Scripture calls us to help those in need, and telling us in part: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’’
(see Matthew 25: 36-46)
History
It is from this, that the “Seeds of Faith” ministry sprang in 2002. A group of volunteers joined together, pooling their resources to prepare and serve dinner once a month at a Portsmouth, New Hampshire homeless shelter. As the needs increased, we went to our church, the Christian Life Church in Eliot, Maine, to help fund the dinners. They graciously agreed to support us and have continued doing so since 2004.
In 2005, the Seeds of Faith ministry saw the ever increasing need and filling a void, we began providing nutritious lunches to the homeless every Saturday. To fund this increase of providing up to 100 lunches weekly, we applied for and were awarded a grant from the Schleyer Foundation.
As the size and scope of our services grew, and as we looked to our calling for the future, Seeds of Faith ministry incorporated and became a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization in 2007.
Food Pantry Services
As we grew, a food pantry was developed in response to the residents’ ongoing need for groceries. Many residents leave a shelter and carry a “poverty mentality” with them. They don not know how to budget money for food to last throughout a month. Initially Seeds of Faith delivered food to each family once a month. As the demand grew, we expanded the food pantry services. We believe it is especially important for children to have healthy meals, as they can be a casualty of poor nutritional education and poor generational habits. Along with providing nutritious foods, we also help by providing recommendations for healthy diets. It is our position that children in America should never have to do without proper and adequate nutrition.
The Chase Home
Helping children is a large part of our ministry. When the need was brought to our attention, Seeds of Faith came to the aid of The Chase Home in Portsmouth, NH. We began by painting rooms, repairing broken furniture and walls as well as general cleanup. We now sponsor two annual events for the children. Summer Fest is an all day event filled with fun and interaction between the children and staff. It helps form bonds and fosters good will. The director of the home claims it is not only the highlight of the year, but also changes the atmosphere for months after! The other event is the Thanksgiving Feast, serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal for the children. The day includes games and prizes, concluding the celebration with the presentation of a rose for each child to remind them that they are indeed special, remembered and loved.
Homelessness
Hopelessness, lack of self worth, futility and resignation are often the earmarks of homeless adults and children.
As we came to know the residents of the homeless shelter on an individual basis, we soon realized that many were becoming accustomed to homelessness. In an effort to support breaking the cycle of dependence, we purposed to help individuals transition from homelessness to independence. We began by connecting them with the resources necessary to do so, assisting with transportation, medical care, securing apartments, furniture, etc. One such individual was a 64 year old gentleman named Henry Bowen. Partially crippled with hip problems and a ‘resident’ of the homeless shelter for almost 2 years, Henry had no plan, or hope, of leaving the shelter and could not conceive of living “on his own”. We counseled Henry and helped him envision himself in a life of productivity and independence; Henry was given hope for a brighter future. Seeds of Faith helped get him the medical treatment he needed and helped move him into a clean, low income apartment. We helped furnish and outfit the apartment and helped in other ways. Henry was so grateful and joy filled at his ‘new’ life, he wanted to help others transition as he had done.
Henry passed away in June of 2009. He left what money he had to Seeds of Faith to help others as he had been helped. Using this and other resources, Seeds of Faith created the Henry Bowden Fund, a resource to help others move from hopelessness and homelessness to hope and independence.
It is these experiences, and the many other such life stories, that were the genesis for the transitional homeless program New Beginnings; creating new beginnings from life’s dead ends.
