THE NEED IS HERE. THE OPPORTUNITY IS HERE.
WILL WE SERVE?
Across our city, families are facing homelessness and food insecurity, and neighbors are living outdoors. The question is not simply, “Is there a need?” The question is, “Will we respond?”
Through the partnership of the Mid-South Baptist Association, the Send Relief Memphis Ministry Center, and The Dwelling Place Christian Church, we want to make serving our city as accessible as possible. As part of the MSBA’s mobilization arm, we help equip, resource, and mobilize churches to live on mission throughout Memphis and the Mid-South.
There Is a Place for Your Church to Serve
Our Good Samaritan programs provide opportunities for individuals, small groups, Sunday School classes, and entire congregations to make a meaningful difference.
Volunteers can:
- Answer the Send Relief Help Line
- Support families rebuilding after homelessness
- Serve through Loads of Compassion or Doors of Hope
- Organize and distribute food through Food Crisis Support
- Serve at Dwell Well on Wednesdays
- Assist with practical projects around the Ministry Center
Some can serve weekly. Some can serve monthly. Some can bring a team. Some can provide resources. But all of us can do something.
Resources Available for Churches
Not every church has the capacity to provide every type of ministry. That’s why we want churches to know that the Ministry Center is here as a resource.
In addition to volunteer opportunities, we maintain a food pantry and clothing closet that any MSBA church can utilize when members of their congregation or people within their community are facing hardship.
Whether a family is struggling to make ends meet, recovering from a crisis, transitioning into stable housing, or simply needs a helping hand, these resources are available to support churches as they care for their neighbors and share the love of Christ in practical ways.
If your church becomes aware of someone in need, we would love to partner with you to help meet that need.
Serve Where God Has Planted You
Every neighborhood has unique needs, cultures, and opportunities for gospel ministry. Your church may be surrounded by families facing food insecurity, individuals experiencing homelessness, or other challenges specific to your community.
Let us help you think through what ministry could look like where God has placed your church. The Ministry Center team can provide ministry models, training, resources, volunteer mobilization, and practical next steps. Churches can serve alongside existing ministries, learn from them, and explore how similar opportunities might be developed in their own communities.
Our goal is to help churches become increasingly equipped to live on mission where they are.
Not Able to Volunteer? Help Us Feed Our Neighbors
If your church cannot send volunteers right now, there are still practical ways to participate. One of the simplest is helping us keep food available for the people we serve.
Dwell Well serves between 50 – 60 unhoused neighbors every Wednesday. Churches, Sunday school classes, small groups, families, and individuals can help provide:
- RIce
- Canned vegetables and beans
- Spaghetti and sauce
- Instant potatoes
- Bread
- Ground meat and chicken
- Shredded cheese
- Drink mix
- Individually packaged desserts
We also need ready-to-eat food for neighbors living outdoors who may not have access to a refrigerator, stove, microwave, or can opener. Helpful items include:
- Tuna or chicken pouches
- Pull-tab canned foods
- Peanut butter crackers
- Nuts and trail mix
- Fruit cups
- Breakfast bars
- Snack items
- Bottled water
- Electrolyte drinks
Family food boxes also require staple items such as proteins, rice, pasta, breakfast foods, vegetables, fruit, milk, soup, sauces, snacks, and other essentials.
Clothing Is Another Immediate Need
Because many of the people we serve are experiencing homelessness, practical everyday clothing is one of our greatest needs. We are especially seeking clean, casual clothing that people can wear day to day.
One of our most urgent needs is new undergarments for both men and women. Donations of practical clothing and new underwear can make an immediate difference for someone with limited access to clothing, laundry facilities, or storage.
Household and Hygiene Products Are Also Needed
Many of the individuals and families we serve struggle to afford basic household and personal care items. These necessities are often not covered by assistance programs, yet they can place a significant strain on a family’s budget.
We have an ongoing need for household cleaning supplies such as laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaners, disinfecting wipes, paper towels, and trash bags. We also welcome personal hygiene items including shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, and other everyday essentials.
Donations of these items help us care for families in crisis, individuals transitioning into housing, and neighbors working toward greater stability.
Imagine What Could Happen
Imagine if every MSBA church chose just one need to help meet.
One church collects canned vegetables. Another collects rice. Another provides meat. A Sunday School class purchases desserts. A small group gathers ready-to-eat food. Another church collects everyday clothing or new undergarments.
None of these efforts may seem enormous on their own. But together, they help meet real needs while opening doors for relationships, prayer, gospel conversations, and meaningful connections to the local church.
Start Somewhere
The size of the need can make us feel that our contribution will not matter. But the Church has never been called to solve every problem before taking the first step. We are called to love our neighbors, to serve, and to go.
Bring your church, small group, or Sunday School class. Serve for a morning. Help pack food. Prepare a meal. Collect groceries. Donate clothing. Give toward a ministry. Or talk with us about how your congregation can begin meeting needs in its own neighborhood.
Food and clothing donations can be delivered to the Send Relief Memphis Ministry Center during regular office hours. If getting the items to us is difficult, let us know, and we can arrange to pick them up.
Below are links to each of our Good Samaritan ministries, along with downloadable food and donation lists.
The need is already here. The opportunities are already here. Will we serve?
To learn more about serving through our Good Samaritan ministries, contact Sonya Abram at sabram@sendrelief.org.
