THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
When FCOC reaches out to the community for financial donations, food, clothing, and volunteer help, we are never disappointed. I want to humbly thank the many organizations who have allowed me to be a speaker at their meetings. The goal of FCOC is to spread the word about our services, and create partnerships with businesses, organizations, individuals and the schools. With the support of the entire community, we can serve more people in crisis. “Hunger is a love problem!”
There are so many times that God shows His presence in our outreach center. Here are some of His miracles.A family from Florida safely reached their sister’s Flushing home before Hurricane Irma hit. The family had two days to return to Florida due to a job commitment. For now, their car is their home. The mom came in and told us that she didn’t know what she was going to do. They spent nearly all of their money making their trip to Michigan. The FCOC volunteers went into action, bagging food, gathering clothing, praying, and, providing hope! Before they drove off, the grateful women said, “I left my sister’s and just started driving. I didn’t know what we were going to do.
Then I saw a church. I sat in the parking lot where my family prayed for God’s mercy.” Holy Cross Lutheran Church sent this family to us. Amen!
As a funeral procession went by FCOC, one of the volunteers and I began talking about the many deaths and illnesses that have been occurring lately. Then my eye caught a bright pink Bible on the giving table. I told my friend, “This is where we need to turn.” I started thumbing through the pages and came across some loose handwritten pages. God’s message was sent by someone unknown to remind us of His love, comfort, and mercy.
Terry Bigelow
Program Manager
FROM THE FCOC PROGRAM MANAGER...
WE ARE THANKFUL
TO HELP THOSE IN NEED
HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THEIR STORIES...
Homeless in Flushing?
How can that be?
Where can you go when you can’t go back home because of a dangerously, abusive relationship? The YWCA Safe House was full! All of the shelters in Flint were full! To make matters worse, this all happened during the ice storm in April and even though it was too cold to survive outside, the warming center in Flint closed on April 1.
What can you do for a client who is homeless in Flushing? Pray! Pray! Pray! “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah” 65:24
God answered our prayers and she is now housed and safe.
Suddenly, Jill’s Husband Became Critically Ill...
Jill and her husband had a thriving business that had been in the family for three generations. During the recession, their small-town business was hit hard. Employees were laid off and hours of operation were decreased. The hard-working couple was determined to ride out the downturn.
Suddenly, Jill’s husband became critically ill. Now, every day she faces the struggle of keeping the business open and paying all the necessary medical bills. Plus, she’s without her husband’s partnership of keeping the doors open.
Recently, Jill’s family had no food in the house with no money to restock their pantry. Fortunately, FCOC was there to help them through a difficult time. Food assistance is critical to the health and well-being of families like Jill’s and can mean the difference between hunger and health.
Jill’s family is not alone. Too many Flushing residents don’t always know where their next meal will come from. Hunger is a terrifying reality for 2 in 10 people in our community and 1 in 6 Flushing children. FCOC’s mission is to reach out to those in need of food, clothing, prayer, and resources to navigate through an economic crisis. We invite you to be one of our warriors against poverty by praying, volunteering, and giving. Our neighbors need you.
The Importance of a Friendly 'Hello'...
One of our volunteers was cleaning the porch outside of the outreach center. A person walked by the center and both exchanged pleasant hellos.
The man suddenly stopped and came back to the bottom of the stairs. He looked up at the volunteer and said, “Hey, I hear you can help people here.” The volunteer’s genuine concern for the man came through in her caring answer, “We certainly do help people in our community who need food, clothing, personal items, and/or resources to other agencies who can assist in ways we can’t. He replied, “It’s the end of the month and my disability check doesn’t come in until next week. I really need some food and toiletries to get the through.” The mask of shame fell away from this man’s face the moment he found a friendly person who was willing to welcome him into our place of love.
SERVING OUR SENIORS
We are thankful to help so many in our community.
Many of the people we help at FCOC are the senior residents in our community. Living on a fixed income, some of those residents have to make the choice between purchasing either vital medication or food each month.
The National Council for Aging Care published an important article regarding the facts behind senior hunger:
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE
Left to right: Front Row: Diane Jerichow, Caitlin Seavey, Second Row: Carole Hibbard Back Row: Bill Abendschein, Noralyn Hassold, Evelyn Johnson
Carole Bearer
Eric Mason, Bob Krueger
Marie Gengler, Halle Slough
We are thankful for all of the wonderful volunteers that serve at FCOC. Here are just a few of the many friendly and caring volunteers that you will see here.