2022 Newsletter: July
07/10/2022
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
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." -Genesis 50:20
In the late hours of June 26th, the front door glass of the ministry building was vandalized and shattered. It was a long night cleaning up glass, talking to Roanoke City police, and finding a way to secure the building, but the glass was repaired just a few hours later. We were able to resume normal operations by opening time at 1:30 and serve 30 unsheltered friends.
When the ministry first opened its doors for showers and laundry services in April, 2021, we were serving approximately 10 to 12 guests per day. Today, we are seeing as many as 30 guests per day! We are blessed to offer lunch and refreshments three days a week while our guests use our shower and laundry facilities.
In 2017, when the housing piece of this ministry was launched, it quickly became one of the hallmarks of the TLOT ministry. So many of our unsheltered friends currently need permanent housing but with rental rates skyrocketing, a shortage of affordable housing units, and a rental market saturated with more qualified renters, most of our friends remain without shelter.
However, we are proud to report that since 2017, we have helped approximately 300 individuals and/or families secure housing. It is a blessing for us to continue this part of the ministry including, most recently, helping a single mom and her baby!
In the late hours of June 26th, the front door glass of the ministry building was vandalized and shattered. It was a long night cleaning up glass, talking to Roanoke City police, and finding a way to secure the building, but the glass was repaired just a few hours later. We were able to resume normal operations by opening time at 1:30 and serve 30 unsheltered friends.
When the ministry first opened its doors for showers and laundry services in April, 2021, we were serving approximately 10 to 12 guests per day. Today, we are seeing as many as 30 guests per day! We are blessed to offer lunch and refreshments three days a week while our guests use our shower and laundry facilities.
In 2017, when the housing piece of this ministry was launched, it quickly became one of the hallmarks of the TLOT ministry. So many of our unsheltered friends currently need permanent housing but with rental rates skyrocketing, a shortage of affordable housing units, and a rental market saturated with more qualified renters, most of our friends remain without shelter.
However, we are proud to report that since 2017, we have helped approximately 300 individuals and/or families secure housing. It is a blessing for us to continue this part of the ministry including, most recently, helping a single mom and her baby!
TLOT has a vision to address more housing needs through the creation of a tiny house community. We are investigating options and having conversations, but we need your prayers for this dream to become a reality!
In addition to the services that we regularly provide, TLOT has also worked to meet unconventional needs like assisting our unsheltered friends that have pets.
For example, we recently helped procure a wagon for one of our friend’s puppy who was suffering from exhaustion due to extensive walking. We also helped someone else secure a foster parent for her dog when she found herself homeless after her house was condemned.
In addition to the services that we regularly provide, TLOT has also worked to meet unconventional needs like assisting our unsheltered friends that have pets.
For example, we recently helped procure a wagon for one of our friend’s puppy who was suffering from exhaustion due to extensive walking. We also helped someone else secure a foster parent for her dog when she found herself homeless after her house was condemned.
MISSION MOMENTS
In June, we were humbled to assist two single moms and their children with furnishings, bedding, kitchen supplies and bathroom items for their new homes! One of these sweet families had just escaped a domestic violence situation.
With help from our TLOT Village, we had plenty of supplies to donate!
With help from our TLOT Village, we had plenty of supplies to donate!
TLOT IN THE NEWS
The Least of These Ministry sees
significant increase of people in need
WDBJ7 recently aired a story about the increase in homeless needs in the area. Check it out!
significant increase of people in need
WDBJ7 recently aired a story about the increase in homeless needs in the area. Check it out!
MINISTRY PRAISES
Faith Feeding Freedom, a homeless organization in Martinsburg, West Virginia, reached out to TLOT to share that they have replicated our locker model. Praise God that their homeless friends will now have a place to store their belongings!
In addition, we were recently contacted by a non-profit organization, located in Lynchburg, Virginia, inquiring about our ministry model as it relates to showers. She learned about us from the LavaMaex organization, another non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the homeless in California!
In addition, we were recently contacted by a non-profit organization, located in Lynchburg, Virginia, inquiring about our ministry model as it relates to showers. She learned about us from the LavaMaex organization, another non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the homeless in California!
MINISTRY NEEDS
TLOT couldn’t support the homeless in the many ways we do without our amazing village. As we are finding ourselves meeting more needs this summer, we are finding ourselves in need of additional items to help. From volunteers to t-shirts and individual bags of chips, our needs are great. If you are interested in purchasing something to help, visit our Amazon Wishlist.
If you are interested in volunteering to serve at our ministry building on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, email us. If you are interested in making a financial donation, you may do so via PayPal.
If you are interested in volunteering to serve at our ministry building on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, email us. If you are interested in making a financial donation, you may do so via PayPal.
2022 THANKFUL THURSDAY
There are still some available slots for 2022 Thankful Thursday starting in September! This is a great opportunity for small groups, friends, and/or families to rally together and prepare and serve a meal to our homeless community. Please only sign up if you are serious about serving.
Thankful Thursdays are held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. For more details, click here.
Thankful Thursdays are held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. For more details, click here.
The Least of These Ministry is a gap ministry that strives to make a positive difference in the lives of the homeless community in the Roanoke Valley. Its mission is to meet men and women living on the streets and serve them with spiritual, physical, and emotional support in the name of Jesus Christ. This is only possible because of the continued support we receive from our village in the way of financial donations, donated items, volunteering, and prayer. Thank you for being a part of our village!
The Least of These Ministry, 602 Marshall Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24016
The Least of These Ministry, 602 Marshall Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24016