2024 april newsletter
04/04/2024
“If it wasn’t for TLOT, a lot of us probably wouldn’t survive.” - Formerly Unsheltered Friend
SUites by tlot opens!
The Least of These Ministry grows again with Suites by TLOT! Located at 5063 Franklin Road in Roanoke, Suites by TLOT is an extended-stay motel that can accommodate up to 30 people in 19 individual suites. Each room is fully furnished with 98% donated by generous members of our community.
On February 15, 2024, we celebrated Suites by TLOT's opening with a special ribbon cutting. We were so blessed by the outpouring of love and support from the media, city and county officials, partnering agencies, and community members. For media coverage on that exciting event, scroll below to "TLOT in the News."
None of this could have been possible without the help of the countless people who rolled up their sleeves for our Work Days. It was truly a labor of love as we cleaned, painted, furnished and landscaped the property over the course of several months. We would also like to thank Aetna for their sponsorship as a Diamond Donor.
On February 15, 2024, we celebrated Suites by TLOT's opening with a special ribbon cutting. We were so blessed by the outpouring of love and support from the media, city and county officials, partnering agencies, and community members. For media coverage on that exciting event, scroll below to "TLOT in the News."
None of this could have been possible without the help of the countless people who rolled up their sleeves for our Work Days. It was truly a labor of love as we cleaned, painted, furnished and landscaped the property over the course of several months. We would also like to thank Aetna for their sponsorship as a Diamond Donor.
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hustle for the homeless 5k returns!
It's that time of year again: Hustle for the Homeless 5K!
Join us for the 7th annual race Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 8 a.m. kicking off at 5th & Marshall in downtown Roanoke.
This is our 7th year hosting our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we need your help! With the addition of Suites by TLOT, we want to make this our biggest year yet with all the proceeds benefiting the ministry.
Click here to sign up for the Hustle for the Homeless 5K!
Join us for the 7th annual race Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 8 a.m. kicking off at 5th & Marshall in downtown Roanoke.
This is our 7th year hosting our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we need your help! With the addition of Suites by TLOT, we want to make this our biggest year yet with all the proceeds benefiting the ministry.
Click here to sign up for the Hustle for the Homeless 5K!
mission moments
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Dawn, a frequent visitor to TLOT, walked into the facility with a big smile on her face one afternoon & said to the staff, “I don’t need any services today. I’ll be bathing in my own home tonight." We got to rejoice with her as she cleaned out her locker on the side of our facility. Watch Dawn's story here.
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"Through the grace of God, I found TLOT!" Mark was homeless for a year and utilized TLOT's resources for lunches, shower, laundry and pantry needs during the time. He rang in the new year with a huge smile on his face -- he finally had a roof over his head! Watch Mark's story here.
tlot in the news
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Suites by TLOT opens to provide affordable housing for the homeless in Roanoke:
https://www.wdbj7.com/2024/02/15/suits-by-tlot-opens-provide-affordable-housing-homeless-roanoke/ Man finds hope as Roanoke non-profit opens motel to help the homeless: https://www.wdbj7.com/2024/02/20/man-finds-hope-roanoke-non-profit-opens-motel-help-homeless/ |
scenes around the building
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During the winter months, our friends were blessed with several hot meals, courtesy of our Loving Lunches program. These meals included chicken stews, soups, chilis, pastas, vegetables, rolls, and LOTS of yummy desserts! If you would like to provide lunch one day, please sign up HERE! The Lord blessed us with another season of being able to operate our warming bus outside the ministry building during nights where temperatures dipped below 40 degrees. We are so thankful for the wonderful attendants who manned the bus each night it was open, so our friends and their pets could be safe from the outside elements! |
ministry needs: how you can help!
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Financial Donations:
As we continue to serve our unsheltered friends at the facility, directly on the streets, and now through Suites by TLOT, financial donations are vital to continue our mission. Donations can be made via our PayPal link or you can mail a check directly to our home office address at 602 Marshall Ave SW, Roanoke, VA, 24016. |
Volunteers Needed:
If you have a heart for people and have some available time, we need volunteers!
If you're interested in volunteering, send us a message on Facebook messenger!
If you have a heart for people and have some available time, we need volunteers!
- Shower/Laundry Facility Volunteers – This role includes serving lunch to our unsheltered friends, ensuring that our guests get checked in, and facilitating shower and laundry services on a Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday, from 11:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Mobile Street Outreach Teams – We are searching for two teams of at least two people that would be interested in taking the mobile outreach vehicle to serve individuals living on the streets in various parts of our city. Each team would be responsible for serving one evening a week. Training is required!
If you're interested in volunteering, send us a message on Facebook messenger!