Downtown Ministry
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| This team serves the street people of San Jose.
Participants have taken to heart Jesus' words, "I
was hungry and you gave me something to eat." For the
past decade, members of the Downtown Ministry team have quietly
provided food and encouragement each Thursday and Saturday
morning to shelter residents and walk-in homeless people in downtown
San Jose. |
| Team members purchase and prepare meals twice a week
for between 70 to 100 men and women. Physical food is serviced, and
spiritual food is offered. The team reads Scripture, and provides
counsel or prays with those who are interested. After the
meals are served, team members take time to meet and talk with the
people on a one-on-one basis. By developing relationships,
team members are able to encourage those served and often, meet
specific survival needs. Team members also guide people to
appropriate agencies that can help. |
| The Downtown Ministry occasionally funds short-term
housing needs for people who are not eligible to receive housing aid
from social agencies, but have special circumstances. Even
street people who are accustomed to sleeping in the woods or under
bridges need a safe, dry room when they are released from the
hospital after an illness or injury. Our volunteers know this
population, and can discern when a case requires special care. |
| Each year at Christmas, the Downtown Ministry
distributes survival packages containing personal hygiene items,
socks, food and note pads. These packages are prepared and donated
by SFC members. |
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Contact
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Jim Nichols
408-265-9234 |
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