2017 LENTEN PROJECT

The Parish Pastoral Council voted that for this year’s Lenten Project, we assist both the Food Pantry and Takin’ It To The Streets Omaha. Background information on these two worthy causes is provided below.

  • Bring to church food items for the Food Pantry and place them in the boxes at the entrances of church.
  • We shall take up monetary donations/contributions for Takin’ It To The Streets Omaha & the Food Pantry: there are boxes at the entrances of church marked: “2017 Lenten Project”. Please indicate where you would like your donation to go to (Takin’ It To The Streets Omahaor Food Pantry). Any donations not specified will be divided 50/50 between the two places. Please make all checks payable to St. Patrick’s Church.
  • Donations will be collected from Ash Wednesday (March 1) through Easter Sunday (April 16).

TAKIN’ IT TO THE STREETS:

In 2005, Preston “Pretzel” Marshall, a native American, Marine veteran, & recovering alcoholic, was led by the Lord to start an outreach ministry for the homeless Native Americans in Omaha. He started his outreach in a parking lot on the corner of 24th & Howard feeding out of the back of his pickup once or twice a month on Friday nights. He would serve peanut butter sandwiches, hot dogs, or whatever he could afford at the time. To start, he fed around 15-25 people at a time. He named his ministry, Takin’ It To The Street.

Seeing the need growing and no means of financial or physical backing, he approached the Council Bluffs Chapter of the Christian Motorcyclist “Harvest Riders” to see if they would want to get involved. Through Gods help and many of His faithful servants, it has grown now 11 years later to over 75 volunteers from numerous churches, youth groups, and business organizations. Today “Takin’ It To The Streets” is serving 15 times a month & 80 to 100 meals are served each time. They now have a building that they lease at 24th & Howard where they serve around 10 times a month, and 3 mobile crews going out 3 times a week serving in the tent encampments and where the homeless sleep (under bridges, railroad tracks, along the river, and in city parks).

100% donor supported! 100% volunteer! They completely rely on His blessings, provisions, and the faithfulness of His servants for His mission to continue to serve the least of these our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Contact Info:

Takin' It To The Streets
P.O. Box 4818

422 S 24th Street
Omaha, NE 68104

(712) 326-4286

or Bobby Dofner at (712) 326-4286

Hours:

Meals Served:

Monday: 9 am to 1 pm

Friday: Dinner at 6 pm

1st & 3rd Saturdays: 8 to 11 am

Rushing Wind Street Church Service:

Thursday 6:30 pm

Sunday 10:30 am

FOOD PANTRY:

The Food Pantry was in Neola for over 20 years. It started in the old Senior Citizen’s Building until it was torn down. Then it was moved to the Legion until it was sold. It was then moved to the basement of the old Neola City Hall. It was moved to its current location at the Minden United Church of Christ last September. The Food Pantry serves families in the communities of Neola, Persia, Underwood, Minden, Avoca, & Harlan.

Hours: Saturday morning’s from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Most Needed Items: Laundry Detergent, Dish Soap, Fruit Juices, Breakfast Cereal, Canned Meats, Paper Products, Spaghetti Sauce, Soups, and Hamburger Helper.

Contacts: Mark & Geri Bjorling at 402-968-5357