Serving The Community One Meal At A Time

by Brooke Ezzo | photos courtesy of Daniel Andres & Brooke Ezzo

It is a simple idea, a simple mission with a huge impact. Feed the Need Missions’ ministry is simply to feed people, both physically and spiritually. Providing a hot meal on a weekly basis to communities across Texas allows volunteers the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships, to be a listening ear, and to share the hope of Jesus Christ.

Every Thursday evening, you’ll find site leaders Daniel and Brandy Andrews and their selfless volunteers setting up their mobile kitchen on the grassy area next to Justin State Bank. With Josh Matthews grilling up burgers, Shawna Reynolds organizing the volunteers, and plenty of food to go around, everyone is welcome.

“The burger is just the tool,” Brandy said. “The people who come are hungry. Some are hungry for the burger and some are hungry spiritually, and we are here to fill those needs.”

Feed the Need’s Justin location has seen many new faces as 2020 has been a particularly difficult year. There are four types of poverty the ministry addresses:

physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. There are people in the community who come each week who have been isolated and need connection. There are those who need encouragement, and of course, we all need the Gospel.

“There are people from all walks of life,” Brandy said. “This is what the church is all about — being the hands and feet of Jesus.”

The Feed the Need trailer is a traveling kitchen on wheels. With electricity and running water, the trailer is full-service and allows the team to set up wherever the need takes them.

The Justin site has been feeding the hungry weekly, rain or shine, for over four years.

“It’s an overwhelming privilege to be able to serve our community. To watch the outpouring of love that comes from total strangers when they realize and understand what our mission is, is why we do what we do,” Daniel said. “People look at small towns like Justin and think of the tight-knit and closeness of the community and have fear that, as we grow, that will dissipate. But, I think it’s programs like ours that are able to keep that closeness and to keep those relationships growing.”

As the holidays draw near, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to show gratitude by blessing those around us. Feed the Need

Missions’ annual Thanksgiving Gobble Kits campaign provides local families in need with a traditional dinner. Donations of dinner items or monetary donations are greatly appreciated, and more information on how to receive a kit or donate a kit is available on the Feed the Need website.

Whether you are hungry for a burger, social interaction, or something more, Feed the Need will be there for you every Thursday evening. For more information, visit www.FeedTheNeed.org.

Feed the Need Missions and the Justin site volunteers make the health of the community their top priority. Tables at the site are socially distanced, masks and glove are worn by all volunteers, and they offer a drive up option.