As you look through our ministry proposal, we wanted you to know that this proposal is about more than just budgets, programs, statistics, desks, and buildings. This proposal is about the people who grace our ministry each and every week. It is about helping these individuals find the truth, tools, and knowledge they need to change their lives forever.
When we first opened our church’s food pantry three years ago, we naively thought that the whole issue of giving out food was very simple. You come to the pantry, we’ll give you some food. You feel good, and we feel good. But after a while, our “feel good” feelings diminished and the ugly side of charity finally revealed itself. Greed, manipulation, resentment, and a sense of entitlement became the reality of many of our recipients. Also, the unfortunate tendency toward unhealthy dependency was forever lurking in our minds. In addition, we had no idea of the complex living situations that many of our clients lived in day to day. Here is just a sampling of them:

W. - a 73 year old World War II veteran who struggles with his diabetes, hypertension, and limited income. He had to use his life savings and sell his home to take care of his dying mother. Now, he lives in an efficiency apartment with a small refrigerator and a hot plate.

T. - a 56 year old grandmother who is raising her two teenage grandchildren since their mother died two years ago. They live in a dilapidated two family flat which needs constant repairs, which is owned by a landlord who is refusing to make the repairs. She is struggling to make ends meet with her meager income.

E. - a 50 year old mother of six who is on Social Security disability because of the loss of her right hand in an accident. She is living in a home with four able-bodied adult children who are living off her disability income.

S. & A - a married couple with six children. S. works full time at his job, but medical bills for his wife’s battle with breast cancer has drained them dry. They desperately need help in getting their lives back on track. Their children’s grades have also suffered as they have spent much time dealing with their mother’s illness, as well.

If we are to rightly care for those in need, the responsibility lies with those with resources to create systems of exchange built on empowerment rather than dependency. We need to get out of the business of giving away. We need to start using our heads as well as our hearts to build value into people and relationships. “Your work is our calling,” declared reformer Martin Luther. Does not the role of ministry include the enabling of the poor to find their calling?

Family Empowerment Program

Neighborhood Tutoring Program

Bread of Life Outreach

Community Care

Hole in the Roof Ministry Center Office

Proposed Yearly Budget for HITRMC