 |
|
Winter Relief Program
The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Matt 25:40
The purpose of this ministry is twofold: to keep our homeless guests from the Baltimore / Annapolis corridor from freezing to death in the winter months, and to show them God’s love in simple, practical ways during our time together. For our volunteers, it is to share with them the blessing of a broader, deeper faith through serving.
Winter Relief is all about loving your neighbors and reaching out with the love of Jesus Christ with people helping people. |
|
Riva Trace just completed our ninth year of serving as a host church in the Arundel House of Hope’s Winter Relief program. As one of about 55 churches across Anne Arundel County, RTBC ministers to the homeless by providing them with shelter, food, Godly love and respect.
While at RTBC, our guests are:
- Served three meals a day (lunches are packed and sent with them for the day),
- Given a warm place to sleep,
- Provided transportation to and from the church each day,
- Offered organized free time where they can play games, watch movies, or enjoy Christian-based entertainment and education,
- Encouraged to participate in daily Bible studies, and
- Given the opportunity for a warm shower, a fresh haircut and to have their clothes laundered.
The program also includes hosts from our church who stay at the shelter throughout the night, a nurse on site who can assist in unexpected health issues, people available to run errands and a team to set up and break down the shelter at the beginning and end of the week.
Interesting Facts:
- Involves about 250 hands-on church volunteers.
- Approximately 38 guests.
- RTBC donated $5,700 to Winter Relief in 2009.
- Served 266 hot dinners.
- Served over 800 meals—continental breakfast, lunches & hot omelet brunch on Sunday.
|
|
How you can Help...
Pray for the success of this program, to include the spiritual, physical, and mental welfare of our guests.
Volunteer your group or family to provide an entire evening meal (contact Phyllis Peebles for info).
Donate money for food, drink or other supplies needed for breakfasts and/or lunches (visit the WRP kiosk for more information). Drop a check earmarked for WRP into the offering or give it to one of our kiosk workers. The RTBC WRP program also needs full size bed sheets, which you can drop off at the church.
Here’s what a few of our coordinators said when asked why they help with WRP:
“I feel honored that in some small way God uses me to show these people that they have value, that they belong and that they matter. For me, doing the laundry of folks who don't get the chance to put on fresh clothing very often creates the same feeling as giving a gift to a friend. I know that they don't NEED it, like food and shelter; but isn't it great to be thought of? Oh, I LOVE that feeling!”
"I enjoy working Winter Relief as it presents an opportunity to serve those less fortunate than myself. It always serves as a reminder as to how blessed I am with much more than the basic necessities, which often are taken for granted.”
“Christ didn't have a home either; would he be considered homeless today in our society? I just have a heart for the homeless, and we can't reach their spiritual needs until we meet their physical needs.”
“I started to serve because I thought it was something I should do, but I ended up finding out how rewarding it is to help other people.” |
|
Some facts about Anne Arundel County’s WRP program for 2010-2011:
- Program runs from 10/18 to 4/10
- 55+ churches are participating
- Capacities range from 15 guests to 60 (RTBC’s capacity is projected at 40 guests)
- Guests are screened before being admitted into this supervised program
- Host church transports guests from intake (Glen Burnie) and back
- Guests arrive around 5:30 pm and are taken back to intake at 7 am
- Program provides cots, pillows, & blankets
- Host church provides shelter, meals, transportation, agape love, support, and access to showers and laundry
|
|
Then Jesus said to His host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers, or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14: 12-14
For general information on ways you can help RTBC provide this essential and rewarding ministry, contact Ron or Heather Rahorn:
(410)551-6953
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
Sharing 
