The Holidays are officially upon us! This is one of the most wonderful times of the year as we soak up the holiday spirit, enjoy some of the biggest meals we eat all year, and spend time with our families. But this season is also one of the most important to be serving those around us that we have all year. This is the time of the year that we are able to reach and encourage so many people- those who are hungry or hurting or may have no family. Thanksgiving and Christmas outreaches are some of the most fun that we have all year, as entire families come out to serve together- bringing meals, toys, and just the love of Jesus with them into homes of those who are hurting or in need. There is nothing quite like it.

Today we kicked off our first holiday outreach at both our Baton Rouge and Donaldsonville Dream Centers as families came out to deliver bags of groceries and hams to thousands families in both communities. It is such a crucial time to reach out to families this Thanksgiving, especially with the number of hungry families in our country at a 14-year high. There are 49 million families in the United States who don’t have adequate access to food, and instead of being discouraged by this number, we see it as a greater opportunity to reach out and serve harder, working to help provide for those families.

We had an amazing outreach today, with so many serving and reaching thousands of people, and praying with each family they met! So many of those who served were adversely impacted and encouraged by those they met at the Dream Centers, and it made for a great beginning of holiday outreaches here at Healing Place.

A family prays with a woman as they give her a Thanksgiving ham

Team of volunteers head out together in Donaldsonville to bring groceries door-to-door.

What is your church doing to reach out to those in need this holiday season? We would love to hear your stories!