Texas Baptist Men launched TBM Feeding Texans on April 28, an effort to provide 50,000 meals in the next two weeks to unemployed people across the state during the COVID-19 crisis.
The ministry created its first virtual feeding unit, dubbed “the biggest feeding unit in TBM history,” to multiply the capacity of church-based food pantries and ministries across the state. Many of those ministries are struggling to keep up with demand for food as Texas unemployment has skyrocketed to levels unseen since the Great Depression.
“Since 1967, TBM has provided help, hope and healing in disaster situations,” TBM Executive Director Mickey Lenamon said. “This is a disaster that is impacting the entire state. Together, the TBM family is providing meals to help churches meet needs in the communities.”
The meals will help struggling families in major cities throughout Texas, including Austin, Amarillo, Del Rio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock, Midland, San Antonio, Tyler and Weslaco.
“In Matthew 25, Jesus says what we do for the hungry we do for him,” Lenamon said. “This is what Christ would have us do in this situation. Texans are hurting, and we are responding. We pray that people respond as we partner with churches to share the gospel in word and deed.”
Increasing capacity of Texas Baptist ministries
For the past several weeks, TBM has been working to increase the capacity of churches to meet the hunger need, beginning in San Antonio, Amarillo and Lubbock.
In Mansfield, TBM helped triple the size of Bethlehem Baptist Church’s food distribution ministry.
“Together we lock arms to uplift the entire state of Texas,” said Pastor Michael Evans, president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
One hundred percent of donations for TBM Feeding Texans will purchase food for ministries to distribute. Thanks to a generous gift, all financial gifts will be matched, doubling the number of meals a person gives until TBM reaches 50,000 meals.
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Financial gifts for TBM Feeding Texans can be made at TBMTX.org/kitchen.
The TBM Feeding Texans effort is the group’s latest initiative in a busy response to the COVID-19 crisis. Already the ministry donated 15,000 protective masks, 1,200 pairs of protective glasses, 2,000 biohazard suits and four decontamination tents to medical professionals and first responders.
“We have never seen a disaster like this in our lifetimes,” Lenamon said. “Future generations will look to see how we responded. I pray that we glorify God each day of this crisis.”
To contribute to ongoing TBM disaster relief, give online at TBMTX.org/donate or mail a check to Texas Baptist Men at 5351 Catron Drive, Dallas, Texas 75227.
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