Thursday, October 28, 2010

A Brand New Day in Denver

For two years, we’ve been telling you about our upstart outreaches in Denver, where volunteers have distributed nearly 2,000 sack lunches since April 2008.

It was a grassroots effort with a grand design – creating a model whereby we could multiply this form of God’s love and affection for the homeless in countless cities across the United States.

As of Oct. 1, a new stand-alone nonprofit has officially unfolded (beyond the original Tulsa-based organization). It goes by the name of, well, what else – Filling The Void Denver.

If you’re keeping score, that’s Filling The Void times two – each with the same mandate to serve the poor, but with separate bylaws, books, bank accounts, boards of directors and donor bases.

All along the way, we sought the counsel of a Christian attorney who understands what God has called us to do and wants to help make it possible from a manageability standpoint.

Separating the ministries allows localized leadership to stay focused on the people and the specific needs in their city.

Our number one priority is to keep our encounters with those we serve evangelistic, intimate and personal vs. just going through the motions of feeding someone and whisking away.

This structure also frees up Filling The Void’s founders to pursue finding our third, fourth and fifth cities, wherever they may be. (We’re praying about that and working on it.)

Not to be lost in all of this is a huge financial story. Filling The Void Denver is already fully and completely funded for one year out, thanks to the faithful and generous support of our donors.

In previous years where our donations exceeded our expenses, we saved and socked the extra funds away by putting them in interest-bearing CDs for just such an opportunity.

And keep in mind, the very first portion (about $800) of Denver’s first-year funds came from offerings that were given by the needy at our outreaches in Tulsa during 2009 and 2010.

Think about that tidbit for a moment or two – the homeless caring for the homeless. It’s totally true. And it’s just one of the miracles we’ve seen God do in the past seven years!

Meet our Denver-based Leadership:










Board Member Dave Warren, VP Andy Forcina & VP Gary Nilson

To Support The Denver Ministry:

Financial contributions can be sent to 4353 S. Quail Court in Littleton, 80127. Checks can be made out to Filling The Void Denver.

100% of your support goes toward charitable efforts to feed and minister to homeless and needy persons. We do not deduct any portion for administrative expenses, which are funded separately by our Board and by certain grants.