Dear Friends and Partners,
What an exciting year 2011 has been for Feed by Grace! We have experienced tremendous growth, spiritually and in the number of homeless friends coming into Unity Park. In 2009, we hosted over 10,000 visitors at Unity Park; this year, that number has doubled. More than 75 church and civic groups come into Unity Park with hundreds of volunteers throughout the year. Many bring things to meet the physical needs of our homeless friends. But more importantly, they come to build relationships, provide words of encouragement and hope, and through this interaction begin to build a healthy and happy community. Unity Park provides a sanctuary for our homeless and a safe place for volunteers to come and minister and be changed by the experience. Testimonies come from both homeless friends and volunteers about the awesome things God has done while sitting over a cup of coffee or playing a game of chess.
2012 brings a new “Vision” for Feed by Grace and Unity Park. We have known for several years that God has called us to be a bridge between “the church” and the homeless community. We feel that we have begun to accomplish this goal. With financial help from churches and partners, we believe that Feed by Grace can expand our programs to include weekly ministry opportunities. These would include therapeutic recreational programs such as yoga and other physical activities, crafts and art classes, game times and other activities to enrich the lives of those in the community. This would also afford other ministry times for groups to come and serve in the park during the week. Unity Park already has raised bed gardens which we would like to use for the homeless to grow food and give to those in the surrounding neighborhood who are housebound, elderly or unable to afford fresh vegetables. This would also give opportunity for volunteers to come and assist the homeless in care and maintenance of their garden, a “plot partner.” Feed by Grace will be providing a valuable program for those in the community with idle time that needs to be filled and a need that is not being provided by any other agency on Lancaster. The other agencies in the area agree that there is a need for such a program that would encourage and build community.
To accomplish the new “Vision,” we need your help. Prayerfully consider giving of your time, money and most of all your prayers. Look for our monthly newsletter on the new website for more information about what is going on in Unity Park.
Blessings in His name!
Kathy LaQuey
Executive Director
Feed by Grace