Mitzvah Ministry
It started with a pastry.
In 2007 two Congregation Beth Messiah members were sitting in a local La Madeleine near closing time, and they saw that all the delicious pastries that weren't sold that day were being thrown away, including Tiramisu, Strawberry Napoleon, cheesecake, Ann’s Cake, French Vanilla tart with Berries, Lemon Tart, Sacher Torte, and Fresh Fruit Tart. One of our members thought about what a waste that was when there are homeless people in Houston without enough to eat, let alone having a delicious pastry.
Through another CBM member, she found out about a homeless ministry already operating in Houston and attended some of the outreaches for Houston's homeless people. She then went back to the restaurant and spoke to the manager about the possibility of donating the pastries to the homeless. She offered to come pick the pastries up just before closing time and take them to the homeless ministry. At first the manager was reluctant, but the CBM member volunteered to pay for them herself. He gave her a reduced rate for the pastries, and she started paying herself for the pastries two nights a week and taking them to the homeless outreach organizers.
After about a year, the restaurant manager said, "You know what? I've gotten to know you over time, and you don't have to pay any longer for the pastries. They are free for you to use for the homeless." In time, Congregation Beth Messiah officially adopted the ministry the CBM member was already doing.
From pastries given to the homeless, the ministry has grown to dedicated nine or more dedicated CBM families who
- buy groceries for the outreach we are responsible to provide food for once a month on a Sunday.
- cut up the chicken and vegetables for the soups we make -- three pots of soup which feed 50 or more people
- three families who cook the hearty chicken and vegetable or Southwest chili soups or rice from a recipe from a CBM member
- people who serve the food to more than 200 homeless people once a month
- people who hand out adult one size fits all socks or small personal care items like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, etc.
- pray throughout the week for the prayer needs that homeless people write on cards they turn in during the service
Many people in Houston and in America are only one or two paychecks away from serious financial problems. Some even find themselves on the streets through identity theft and resulting inaccurate credit reports which make it very hard to get a job. Also, government agencies, strapped for cash, are shutting down or decreasing funding to homeless shelters in Houston. The poor are becoming poorer.
CBM members regularly respond to calls to give socks and toiletries for the next Mitzvah Ministry outreach to the homeless in Houston, happening once a month on the first Sunday of the month. If you would like to know more about this ministry, please call the CBM office for more details. Thank you.
