Serving the Least of These, One at a Time

Today, I asked Jackie Belt, Director of Crisis Relief at Buckner to write about our ministry to people in need in the Dallas area:
People have lost jobs and homes. Many are searching for help, encouragement and hope. At the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid, we serve “at risk children and families” during a critical or traumatic time in their lives.

Through our doors come the little children, single moms, single dads, grandparents, young parents, elderly men and women, and we help them one at a time. Our referrals come from churches, teachers, social service agencies, and individuals. By providing food, clothing and furniture, financial assistance, school supplies and other necessities, our goal is to help these families at their point of need and to achieve and maintain independence and self-sufficiency.
During this 3rd quarter of 2009, the Crisis Relief Center served 7,370 with emergency food assistance. We served 5,504 with clothing assistance, 62 families with furniture assistance, 118 families with financial assistance and 148 children with school supplies. We had 98 volunteers work a total of 2,122 hours.
 
Marta came to the center for help. She has three children ages 9, 6, and 9 months. Her husband lost his job and their electricity was turned off. They live in a small two room house and all the children sleep in one room. Her husband, Pablo, is a hard worker trying to support his family by hanging sheetrock or doing any type of maintenance work or construction work for a few dollars to support his family. All the children were sick and hungry when they came to Buckner. They do not qualify for public assistance because Pablo is an undocumented citizen of Mexico. It was sad to see them hurting. Buckner provided emergency food assistance, utility assistance, along with clothing and diapers for the children. We see hundreds of people every week in crisis situations. It’s because of our donors and volunteers, that we are able to help. It seems like the more people we help, the more God provides the ministry with humanitarian aid.

During this 3rd quarter we received donations of humanitarian aid to meet the needs thousands of children and families. We distributed over 30 tons of food during this period. We thank God for our wonderful donors and volunteers. 

If you feel the LORD calling you to do something for the least of these, please contact me at jbelt@buckner.org and we will help you find your place of service. God bless you.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Comments

[David Chandler]

Jackie,
I am always amazed at the number of families and individuals in our own "backyard" that are served through the Crisis Relief Program. Praise God for the donors and volunteers that make this work possible. Right here in east Dallas, Buckner is making a difference in the lives of thousands. Jackie, I am proud to know you and to have worked alongside you for so many years. Your compassion and genuine concern for others is an inspiration to others and an excellent example of servanthood. Thank you for all that you do.

[Albert Reyes]

David, you make such a good point. We are doing good work right here in Dallas through Jackie and his team. What a joy to work with such a great team.