with the homeless for more than seven years now. I have been privileged to meet and come to know thousands upon thousands of homeless men and women. I have fed them, bandaged their cuts and wounds, become friends with them, laughed with them, cried with them, visited them in jail, sat with them in the large cardboard boxes they call home, watched them fail miserably, and at times watched them succeed beyond anyone's wildest dreams. It's been an amazing journey with no end in sight.

Since the birth of the SoupMobile in 2003 my fabulous SoupTeam has served more than three quarters of a million meals to the homeless right here in the Dallas area. A staggering number to be sure. Those kind of numbers are proof positive of Gods grace and favor on our mission of 'Feeding HIS Sheep.'

As you may know the SoupMobile expanded its feeding operation in 2009 to include sheltering the homeless. We started a venture called SOUPMOBILE VILLAGE. It's a series of group homes located right here in the Dallas area. Each home designed to take a homeless person right off the streets, clean them up, put a roof over their heads and help them become productive members of our community.

Recently we had one of our women graduate from the Village Women's Home. (Let's call her Beth). Beth began her stay in the Women's Home on July 7, 2010. The day she moved in, she told me that if it weren't for the SoupMobile, she would have been sleeping in her car. We took Beth in, fed her, gave her a safe place to stay and most important showed her the love of Jesus.

I'm so very pleased to announce that Beth just moved out of the Women's Home into her own housing. We feel blessed that Beth's stay in the Women's Home gave her the breathing room she needed to get back on her feet. She stayed with us for 60 days---not a lot of time in the real world, but for someone who would have been sleeping in her car---those 60 days were a life saver.

Bottom line: WE are making a difference in the lives of the one Jesus called the 'least of these.' WE aren't just talking about making a difference---we ARE making a difference. And when I say 'WE'---I mean you. Yes, my faithful SoupTeam comprised of staff, supporters, donors, friends, volunteers and prayer warriors. YOU are the true heart and soul of the SoupMobile. YOU are the ones who make it all happen. My grateful thanks to each and every one of you. More important Beth sends her own thanks for helping in her time of need.

Jesus said 'Feed MY Sheep.' At the SoupMobile we believe he meant more than food. We also believe he meant love, caring, compassion and yes---Shelter!!! My thanks to all of you for sharing in my dream of reaching out to the less fortunate in this world. We--together, are truly on a Mission from God.

May the Lord bless & keep you all.

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

Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

Just A Guy!

Dear SoupFriends:

Greetings from the SoupMan!

As the Executive Director of the SoupMobile I see all the donations that come into the SoupMobile. After all we are a charity and we absolutely rely on donations. We do NOT have a deep pocket donor (YET), nor are we under the umbrella of any church or other organization. Since the birth of the SoupMobile seven years ago I have seen donations come in all sizes, shapes and forms. Financially the smallest donation I ever received was 9 cents from a homeless man. On a higher scale we have been blessed with many donations in the hundreds and some in the thousands. Donations have included food, clothes, toys for homeless children and many other items.

This past Saturday we were blessed by a donation that I call a 'behind the scenes' donation. Mike O'Neal--Owner of Offices to Go donated a entire new office setup to the SoupMobile. I'm not talking about a few desks and chairs. I'm talking about a complete transformation of the front office at the SoupMobile. Mike's team came with cubicles, desks, file cabinets and chairs. When they finished they had taken the hodgepodge that was our old office and transformed it into an beautiful, streamlined and very functional workplace.

You might say, 'what's that got to do with feeding the homeless?' The simple answer is: A LOT!!! Even though we are a charity, we are also a business. In fact because we are a charity our paperwork load is more than normal. We need to satisfy a high standard of financial integrity with both the I.R.S. and our donors. To do that takes a smooth running office and to have that you need a workspace that makes that process go efficiently. A smooth running office sets the table (no pun intended) for a smooth running feeding operation. So did Mike's 'behind the scenes' donation feed anyone directly. Nope, it did not. However it did make a huge impact on our office operation which in turn makes all the difference in our feeding operation.

Lets chat a moment about Mike O'Neal. Simply said, he's 'Just a guy.' A guy that about 3 months ago was volunteering at the SoupMobile and noticed how incredibly un functional our front office space was. A 'guy' that asked us (we didn't ask him) if we would like to have our office redone. A 'guy' who would not accept a penny for either the equipment or the labor. A 'guy' who reluctantly agreed to let me publicize his donation. I had to explain to him that by the SoupMobile being able to publicize donations, it often encourages others to give. Mike got that concept, but he's 'Just a guy' who neither wants nor seeks publicity for his good works. By the way, this was not the first time Mike has blessed the SoupMobile, but that's a story for another day.

Over the last seven years we've had our fair share of 'Just a Guy's' and 'Just a Gal's' making their own special gifts to the SoupMobile. People who share in my dream of reaching out to the ones Jesus called the 'least of these.' Yeah, Mike is 'Just a Guy', but one of many 'guys' and 'gals' who are the real heart and soul of the SoupMobile.

In a world where there seems to be too much hate, too much anger and too much greed, I am blessed to see givers who give in the true spirit of Jesus. The give because they can, because they care, and because they have the love of Jesus in them. I have always said that as Executive Director of the SoupMobile I have the best job on the planet. I 'get' to Feed HIS Sheep and I 'get' to be surrounded by 'guys' and 'gals' who have the most amazing kind and giving spirits. For me it just doesn't get any better than that.

May the Lord bless & keep you all.

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

Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

The Cracked Pot

Greetings from the SoupMan!

I'd like to share with you all the Chinese Fable of 'The Cracked Pot.'

A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One pot had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream...

"I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path..

Every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

So what's the SoupMan's take on this fable? Well to me it sounds a lot like Jesus. HE knows we are all flawed in some way---by the way put me at the top of that flawed list. But even though we are flawed HE still loves us unconditionally. Then HE proceeds to find a way to use our flaws for the greater good. Just like the 'Cracked Pot' helping flowers to bloom, the Lord knows just how to best turn our flaws into blessings.

So the next time you look in the mirror and see your own flaws---just smile and be at peace, because God will surely find a way to make the flowers bloom in your own life. God is pretty amazing, don't you think!!!

May the Lord Bless and Keep You.

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

Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

Jesus is on the move!

Greetings from the SoupMan!

Well once again Jesus is on the move! What can that mean you say? Let me explain. When the SoupMobile was founded in 2003 our primary mission was Feeding the Homeless. In that first year we served 5,000 meals. At the time we thought it was a lot. Now we serve more than 200,000 meals per year. In 2009 we decided to expand our mission and start sheltering the homeless through a venture called SOUPMOBILE VILLAGE. The Village would consist of a series of group homes located all over the Dallas area. Each home specifically designed to take a homeless person right off the streets, clean them up, put a roof over their heads, get them a job and help them get back on their feet as productive members of their community.

For a small charity like the SoupMobile housing the homeless was a huge leap of faith. Yes, we had gotten pretty good at Feeding the Homeless but we knew nothing about sheltering the homeless. To make matters even more dicey we really weren't ready financially to start a housing program for the homeless. But no matter because Jesus was on the move! In the Bible Jesus says,

"With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."---Matthew 19:26

So with a lot of prayers and trusting that 'with God all things are possible,' the SoupMobile opened its Men's Home in SoupMobile Village on October 7, 2009. Yes, Jesus was on the move! Then six short months later we opened our Women's Home on April 1, 2010. Once again, Jesus was on the move! I'm pleased to announce that the third home in the Village officially opened on July 9, 2010.

This 3rd home has been designated as a 'Family Home'. The purpose of the Family Home is to take homeless families off the streets, clean them up, put a roof over their heads, get them jobs and help them become productive members of their community.

In nine short months the SoupMobile has opened a Men's Home; a Women's Home; and now a Family Home. An amazing feat for any charity, let alone the baby SoupMobile. So who gets the credit? Well Jesus of course. He said, "Feed MY Sheep," and the SoupMobile is doing just that with food, love, caring, compassion AND shelter. Bottom line---when Jesus gives you a task, he gives you the means to complete that task. He is indeed on the move!

On a personal note I want to thank Roger & Joy Beless and Rick & Linda Graf for making this Family Home a reality. There was no 'Room at the Inn' 2,000 years ago for baby Jesus. With the Lord's guidance and leading we are making sure there is room at the inn for the homeless in the Dallas area. I am grateful to the Beless & Graf families and the entire SoupTeam for your unwavering support of SoupMobile Village. You are the heart and soul of our mission. I am truly privileged to be able to partner with you as we go about our Father's business.

p.s. How about you? Care to be part of the SoupMobile's amazing mission to 'Feed HIS Sheep.' Call or email the SoupMan for more details on how you can join him and his fabulous SoupTeam as we reach out to the ones Jesus called the 'least of these.'

Email the SoupMan at: david@soupmobile.org or call him at 1-800-375-5022.

May the Lord Bless & Keep You.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

Pennies from Heaven!

Greetings from the SoupMan!

Ah, Pennies from Heaven! Sounds like an old movie title. Well in fact it is. It's from 1936 and stars Bing Crosby. Some of you younger folk might not remember Bing, but every year at Christmas you hear one of his most famous songs on the radio---'I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas.'

However it seems I digress. Back to Pennies from Heaven---2010. Did you know that the SoupMobile has been running a Pennies from Heaven campaign for the past two years. What's that all about you ask?

Well the SoupMan got the Pennies from Heaven idea from a 10 year old boy from Michigan named Andrew. A few years ago Andrew decided to raise money to help his school buy equipment. His goal was to collect ONE MILLION PENNIES--which equals $10,000 and donate the money to his school. It took him #14 months to do it, but do it he did. I was truly inspired when I heard this story. I figured if a 10 year old boy could collect One Million Pennies for a good cause, so could you. So I put out the challenge to groups, churches, schools, organizations and individuals to have their own Pennies from Heaven campaign whereby they would collect pennies and donate them to the SoupMobile so we can buy food for the homeless.

So far over 35 groups/individuals have signed up and started collecting pennies. The top penny collector to date is the Dr. John D. Horn High School in Mesquite, Texas. They collected just over ONE HALF MILLLION PENNIES and donated that money to the SoupMobile to be used to feed the homeless.

So now I can hear you thinking, 'Hey, anybody could collect pennies--even I could do it.' Well the SoupMan couldn't agree more. You can do it and it will be for a good cause. Want to know more about joining the SoupMan in collecting pennies which will be used to feed the homeless. Simply go to www.soupmobile.org and click on PENNIES FROM HEAVEN and read all about it.

p.s. If a 10 year old boy can do it, so can you!!!

May the Lord Bless & Keep You.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director--SoupMobile Inc.

Golfing for Jesus!

Greetings from the SoupMan!

Jesus a golfer??? I'm pretty sure that since Jesus walked the earth about 2,000 years ago he probably wasn't a golfer. The game of golf as we know it has only been around for about 100 years. However the SoupMan can't help but wonder if Jesus walked the earth in our modern times just how good a golfer would he be. Could he beat guys like Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus? I'm guessing he could.

More to the point, does Jesus approve of the game of golf? Well there is no way to know for sure because the scriptures never mention the word golf. However the Bible does record many of the words Jesus spoke. Its three of those words that drive me everyday. Three words I think of when I first wake up every morning and three words I think of when I am drifting off to sleep each night. Those #3 words are:

FEED MY SHEEP

At the SoupMobile we think he meant more than just food when he spoke those #3 words. We believe he also meant love, caring, compassion and shelter. In the Bible Jesus does NOT mention golf as a way to Feed HIS Sheep. Is it okay to use golf as a tool to Feed HIS Sheep? Well I sure hope so because the SoupMobile just completed its 1st Annual Golf Outing on Monday June 7th. All proceeds of the outing go towards Feeding & Sheltering the homeless in the Dallas area.

We had golfers from all walks of life play in our tournament. Men, women, students, presidents of major companies, truck drivers, attorneys, singers, good golfers and some not so good golfers. It was a diverse group of people who came and played in the SoupMobile's 1st Annual Golf Outing. Did they have fun? Of course they did. In fact it was mandatory they have fun. After all, if you golf with the SoupMan and don't have fun, its bad for my rep and we just can't be having that.

More important each golfer came with a common goal---Feeding HIS Sheep. My grateful thanks to all the golfers that participated. Thank you for sharing in my dream of helping the ones Jesus called 'the least of these.' Thank you for coming and golfing for Jesus.

So would Jesus approve of a large group of people hitting a little white ball in order to raise funds to Feed HIS Sheep! The SoupMan is thinking YES! Golfing for Jesus! Now that has a nice ring to it.

p.s. Are you feeling left out because you did not play in the SoupMobile's 1st Annual Golf Tournament? Well no worries as you will get a chance in play in our 2nd Annual Golf Tournament next year. And doesn't that sound just like Jesus---always giving us a second chance.

May the Lord Bless & Keep You.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

The Prodigal Daughter Returns!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

Please take a moment and read this story of how God's love and mercy helped redeem one of his own precious daughters---Sandra Davis.

Tuesday--May 25th marked the year end celebration for over 300 Americorps/Vista members in the Dallas/Forth Worth area.

At the Americorps Awards Dinner on Tuesday May 25th, special recognition was given to #7 people. Those seven people were all awarded a beautiful crystal trophy that was given based on their outstanding service to their member agencies. As you may know the SoupMobile has had multiple members in the Americorps program for the last several years.

While all #7 awards given at the dinner were important, the Highest Award given was the: LARRY JAMES SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD. This is given in honor of Larry James--Executive Director of Central Dallas Ministries. For many years Larry has been on the front lines in the Dallas area in the war against poverty. This award is only given to one Americorps member each year. It is a special and unique award in that its only given to the best of the best.

I'm proud to announce that our own Sandra Davis (SoupMobile Warehouse Manager) was this years winner of the top award. I was honored to be able to give the speech at the Awards Dinner announcing Sandra as the winner. Keep in mind that Sandra had no idea she would be awarded any of the #7 awards, let alone the top honor. I wish you all could have been there to see the audience reaction as I told Sandra's incredible turn around story and how she came back from a hard life on the streets to becoming one of the key players at the SoupMobile. How with God's help and redemption she is making an incredible difference in the lives of the homeless in the Dallas area. There were both tears and smiles from the audience members as I told how the 'Prodigal Daughter' came back from the abyss into Gods loving embrace.

One of the best perks of being the Executive Director of the SoupMobile is that I get to witness first hand people turning their lives around. No one is a better example of that than Sandra. She has come light years from her days on the streets to becoming a highly respected member of the Dallas community. Sandra is a shining beacon to anyone who wants to turn their life around. As she often says, "If I can do it---so can you."

Sandra, I know that I speak for the entire SoupTeam when I say how very proud we are of you. Some people 'WANT' to make a difference in this world---you 'ARE' making a difference!

May the Lord bless & keep you all.

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

Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

Home Sweet Home!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

Whether you live in a House, Condo or Apartment, its the place that you call 'Home Sweet Home.'

In the Dallas area there are over 10,000 homeless men and women. They don't have a permanent place to call home. They are nomads in search of that thing we call 'Home Sweet Home.'

The SoupMobile started as a 'mobile' soupkitchen in 2003. In that first year we served 5,000 meals and at the time we thought that was a lot. Now we serve more than 200,000 meals per year. In 2009 we decided to expand our feeding operation to now include sheltering the homeless in a venture called: SOUPMOBILE VILLAGE. The Village is a series of group homes specifically designed to take a homeless person right off the streets, put a roof over their heads, clean them up, get them a job and eventually transition them back into regular working members of their community. Its a 'Hand UP' not a 'Hand OUT.'

We opened our first Men's Home on October 7, 2009. We opened our first Women's Home on April 1, 2010. I'm pleased to announce that we have just purchased our 3rd home and its scheduled to open in June 2010. This 3rd home was purchased thanks to the generous support of the Roger & Joy Beless family of Coppell, Texas and the Rick & Linda Graf family of Plano, Texas.

Slowly but surely the SoupMobile is making a dent in the homeless problem in the Dallas area. However I've had a few people say to me, 'Hey SoupMan, don't you get it---there are over 10,000 homeless people in the Dallas area---you can't make a difference.' My humble reply is to tell them the starfish story.

STARFISH STORY

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"

The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back they'll die."

"Son", the man said, 'don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and thousands of starfish? You can't make a difference!"

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said..."I made a difference for that one."

The SoupMobile is passionately committed to following the words of Jesus who said--- 'Feed MY Sheep.' We believe he meant more than just food. We think he also meant love, caring, compassion AND shelter.
So with God's leading we will (ONE STARFISH) at a time, save as many homeless men and women as we can.

How about you? Will you join the SoupMan and his fabulous SoupTeam in saving some Starfish? Will you join the SoupMan in helping some Starfish find their own 'Home Sweet Homes?' You can reach the SoupMan at 1-800-375-5022. He's waiting for your call.

May the Lord bless & keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director--SoupMobile Inc.

Serving Pancakes or Serving Love??

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!
This past Saturday the SoupMobile, in partnership with the Highland Park United Methodist Church, the Dallas International Street Church and the Step Forward group, put on a huge pancake lunch for 1,000 homeless men and women in South Dallas.

It was unlike any pancake meal you have ever experienced. The SoupMan and his fabulous SoupTeam and over 35 dedicated volunteers rolled up their sleeves and cooked thousands of pancakes, scrambled eggs, omelets made to order, tender sausage and fresh orange juice.

Some people might view the Saturday Pancake Lunch and think, 'well nice going SoupPeople---you did really well and fed a lot of people.' Well true enough---we did feed a lot of people. But if you look deeper the question arises? What were we really serving? 2,000 years ago a man named Jesus walked the planet and he told us to "Feed HIS Sheep." What did he mean? Just food? I don't think so. I think Jesus meant wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more than food. I think he also meant love, caring, compassion and shelter.

So what were we serving Saturday. Pancakes or Love? The answer is both! Food to feed their bodies and love to feed their souls. Which one was more important? Now that's a question the SoupMan will leave to wiser folk than me. Lets just say that we doled out huge amounts of both food and love.

One thing I know for sure. Its not just enough to serve food to the homeless. Anybody can do that. I believe the Lord expects us to do more than just give them food and then pat ourselves on the back and tell ourselves we did great. If we do not also give them love, then I think we have failed miserably.

The homeless are used to being shunned, ignored and pushed aside. A few people out there even think that the homeless are unworthy of love. Thank heavens Jesus didn't think that way. Because if he did NONE of us would be getting love. Jesus loves us all unconditionally---warts and all. We need to pass on the favor to our homeless men and women. We need to love them unconditionally.
So what were we serving Saturday at the Pancake Lunch! Lots of Food AND Lots of Love!. Now that's what Jesus was talking about!!!

May the Lord bless & keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

Is the SoupMan Bragging Again???

Dear SoupFriends:

Greetings from the SoupMan!

God is truly amazing. On Thursday April 1st we celebrated the GRAND OPENING of our Women's Home in SoupMobile Village. (Check out the Friday April 2nd edition of the Dallas Morning News---Page 2B of the Metro Section for news about the Grand Opening). Also click on this link to hear and read coverage by KERA Public Radio:


http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kera/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1631444/North.Texas/Soup.Mobile.Opens.Village.For.Women.

As many of you know we previously opened our Men's Home in October of 2009. Our ultimate goal is to open 100 group homes for the homeless in the Dallas area.These group homes in SoupMobile Village are specifically designed to take a homeless person right off the streets, put a roof over their heads, clean them up, get them a job and eventually transition them back as regular working members of society.

At Thursday's Grand Opening we were blessed to receive major news coverage. What's so important about all the news coverage one might ask? Is it to fatten our hat sizes? Not really! The publicity is crucial for getting the word out about the SoupMobile's Mission of Feeding & Sheltering HIS Sheep. The more people that know about us, the more that can help us.

Here's an example of what I mean. When the SoupMobile Village Men's Home opened in October 2009, the story was featured on the front page of the Dallas Morning News and on local TV. A local couple, Roger & Joy Beless, who had already been looking for a way to help the homeless--saw the coverage and contacted the SoupMan to offer their help. Roger who is the COO of Archon Residential Management Co arranged to have his company match their personal donation and those combined funds paid the full purchase price of the Women's Home.

I want my readers to know that Roger & Joy reluctantly allowed me to use their names. They are not in this for the publicity or for any personal gain. They are supporting the Women's Home & SoupMobile Village because they share in our dream of reaching out to the ones Jesus called the 'least of these.' Their prayer is that others will see what they have done and be inspired to help.

So let the SoupMan do some bragging here. The SoupMobile opened our Men's Home in October 2009. Incredibly six short months later we opened our Women's Home. Pretty amazing don't you think and well worth bragging about. However I'm NOT bragging about the SoupMobile---I'm bragging about God. We serve an awesome God. Only God could pave the way for a little baby charity (only #7 years old) like the SoupMobile to open two group homes in a six month span. Don't you just love bragging about God! I know I do!

Jesus said 'Feed MY Sheep.' At the SoupMobile we believe he meant more than just food. He also meant love, caring, compassion, and YES---Shelter. My prayer is that you would give prayerful consideration to helping me fund the further expansion of SoupMobile Village---just like the Beless' did. Not for personal gain or for instant gratification, or for publicity, but simply because Jesus said 'Feed MY Sheep.'

Will you help me?

May the Lord Bless & Keep You All,

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

You can't out Big God!!!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

I believe that whatever talents we have in this life are actually gifts from the Lord. For example a Child Prodigy who can play the piano like Beethoven has received that musical gift from God. He was literally born with it. A star athlete who has amazing physical abilities or a singer with an incredible voice---all gifts from the Lord. I believe its our responsibility to honor those gifts, practice and hone them to benefit God's children.

I've often wondered what my gift (s) from the Lord were. I can't sing, can't play a musical instrument, don't have any amazing athlete abilities, wasn't the best student in school, have trouble keeping up with all the new computer technology and don't really seem to have any special knack.

However it seems one gift that 'I' do have is the ability to Think Big! A God given gift to be sure, but one that I have sharpened and developed over the years. And one thing I have noticed is that no matter how big I think, God thinks bigger---way bigger!

In 2003 'I' thought to create a mobile soupkitchen called the SoupMobile. In that first year of operation we served 5,000 meals. Today (based on God's bigger thinking) we serve more than 200,000 meals per year.

In 2005 'I' thought to create the SoupMobile Christmas Angel Project. In that first year we took 100 homeless people & put them up at the Dallas Hyatt Regency Hotel for Christmas. Today (based on God's bigger thinking) we take 500 homeless people to the Hyatt every Christmas.

Over the years all those I's started turning into We's. One by one God sent me an eclectic group of staff members, friends, supporters and volunteers who seemed to carry that same DNA gene for thinking big.

In 2009 'We' thought to open up SoupMobile Village--a group Men's home designed to transition the homeless off the streets. In 2010 (based on God's bigger thinking) we are expanding the Village by opening up a group Women's Home in April 2010.

Now its March 2010 and 'We' are beginning another SoupMobile program. Yes, the 1st Annual SoupMobile Golf Outing. And just like when we started the SoupMobile in 2003; started the Christmas Angel Project in 2005 and started SoupMobile Village in 2009 we are going way out on a limb. For us its always been about new uncharted territory. And throwing a Golf Outing is definitely uncharted territory for the SoupMobile.

But no worries as we serve a God that thinks big and knows just what we need to do to pull it off.

Why a Golf Outing you ask? Simple---to raise funds for the SoupMobile to support our Feeding and Sheltering operation. We have scheduled the date for the golf outing for June 7, 2010. Guess what??? We don't have a golf course lined up; no tournament sponsor; no expertise in running such an event; no deep pocket donors backing our plan, and basically no clue on how to pull this off. What we do have is a God that thinks big and supports the SoupMobile as we reach out to the ones Jesus called the 'least of these.'

The SoupMan needs your help. He's looking for men and women who carry that same DNA gene for thinking big. Those who aren't afraid to take the road less traveled. Those who will venture with us into uncharted territory.

Anyone out there in SoupLand have any ideas, expertise, money, or experience running an event like this? Anyone out there is SoupLand who can help sponsor the event? Anyone out there who wants to play in the event? We have 90 days to put this event together. Not much time for mere mortals---but an eternity for the Lord.

Can you help! Will you help! Will you think big with us and help make this event come together on June 7, 2010!

And remember what its all about. Its not about the golf---although we will have a fun time. Its about 'Feeding HIS Sheep' with food, love, caring, compassion and shelter. Are you with me!

May the Lord Bless & Keep You All.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

There's always a Catch!!!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

In the last 45 days two major earthquakes have occurred on our planet. Both were major news events and our airways have been flooded by pictures, commentary and news anchors reporting live from the devastated areas. For those of us who have never been in an earthquake (that includes myself) its hard to comprehend the utter ruin and catastrophe our fellowman has suffered.

1. January 12, 2010: An earthquake registering 7.3 on the scale occurred in Haiti. Its estimated that there are 250,000 dead and over One Million Homeless. Countries from all over have rushed to aid the Haitians in their time of desperate need. Almost overnight the United States marshaled an incredible array of resources to help our Southern neighbors. Food, medical supplies, clothes, water and volunteers have been sped to Haiti.

2. February 27, 2010: An earthquake registering 8.8 on the scale occurred in Chile. Its too soon to know how many people were killed, but its clear that thousands more became homeless overnight. Once again countries from all over---including the United States, will be sending assistance of every kind imaginable to help a country beset by tragedy.

What's the SoupMan's take on the amazing response to these catastrophes? My initial reaction is that my heart is gratified to see people from every walk of life reaching out to those in need. In a world were there seems to be too much hate, too much anger and not enough goodwill, its wonderful to see Americans and members of the world community rising to the occasion to help those most in need.

However there is a catch. Ah yes, always a catch. And what is that catch you ask? Its simply this---what about the homeless in our own back yard. In the Dallas area alone there are over 10,000 homeless men, women and children. What about them---the forgotten ones? They aren't getting news coverage from all the major networks, TV anchors, and newspapers. And while there are some services for the homeless in Dallas, there is no overnight massive relief effort being sent their way.

Now don't get me wrong. I am totally in support of the efforts to help our neighbors in other lands. I believe all humanity is important and that as a nation we have to reach out to those in need in Haiti and Chile. But I have to come back to that 'catch.' What about the homeless right here under our noses. Why aren't we riding to their rescue. Could it be that its because they are the forgotten ones. Could it be that they have been in our midst so long we take them for granted. Could it be that we have neglected to take care of our own?

So what's the solution you ask? My humble suggestion is that we do both. Help our neighbors in foreign lands and help our neighbors right in our own backyard. Now some might believe that its too difficult to do both. I beg to differ. One of the big campaigns for Haiti was to send a text message donating $10.00 for relief efforts. Thousands responded to that plea. How hard would it be to donate an extra $10.00 to our Dallas homeless. Many people actually got on a plane and went to Haiti to help. How hard would it be for you to get into your car and drive into Dallas to help our own homeless.

Here's the bottom line. You don't have to do a lot. Thousands of people pitching in (even on a small basis) can make a huge difference. In the Dallas area there are more than One Million residents. Many of you helped the Haitians and will also help those in Chile. I'm asking you to also help locally. The SoupMobile is on the front lines when it comes to Feeding, Clothing and Sheltering the homeless in the Dallas area. Come and join the SoupMan and his fabulous SoupTeam as we reach out to the one's right here in Dallas that Jesus called the 'least of these.'

For more details on how you can help, go to www.soupmobile.org and click on VOLUNTEER. With your help there doesn't have to be a 'catch' anymore!

May the Lord bless & keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director--SoupMobile Inc.

Do Something!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan.

Last week the Dallas area was hit by a record snowstorm. Many were calling it the storm of the century for this area of Texas. For Dallasites who rarely (if ever) see snowfall, this was an amazing weather event as more than 12 inches of snowfall rained down.

The Dallas area was literally turned into a winter wonderland. Schools closed, business's shuttered their doors, and people ventured out to play in the snow. Sledding, Snowman's and Snow Ball fights. But for some it wasn't all sugar and spice. Over 200,000 people lost their power. Many for a day or two and some up to five days. For most no power meant no heat. For long days and even longer nights people were huddled in their homes or apartments trying to stay warm. The fortunate ones had fireplaces, but even for them it was no picnic. With the night time temperatures dipping well below freezing it wasn't much fun going night after night with no heat.

Guess what? Even with no heat you are one of the lucky one. I know what you are thinking, 'hey SoupMan---have you gone off the deep end?' How can you call me lucky when I had to live in my house with no heat for days on end? The answer is simple. Imagine thousands of homeless men and women who had to survive the record snowstorm and freezing temperatures with no home whatsoever. Imagine as you sat huddled by your fireplace trying to get warm how you would fare if you were living outside in a cardboard box without any heat.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not making light of the fact that you had to live in your home with no heat for days. In fact I was one of the fortunate ones who did NOT lose his power. But I'm originally from Michigan and over the years we lost our power multiple times during the winter and let me tell you, losing your heat in a Michigan winter is not for the meek.

The point here is this. For those of us who have lost our power at one time or another and had to suffer days in a cold apartment or home, we got a 'small taste' of what the homeless go through on a daily bases every winter. And I think its a good taste. I think its okay to be reminded that homeless people out there are hurting. Good decent people whose lives have taken a turn for the worse. Good people who are suffering. Good people who need help.

So what can you do about it. Well as the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said:

"DO SOMETHING".

What 'something' you ask. Well you can volunteer with a local charity that services the homeless. If you don't have time to volunteer you could make a financial donation to the charity. If you don't have either time or money you could be in prayer for the homeless. Whichever it is---DO SOMETHING!

May the Lord Bless & Keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

She Came to Serve!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

At the December 2009 SoupMobile Christmas Angel Project I was privileged to meet well over 1,000 people. The list was endless. There was Tom Leppert--the Mayor of Dallas; a 'who's who of Dallas society; hundreds of volunteers; 500 homeless guests; TV reporters; Radio commentators; Dancers from the Debbie Allen Dance Studio and a whole host of invited attendees.

Good people with good hearts who share in my passion for reaching out to the ones Jesus called 'the least of these.' But there was one young lady who truly touched my heart in a powerful way. Her name was Kelley. I met her at the huge lunch time banquet we throw for the homeless on December 24th in the Hyatt Ballroom. She was there as a volunteer and was working by serving food to our homeless guests. That in itself was nice, but nothing unusual---we had hundreds of volunteer servers. What was unusual was that Kelley was in a wheelchair. I'm not sure what caused her to be in the wheelchair but I could tell by her fragile frame that she was dealing with a serious issue. I was instantly drawn to her. She had an amazing smile and I could see she had a kind heart. She wasn't wasting any time feeling sorry for herself---she came to serve!

During the banquet I asked her if she would be kind enough to allow our picture to be taken together. She graciously said yes. That picture now hangs proudly in my office over my desk. We live in a world where sometimes it seems difficult things happen to good people. Kelley didn't have to be there 'Feeding HIS Sheep.' She could have said 'it's too hard', or 'I'm not strong enough' or 'why doesn't someone serve me.' None of those words or thoughts came from Kelley---she came to serve!

Once the banquet was over I lost track of Kelley. She disappeared into the huge crowd. That should have been the end of the story---it wasn't. Many hours later that evening I was walking the floors of the hotel checking to see if our overnight homeless guests needed anything. Guess who was sitting there at the end of the hallway on the 8th floor serving as floor monitor for our homeless guests. Yes, it was Kelley---fragile, sitting in her wheelchair and that kind smile beaming straight into my heart. She came to serve!

We often refer to our sports personalities as heroes. The quarterback who makes the winning pass in the Super Bowl, the basketball player who makes the shot at the buzzer in the championship game or the baseball player who hits the home run in the bottom of the 9th inning in the World Series. Heroes??? Not for me. I know who my hero is--- a young lady sitting in a wheelchair with a heart of gold. She came to serve!

May the Lord bless and keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

And Then Came Lon!!!

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

The SoupMobile started in 2003 on a wing and a lot of prayers. Over the last 6 1/2 years the Lord has sent us some wonderful people to serve on our staff. Each staff person that has come our way has been unique and different in their own special way. Each one bringing their own energy and talents to our mission of 'Feeding HIS Sheep.'

One of those people is a man by the name of Lon Ricker. He started volunteering with the SoupMobile back at the 2007 Christmas Angel Project. Then in June of 2009 he officially joined the SoupMobile staff. We immediately threw him into the deep end of the pool. Lon took on the title and tasks of; Director of Development, Chairman of the SoupMobile Advisory Board, and Chairman of the SoupMobile Christmas Angel Project.

And even though we threw him into the deep end of the pool he bobbed right up and started swimming. He not only brought a wealth of talents and expertise to the job, he brought a work ethic second to none. Most important he brought an amazing passion for reaching out to the ones Jesus called 'the least of these.'

This Blog is not so much about all that Lon has done for us (which is a lot), but more on the journey that God guided him on that brought him to our doors. I'm not going to try to describe that journey in my Blog because a news reporter by the name of Ruth Glover has done it superbly in a recent article about Lon in the EXAMINER PAPER. The Examiner is a major media company doing business in over 100 markets throughout the United States and Canada.

The title of the reporters article is: Software to Soup: a Dramatic Career Change. Its a story you don't want to miss. To read all about Lon's journey from Mr. Software Executive to I'm in the deep end of the pool at the SoupMobile, simple click the following link:

http://www.examiner.com/x-31872-Dallas-Career-Transition-Examiner~y2010m1d26-Software-to-soup-a-dramatic-career-change

p.s. You might find a little bit of yourself in Lon's story. And like Lon you too may find that happiness at the end of the rainbow.

May the Lord Bless and Keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

The American Fallen Soldiers Project

Dear SoupFriends,

Greetings from the SoupMan!

I have the honor and privilege of telling you about an amazing non-profit agency called: THE AMERICAN FALLEN SOLDIERS PROJECT (AFS). Their mission is to honor, respect and forever remember those who have sacrificed their lives protecting our freedom while serving in our Armed Forces.

We live in a country where we to easily banter about the word 'hero.' Sometimes we even refer to our sports personalities as heroes. I think not! The real heroes are the men and women of the Armed Forces who put their lives on the line for us everyday. Sadly these real heroes are sometimes too quickly forgotten. To make matters worse their grieving families are left to pick up the pieces.

AFS Project provides, at no cost to the families, an exquisitely framed original portrait of their fallen loved one that fully captures their appearance and personality.

By providing this portrait to the grieving families the American Fallen Soldiers Project not only makes a lasting impact on the family but is also provides them a sense of life and the presence of the fallen American hero on canvas. Even more important these portraits provide a lasting testament to those fallen soldiers who have faithfully served our country and paid the ultimate price.

As the SoupMan I am blessed to serve as the Executive Director of the SoupMobile serving the homeless in the Dallas area. As an average American who loves his country, I feel honored to recommend and support The American Fallen Soldiers Project. However I want you to know that I have no vested interest in supporting AFS. I am not on their Board of Directors, or on their payroll or receiving any kinds of benefits/perks whatsoever from them. What I do get by supporting them is a warm feeling in my heart that money just can't buy.

Want to know more about AFS. Well the SoupMan has made it simple for you. Simply go to our website: http://www.soupmobile.org and click on the LINK to the American Fallen Soldiers Project. You to can get that warm feeling in your heart by recognizing and honoring the real heroes of our great country.

May the Lord bless and keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

Donations of Warm Weather Items Pour In!!!

Dear SoupFriends:

Last week during the Arctic cold snap, I put out a Code Blue appeal for winter coats, blankets, clothes, boots, gloves and hats. My grateful thanks for the incredible outpouring of donations that flooded the SoupMobile. You came by with all kinds of warm winter gear and the SoupMobile went on nighttime patrol during the cold snap delivering these items to the homeless living under the bridges, in the woods and behind dumpsters.

In the Dallas area there are over 10,000 homeless people, but only 2,000 shelter beds. Simply math tells us that many homeless people are living outside every night. Your donations helped them through this last cold snap. Your donations make a huge difference. For many of us its hard to comprehend how one could survive living outside in the worst of the winter weather. It's certainly not easy, but with your help you gave them a fighting chance to stay warm and safe.

Some people think the spirit of giving and caring is dying out. You all are living proof that this is not true. I am truly touched and humbled by your generous outpouring during this last cold snap. Thank you for helping me help the ones Jesus called the 'least of these.'

We/you are making a difference.

May the Lord bless and keep you all.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan
Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.

Winter Weather Hits the Homeless Hard!!!

Dear SoupFriends,

Its Thursday Jan 7th at 5:00PM and the temperatures are plummeting, Tonight it's expected to go down below 15 degrees. With the wind blowing the wind chill will be close to zero. To make matters worse the nighttime temperatures are not expected to rise above the freezing point for the next week or so. In the Dallas area there are over 10,000 homeless people, but only 2,000 shelter beds. Simple math tells us there is not enough 'room at the inn.'

This kind of cold is flat out dangerous for our homeless men and women. This is the kind of cold that causes serious illness and sometimes death because of hypothermia . If you are lucky enough to have your own home or apartment you will have to keep the heat systems at full bore just to stay warm. But imagine if you were sleeping outside in a cardboard box under a bridge. No thermostat to turn up and no fireplace to sit around and drink hot chocolate and warm your toes.

During the cold snap the SoupMobile will be on emergency patrol in the Dallas area. We will be out in our van late into the night passing out warm blankets, coats, boots and food. The SoupMan needs your help. We desperately need blankets and coats to help us get through this cold snap and then the rest of the winter.

The City of Dallas has called a Code Blue Alert because of the cold weather. The SoupMobile is calling its own Code Red Alert. Bring your warm weather items to the SoupMobile 3017 Commerce St. Dallas, Texas 75226. Coats, blankets, boots, hats, gloves---whatever you can spare to help keep these precious children of the Lord most high warm. The SoupMobile will make sure your donations get distributed to the ones that need it most---the ones Jesus called the 'least of these.'

If you can't donate any warm weather items, please give prayerful consideration to making a financial donation to the SoupMobile so we can go out and buy more coats, blankets, hats and gloves. To make a donation simply go to http://www.soupmobile.org/ and click on DONATE.

I know that for the next few nights as we pass our coats, blankets and food its going to be miserably cold. However I have the comfort of knowing that when we are finished with our runs I will eventually be crawling into a warm bed with the heater blasting. For thousands of homeless people in the Dallas area, there will be no warm bed or heater to turn up. Only the cold North wind blowing and numbing their hands and feet and cutting them to the bone.

Help me help them. The time to act is now. Don't let another winter day go by without doing something to help.

May the Lord bless and keep you.

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

Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.