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
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
No comments:
Post a Comment