Before COVID-19 hit Michigan, Franklin Avenue Mission and its volunteers were regularly serving around 180-200 meals to the men, women, and children who daily experience the housing troubles and food scarcity in Flint’s Eastside. However, since the start of the pandemic everything changed: the needs of our under-served community skyrocketed, which has exponentially added opportunities for the Mission to share the compassionate care of Jesus Christ.
For months we have been blessed with the responsibility of regularly preparing meals for 270 members, guests and neighbors every Tuesday and Thursday, alongside distributing clothing, personal hygiene products, and pet supplies.
In addition to the services listed above, Franklin Avenue has been able to distribute hundreds of masks and disinfectant wipes which were handmade and donated by the servants at Immanuel, St. Clair and Light of Christ, Marysville.
While the virus continues to limit the functions that take place inside our facility, the Holy Spirit has been making huge waves outside as He has brought many new faces to our doorstep. People who had previously been nervous about entering into the doors of the Church are now building relationships with the servants who have stepped outside; and those families who have been forced to stay indoors are receiving front porch delivery from our local missionaries who want to ensure that the hungry and lonely are fed and reminded that Christ and His Church will never abandon them.
Again and again Jesus proves that He is the Light that no darkness can overcome. Thanks be to God!
Photos courtesy of Rev. Christian Jones
