POSTED: 1/29/2025
2024 YEAR IN REVIEW

This was a record-breaking year for The Least of These Ministry as we continued to serve the unsheltered population in the Roanoke Valley. "Thank you" isn't nearly enough to adequately show our gratitude for all of the hands and feet that came together this year in order to provide services at our "sustaining station" on Luck Avenue, our warming bus (affectionately known as "Hope Haven 2", Mercy Grace, our mobile outreach vehicle, and our motel, "Suites by TLOT". To God be the ultimate praise and honor for continuing to bless this ministry:
- 9744 meals served
- 3495 showers provided
- 1462 loads of laundry performed
- 1149 individuals found warmth and safety on the warming bus
- 3937 pantry items distributed
- 70 guests provided shelter at Suites by TLOT
- 10 people were permanently housed
TLOT RECEIVED A NEW WARMING BUS!
In 2024, our original warming bus became irreparable, after three years of service. We prayed for the Lord to provide a new warming bus to accommodate the growing number of people and animals we see on nights when temperatures dip below 40 degrees. He answered our prayers: "Hope Haven 2" offers 34 comfortable seats and an incredible heating system!
As you know, this winter season has been especially brutal with temperatures in the teens, along with more snow and ice than we are accustomed to. Recently, we have experienced so many frigid nights with many folks seeking shelter from the cold that we are operating TWO buses! Thank you to Bethel Baptist Church for the donation of the 2nd bus and to Robert Young's Auto & Truck Inc. for coming out and assisting us in getting it started during the extremely cold temperatures! In addition, we are thankful beyond words for our amazing warming bus staff, Greg Vaughn and Art Zambounis! The warming bus shelter program would NOT be possible without them! |
TLOT HOSTS DINING WITH DIGNITY
We hosted our 5th annual Dining with Dignity on September 14th at Roanoke's Elmwood Park. We were blessed to serve approximately 110 homeless friends with an amazing dinner and a blessed time of fellowship!
As a family (both volunteers AND guests), we created a sand art masterpiece, representing that we are ALL one in Jesus Christ! It is such a beautiful image! Shoutout to George’s Flowers for the beautiful table centerpieces, Olive Garden, Tizzone Wood Fired Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Outback Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse for the delicious food. And of course, a shoutout to all of the bakers and dessert makers for the delectable treats, along with those that came and served our homeless friends with smiles and grace. |
MISSION MOMENTS
Homelessness is never something Alesha Castro thought she, her husband & their 3-year-old child would ever face. We were honored to host this sweet family at the Suites by TLOT for three months & rejoiced alongside them as the Lord provided a permanent roof over their head JUST in time for the holidays!
Watch Alesha's testimony of homeless to housed during an interview on 7@four HERE. |
In addition to serving humans at our TLOT facility, we also serve furry friends! This sweet girl's name is Precious! On one recent cold Friday, we were blessed to provide her with a new harness, leash & sweater. You can help restock the pet area of our pantry by providing harnesses (all sizes, but mostly L & XL), leashes (up to 8 feet) & sweaters/jackets (sizes L-XXL).
Items can be dropped off at our facility MWF 12:30-4:30 or shipped to our home office address — 602 Marshall Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016. |
TLOT IN THE NEWS
The Least of These Ministry in need of volunteers
https://www.wdbj7.com/video/2024/09/24/ least-these-ministry-need-volunteers/ |
The Least of These provides update on warming bus, ministry operations
https://www.wdbj7.com/2024/10/22/least-these-provides-update-warming-bus-ministry-operations/ |
Frigid temperatures highlight need for shelter in western Virginia
https://www.wfxrtv.com/community/frigid-temperatures-highlight-need-for-shelter-in-western-virginia/ |
SCENES AROUND THE BUILDING
During the week of Thanksgiving, our volunteers were blessed to serve alongside Roanoke's finest! The newest graduating class of the Roanoke Police Department were a much-welcomed presence around the facility, helping serve lunch, facilitate showers and laundry services, and retrieving pantry items alongside our volunteers.
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On an icy day when most people were stuck at home, Heather Chocklett and the Mission BBQ team braved the stormy elements to ensure that our unsheltered friends received an amazing meal! Our friends were treated to a full buffet line with sides, desserts and a beverage station. We are beyond thankful to them for the food and the service!
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MINISTRY NEEDS: HOW YOU CAN HELP
Financial Donations:
As we continue to serve our unsheltered friends by way of the facility, directly at the street level, 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. |
Help Needed:
If you have a heart for people and have the availability, we would love to partner with you in service!
If you have a heart for people and have the availability, we would love to partner with you in service!
- Facility Volunteers – This role includes ensuring that our unsheltered guests get checked in and are provided with lunch and facilitating shower and laundry services on a Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday, from 11:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. or until closing duties are complete. We will gladly work with you to determine dates that work for you! If you're interested in volunteering, send us a message on Facebook messenger or you can email us at [email protected]!
- Loving Lunches – Volunteers are invited to purchase/prepare enough food for approximately 75-80 people and deliver to the TLOT headquarters, located at 422 Luck Avenue, by 12:00 noon. Through the provision of these "loving lunches," our friends will have the opportunity to enjoy a meal while waiting their turn to shower and/or launder their clothes. If you're interested in providing a lunch, click here!