What is Door Outreach?

Every Tuesday, dedicated volunteers give out food at our door outreach at OIM. Here is just a snippet from one of our volunteers of what a Tuesday afternoon looks like:

“Tuesday afternoons start with a prayer: ‘Lord, let there be ample provisions for our street friends, let their needs be met, and let us be your hands and feet and show the love of Christ to those less fortunate.’

At OIM, we search the pantry, and our eyes light up when we see that we have a much-coveted food item that particular friends always ask for and never receive. Over the years, a community has developed between street friends and volunteers. The lineups at the door have been steadily getting longer over the past year, in part due to the increasing number of refugees looking for food items to feed their families. You realize that many friends come every week looking for a friendly word, a quick chat, or a shared joke, just as much as a sandwich. I’ve come to realize that the Tuesday Door Outreach is benefiting the volunteers as much as the clients – this is a social gathering for all of us, where social barriers are torn down and relationships are developing with the most unlikely people. What a blessing to be able to serve!”

At OIM, we are very thankful for all our volunteers who serve our street friends with joy, kindness, and faithfulness. We give thanks to the Lord that he has provided us with the strength and the means to bless those around us. “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” - Psalm 115:1

~Lydia, Summer Student