2020 Newsletter: November
11/30/2020
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. -Matthew 25:4
Meeting Needs
In addition to the estimated 20 trips in the ministry truck to provide warm gear for the streets, TLOT was blessed with the opportunity to house five people in November!
Every time we help unsheltered friends find housing, we are reminded that they each have unique stories that brought them to homelessness. This month we helped a couple who was living in their car, a gentleman who had been homeless for the largest part of seven years, and another gentleman (pictured) who is a 70-year-old veteran.
On the second Thursday this month, we had a successful Thankful Thursday as we fed about 40 homeless friends. On the fourth Thursday, instead of Thankful Thursday, we organized our first-ever Day of Thanksgiving. See details of that great event below.
The compassion and support our community has shown is beyond humbling! The TLOT Village has been SO gracious to assist us with the effort to meet street level needs. Our heart runneth over!
In addition to the estimated 20 trips in the ministry truck to provide warm gear for the streets, TLOT was blessed with the opportunity to house five people in November!
Every time we help unsheltered friends find housing, we are reminded that they each have unique stories that brought them to homelessness. This month we helped a couple who was living in their car, a gentleman who had been homeless for the largest part of seven years, and another gentleman (pictured) who is a 70-year-old veteran.
On the second Thursday this month, we had a successful Thankful Thursday as we fed about 40 homeless friends. On the fourth Thursday, instead of Thankful Thursday, we organized our first-ever Day of Thanksgiving. See details of that great event below.
The compassion and support our community has shown is beyond humbling! The TLOT Village has been SO gracious to assist us with the effort to meet street level needs. Our heart runneth over!
"Thank You!" -Henry
Sometimes, as we journey with our homeless friends, things don’t turn out the way we had hoped they would. However, they turn out just as God has appointed. Last winter, we housed a gentleman named Henry. He was a very kind gentleman and was always offering to help others. Unfortunately, he had some internal struggles and was unable to maintain employment and, inevitably lost his housing. However, Henry called us recently to say that he has been in treatment for six months and will be graduating in three months. He called just to say “thank you” for the help we provided for him. He told us that, although he lost his housing, the love and kindness he was shown by the TLOT Village showed him “the way”! He is clean and striving to get his life on track. Please say a prayer for Henry to continue his path to recovery and success.
Sometimes, as we journey with our homeless friends, things don’t turn out the way we had hoped they would. However, they turn out just as God has appointed. Last winter, we housed a gentleman named Henry. He was a very kind gentleman and was always offering to help others. Unfortunately, he had some internal struggles and was unable to maintain employment and, inevitably lost his housing. However, Henry called us recently to say that he has been in treatment for six months and will be graduating in three months. He called just to say “thank you” for the help we provided for him. He told us that, although he lost his housing, the love and kindness he was shown by the TLOT Village showed him “the way”! He is clean and striving to get his life on track. Please say a prayer for Henry to continue his path to recovery and success.
It's Getting Cold Out There
As the temperatures continue to plummet, especially during the night, many folks are in desperate need of coats, gloves, and sleeping bags.
In response to this urgent situation, we have created a "crisis needs list." Should you feel led, we would be MOST grateful for your assistance in securing these most important needs.
As the temperatures continue to plummet, especially during the night, many folks are in desperate need of coats, gloves, and sleeping bags.
In response to this urgent situation, we have created a "crisis needs list." Should you feel led, we would be MOST grateful for your assistance in securing these most important needs.
TLOT Day of Thanks: Success!
The TLOT Village, along with our friends at the Samaritan Inn, was blessed to host a great Day of Thanksgiving. Our unsheltered friends enjoyed an amazing Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, and more dessert than we could count. Each table was filled with guests who expressed their appreciation many times for the amazing meal!
We estimate that we fed approximately 75 guests and 30 volunteers! The plethora of delicious food was provided and served by our amazing TLOT Village. The leftover food allowed us to bless the Samaritan Inn for their Friday meal.
“This event held many special moments,” explained TLOT Ministry Founder Dawn Sandoval. “However, the moment that stuck with me most was when one of our guests shared that he was taking the gold plastic silverware with him because it made him feel like royalty. TOUCHDOWN! THAT was our goal; to make our friends feel special and I think it is safe to say our mission was successful!”
We estimate that we fed approximately 75 guests and 30 volunteers! The plethora of delicious food was provided and served by our amazing TLOT Village. The leftover food allowed us to bless the Samaritan Inn for their Friday meal.
“This event held many special moments,” explained TLOT Ministry Founder Dawn Sandoval. “However, the moment that stuck with me most was when one of our guests shared that he was taking the gold plastic silverware with him because it made him feel like royalty. TOUCHDOWN! THAT was our goal; to make our friends feel special and I think it is safe to say our mission was successful!”
#GivingTuesday
After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past eight years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. If you are able, we would appreciate your support on this day of giving.
After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past eight years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. If you are able, we would appreciate your support on this day of giving.
'Tis The Season
Don't forget to use Amazon Smile and select The Least of These Roanoke as your charity of choice. This is an easy way for us to get a portion of the proceeds and it doesn’t cost you anything extra!
Don't forget to use Amazon Smile and select The Least of These Roanoke as your charity of choice. This is an easy way for us to get a portion of the proceeds and it doesn’t cost you anything extra!
Your continued support in the way of financial donations, purchases from the Amazon Wishlist, and prayer makes it possible for this ministry to make a positive difference for our unsheltered friends in the Roanoke Valley and for His Kingdom. Online donations can be made via PayPal or checks can be mailed to TLOT, 602 Marshall Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016. Lastly, we covet your prayers as we continue supporting our unsheltered friends during this pandemic.