October 2005 Report

THE BOOM-BOX BROKER

We met Greg downtown on Oct. 19. He tried to hock a boom-box for $20. He said he needed help with rent. We dismissed the offer, figuring it might be for drugs. Then we called his landlord. Greg’s story was true. He was in a pinch because he helped relatives who were hit by a hurricane. He had paid down what he could, but was $120 short. We gladly paid his bill (and didn’t take the tunes).

IT’S GETTING COLDER

The first feel of winter arrived Oct. 6. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was uncomfortable. We gave Homer a new coat to cover his short-sleeved shirt. Coats, flannel and cotton aren’t enough though. The poor need help paying for natural gas. According to reports, prices are expected to be 30 to 48 percent higher this year. We’ve already helped one family this season. Will you help us help more?

“TIME” FOR LUNCH

Have you seen the new old-time clock at 3rd & Boston? If not, drop by any Wednesday at noon. It’ll be easy to find. Just look for the crowd of homeless people waiting for lunch. That’s where we’ve asked them to start meeting us. They got the message, all right. We had about 30 people the first time we went there. All told, we handed out 235 sack lunches on the streets in October.

TOTALLY TAX-FREE

Most people assume that a 501c3 doesn’t have to pay taxes. That’s partially true. Yes, the IRS lets us keep all our income, but the state likes their cut on every purchase. Not anymore. Not for Filling The Void. Our buying power just increased 8-9 percent. It took two attempts, a talented attorney and some timely divine intervention. Now we have it – a much sought-after sales-tax exemption.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

Oct. 13, 2003, holds a special place in our hearts. That’s the day God gave us the vision for Filling The Void. His messenger was a man named Roy Dungin. It was our first real encounter with the homeless. Roy just wanted lunch, but he really needed Jesus. He even admitted so. We fed him and prayed with him. What we did that day gave us a model for doing street ministry. Two years later, we’ve handed out more than 2,000 sack lunches.

$68 STILL GOES A LONG WAY

A man can live at the YMCA for just $68 a week. That’s less than $10 per day. Who knew you could get so much for so little? We do now, thanks to James who works at the “Y” on behalf of the Mental Health Association. We wound up buying a total of four weeks in October to help two young men. Please pray for Thomas and Chad. Both of them need God’s hand to get established in life.

THE GREAT GROCERY GIVEAWAY

We made our monthly trip to Hallelujah Church @ 13th & Peoria on Oct. 30. We filled 55 bags with hot dogs, turkey, buns, bread, chili, cheese slices, Pringles, pecan rolls and milk. The recipients included a blind man and a lady who had come several blocks on a 4-wheeled medical scooter.