Tackle Hunger in High Point with Open Door Ministries
Souper Bowl of Caring offersa chance to help those in need by kick-off
Each month, over 150 families benefit from the food pantry at Open Door Ministries of High Point and the post holiday season is a time for replenishing needed supplies. In an effort to collect monetary and canned food donations, Open Door Ministries is asking local community organizations to take part in a national effort that has local benefits. One hundred percent of the donations will go to Open Door Ministries.
The Souper Bowl of Caring has become an annual tradition for many congregations, schools and other youth-led communities, which can make a big difference for charities, such as Open Door Ministries of High Point, who serve the community’s most vulnerable. Weeks leading up to the Super Bowl football game on February 5th, donations and canned goods are collected through various Souper Bowl of Caring groups.
The first Souper Bowl of Caring was held over 20 years ago, with only 22 churches and has since grown to include more than 12,500 groups nationwide. This youth-led movement has generated more than $81 million, benefiting local charities across the U.S.
With free promotional materials available, participation is easy and can be as simple as making an announcement one week and collecting from your congregation, school or civic club the next week. One canned good or one dollar per person can make a huge difference.
To organize your own Souper Bowl of Caring follow these easy steps –
- Contact Steve Key, Executive Director of Open Door Ministries, at 336-885-0191 to confirm your participation
- Register online with the Souper Bowl of Caring Organization to receive FREE promotional materials by visiting http://www.souperbowl.org/participants/add
- Collect monetary donations or canned goods before or on Super Bowl Sunday (Jan. 16 - Feb. 5, 2012)
- Report your totals at tacklehunger.org or by calling 1-800-358-SOUP (7687) for your organizations efforts to be counted in the national total
- Deliver your donations to Open Door Ministries located at 400 North Centennial Street, High Point, NC 27262 or call (336) 885-0191 to schedule pick up
Community Breakfast and Annual Food Drive Mark MLK Day of Service
In celebration of the MLK Day of Service a community breakfast will be held at Williams Memorial CME Church (3400 Triangle Lake Rd, High Point) on Monday, January 16 at 8:00 AM. Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring canned food items to replenish our local food pantries including the one at Open Door Ministries which supports 150- 200 families each month. Tickets for the MLK community breakfast can be purchased for $15.00 by calling (336) 454-0384 or visiting the United Way of Greater High Point (201 Church Avenue, High Point).
Learn more by watching WFMY's Food Drive Preview Coverage.
The Season of Giving Benefits ODM - Several Individuals and Community Organizations Take Time to Make a Difference
High Point Central High School "Men of Valor Excelling" organized a holiday food drive and collected over 700 cans of food benefiting Open Door Ministries.
ODM's Leslie Graham with the Korean United Methodist Church in Greensboro as they deliver Christmas gifts for the clients at ODM's Men's Shelter and gift for their "adopted" families.
Dean and Pinky Jordan distribute their annual holiday bags to the clients and guests at OPM's Shelter and The Father's Table Dining Hall
Samson International's “adopted” family is all smiles as they recieve Christmas gifts and a holiday meal from company employees.
ODM's Steve Key shares a photo and thanks with Kimberly Robinson from Dudley’s Hair Care Products as she delivers canned food collected from their holiday drive.
Open Door Ministries Hero of the Month
Those who have been to Open Door Ministries may recognize the friendly smile from volunteer and Hero of the Month, Keith McCall (pictured above). Keith has volunteered at ODM for almost a year answering the front desk phone and welcoming visitors five days a week. ODM was recommended to Keith as a way to keep him stimulated and he has certainly been busy. We are thankful for all his work and contagious smile.
Old Dominion & United Way Team Up To Donate New Mattresses To Open Door Ministries
(Pictured Above L-R: Bobby Smith, President of the United Way of Greater High Point; Steve Key, Executive Director, Open Door Ministries)
The United Way of Greater High Point coordinated the gift of ten mattresses to Open Door Ministries on December 20, 2011. These mattresses, donated to United Way by Old Dominion Freight Line, will be used to accommodate overflow crowds at Open Door on cold winter nights.
Open Door's shelter for men currently has 88 beds, says Steve Key, Executive Director. " These ten mattresses will allow Open Door to serve an additional 10 men when the temperatures drop and more people seek shelter indoors. During January and February in particular, we may have more people than beds as often as 20 days out of 30. Having these mattresses will allow an additional ten people to rest comfortably on those nights, and we are thankful for them."
For more information on Open Door Ministries, please contact Steve Key at 885-0191. For more information on United Way, please call 899-0876.
Arthur Cassell Memorial Transitional House Graduation
(Pictured Above L to R: Aaron Smith, Mike Hairston, Joseph Wise, Rick Lewis)
Open Door Ministries and its supporters gathered to celebrate the men who graduated from the Cassell House on Tuesday, December 20th. This annual graduation held at Hickory Chapel Church in High Point recognizes the accomplishments of the men in the program who go from a life of being homeless to living independently. The program houses 14 men at one time and works with residents through the stages of transition teaching the importance of obtaining employment, permanent housing and a sense of general well being.
WFMY News 2 coverage of this event
Open Door Ministries Organizes Homeless Community Dinner
Showplace hosts annual event that offers a meal and memorial
HIGH POINT – Open Door Ministries of High Point hosted a Memorial Dinner for the Homeless Community on Thursday, December 15th at Showplace in High Point.
Over 500 people from the homeless community gathered to enjoy a warm meal in addition to taking part in a memorial service honoring the 13 homeless individuals that have passed from our community this year. “This event is very important to the homeless community”, says Don Bellemore, Program Director of Open Door Ministries Arthur Cassell Transitional House. “It’s a rare opportunity for everyone to gather together at one time and pay tribute to friends while enjoying fellowship.”
The Memorial Dinner is possible thanks to the generous donations and support from several community organizations including Showplace and Wesley Memorial Aldersgate-Miller Memorial Sunday School Class. The sit down meal was served to each attendee by one of the 60+ volunteers.
“This annual event marks our season of giving”, says Steve Key, Executive Director of Open Door Ministries. “We are blessed to have so many organizations and individuals within our community who take the time to remember those in need.”
Thank you letter from a Community Homeless Dinner attendee
Read more about this event in the High Point Enterprise
First Career Readiness Certificate Awarded
Open Door Ministries in partnership with GTCC offers a series of educational classes which consist of GED classes, Career Readiness Certificate classes, and Job Readiness classes. Michael (pictured above) was the first graduate in the Career Readiness class to receive a gold certificate! Congratulations Michael!
Santa Visits Good Friends Luncheon
The Good Friends Luncheon was held on December 7, 2011 at High Point Country Club. This annual event raises funds for clients of the Community Resource Network. Open Door Ministries is a CRN partner.
Local School Donates Food on Open Door Ministries
The student government association at Penn-Griffin (shown above with advisors) take time to collect food donations which will benefit clients in need at ODM. Thank you for your generosity!
Southwest Elementary Two-Can Challenge
Southwest Elementary Safety Patrol held its annual food drive surpassing their goal of 1,600 items and raising 2,136 non-perishable food items for ODM! We are thankful for Southwest Elementary students, their teachers, and families. Their donations will impact those in need within our community. To read more about this Two-Can challenge click here.
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