serve |səːv| verb [ with obj. ]1 perform duties or services for (another person or an organization) • provide (an area or group of people) with a product or service: Find a way to serve your city.
One of my goals and resolutions for 2018 was to get more involved in serving my community, and inspiring others to do the same. I received a message from a friend on Facebook last week, asking if I knew of any organizations he and his wife could get involved with. I shared several organizations with him, but his question made me realize there may be more individuals out there who are looking for places to serve or give, right here in our own community.
I have a list of several incredible organizations we partner with, both personally and in our business, but today I am going to share about one of my Dallas favorites: SoupMobile.
I was introduced to this organization several years ago and fell in love with their heart to serve, feed and clothe homeless individuals in my very own community (and I have been a proud supporter since). The founder, David Timothy, lovingly referred to as, “the Soup Man” by those he serves, focuses on two main things every day of his life: bringing the love of Christ to people and his mission to feed the homeless. And he is doing both of those things–well!
With thousands of volunteers, SoupMobile takes 10-20 people to be part of their daily feeding mission Monday-Friday, year-round, rain or shine. The homeless are served through a buffet-style lunch line. Volunteers are encouraged to give extra food away, like chips, snacks and power bars, so they’ll have food to eat when they leave. There are over 10,000 homeless individuals living in Dallas, and only 2,000 shelter beds. The Shelter Program at SoupMobile was designed with a series of group homes as supportive housing and emergency housing for short-term stays. The long-term housing was created to take homeless men, women and families off the streets, put a roof over their head, help them get jobs, and eventually help them to become working, productive members of society.
Christmas for the Homeless
MINT Dentistry proudly supported SoupMobile’s Christmas campaign, collecting empty shoe boxes and filling them with a variety of small, inexpensive gift items to improve the lives of thousands of homeless individuals who will be on the streets this winter. The response was wonderful for this need, but the cold weather in Dallas has continued, so if you have any coats or blankets to donate—you can bring them to 3017 Commerce St. Dallas, Texas 75226 (Deep Ellum District) any weekday (Monday-Friday) between 7am-11am.
Here are some other winter items that are always needed: McDonalds $5 gift card, hat, gloves, scarf, tube socks, hand warmers, plastic poncho, small umbrella, small hand sanitizer, toothbrush + toothpaste, disposable razors, travel size kleenex tissues, lip balm, pen, pencil, small notebook, flashlight, small radio (with batteries), granola bars, hard candy or gum, paperback book, or a small Bible.
I want to encourage each of you to find an organization to support this year—and if you are looking for a good one, I suggest SoupMobile! They have many ways to serve through volunteering to feed the homeless, giving items to those in need and through financial monthly partnership. Just $5 a month can make a huge difference for someone who has lost everything! Take a look at some of the cool ways you can get involved here!
I would love for you all to get involved in helping this organization to serve the homeless right within our own community. Let’s all resolve to serve one another a little more this year!!
XO-
Sabrina