The Blessed Portion Ministries

07/16/2026

Blessed Portion Friday Update
Hello Everyone,

It’s been a bit since we have made a post (so sorry). Tonight was busy and many things going on. We are so grateful that St Johns church has allowed us to use an area to feed our friends on each Friday. We are always amazed that people still come out and thankful we have a place to meet with them.

For one of our sweet friends though tonight she had a rough time on her way to see us. She was hit by a car (she’s ok) and the driver didn’t stop and ask if she was ok. For our friend I think what hurt the most was the lack of compassion by the driver. It made her feel as if she didn’t matter and wasn’t seen. As we talked more with her, we realized it was also more than just that. A job she was hoping to get fell through, amongst a few other things it was overall a rough day for her. She was trying to put on a brave face, but we knew she just was overwhelmed. So, we talked with her, prayed for her and tried to get her fired up and encouraged…which I think we did for a little part.

Then our sweet little friend Miss Emerbly and Miss Ally decided we now have a girls club and I believe have decided to let Jennifer born be in the club. So fun!!!

Also talked with a woman who is so excited because she had saved a couple hundred dollars for her and her husband to go on a trip. They have since in moved into an apartment and they are loving it. We are so happy for the two of them and thankful they come to say hi to us.

We also ended our night with going to the 13th Step House and met a very nice new man. He wanted a ride to church along with our buddy Patrick so you know Tommy did just that!! Thankful we have vans to transport those who want to go with us. As usual when I walk in each Friday there is a friend who hands me fresh cup And of course pour sweet coffee bar man had a fresh cup of coffee waiting for me as I walked in (always does) and we convinced Neil and a few other men to play scrabble. While we love playing the game, its not just about that. The game lends itself to have conversation about how their day went etc….and it’s been great. We all are a little competitive, but that makes it fun. (I usually lose, but that’s ok!!)
So, all in all we had a pleasant night, met some new people, was able to take a few men to church …so it was a good Friday and Sunday!!

Thanks to Chelsea Bennett, Jennifer Born, John, Josh, Eric, Renee and Joe for the snack bags, Hamilton Church, Grace Summitt Church, Pathway community Church, Chris King, The Bixels, Jo Ann Emerick, Tina Putt, Laura Mock and everyone who continues to pray for us and our friends.

We are in desperate need of blankets because we do not have any. We also need men’s t-shirts sizes large and above, toilet paper, men’s jeans, men’s boxer size large and above.
Drop off sites are Pathway Community Church, Pulled and Pressed in Garrett . If you would like to make a monetary donation to help us buy supplies and to help pay for a Friday meal your donations are tax exempt as we are a non for profit 501 c3 ministry. You can donate online through our website at theblessedportionministries.org or mail to The Blessed Portion Ministries P.O. Box 188 Garrett Indiana

Thank you for your support we genuinely need it and are thankful for everyone!

01/07/2026

Hello Everyone, Blessed Portion Update 1-2026

Friday we were not expecting too many to come because of the weather, but again we were surprised to see so many. Thankfully Kim and Mike Davidson brought homemade chili, cornbread, sour cream and chili sauce to go with it. We also had cookies, chips and some waters, so we were blessed to have a nice hot meal and so many said thankyou and were appreciative of it.
One man as he was in the line said that he only eats breakfast (not sure why) but that he was hungry, so he was so thankful for the hot chili. Thankfully we had enough and he and everyone else was able to have seconds and some had thirds! Thank you, Kim, and Mike for always going above and beyond to feed our friends (and even us!)
Some good news is that we have a longtime friend who is there every week. He is always willing to help however we would need it and is always watching out for us. He came up right when I got there and shared with me that he has gotten his birth certificate and is on his way to getting an apartment. He was beaming ear to ear, and rightfully so. He thinks it might be a few months yet because the paperwork and list are long, but we will pray for God to speed it up. I sure hope this comes through for him, because he is so deserving of it. He agreed to keep me in the loop about it, and when he does, I will keep you in the loop.

Met another gentleman who was sharing his story of coming out of prison and trying to get things in order. It’s not easy to start building a life outside of prison but he is doing it. He shared about one job he had making deliveries on a bike. One day when making that delivery he asked the business if they were hiring and sure enough, they were. He was able to get hired and now makes 19.00 an hour and he said his life is getting so much better. He is a Christian and desires to find a home church. Sundays are his only day off as well, so if or when he feels he wants to go with us we told him we would pick him up. Such a nice young man, and we hope to get to know him better. Having a conversation at a cold table in 22-degree weather, ice on the ground, eating a hot bowl of chili while talking about Jesus and life is something we love to do!! There is something about sitting down and eating with someone that is vital—regardless of how cold it is.

So, all in all, even though it was literally freezing we were able to spend some time with our friends and heard some good news! I will say though that as I looked around, I was reminded of all those who we no longer see or get to talk to, because they are not with us. So many of our friends when we started in November of 2011 are passed away, and at times its pretty gut wrenching, but for me I must push forward. Many may not ever get a place, and will die outside, and that is heartbreaking. Our mission though first and foremost is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. To make sure everyone is introduced to Jesus and hears about how much he loves them. That’s the first and foremost thing. We have said it from day one. “It is level at the foot of the cross. Doesn’t matter if your homeless, an addict etc.… it’s still level.” It is our responsibility to testify of the one who not only saved us but who loves us and that is what we will continue to do.

Thank you to our church Pathway Community Church, Michael Jordan, Grace Summit, Joe and Renee, Hamilton Church of Christ, Chris King, Pulled and Pressed, John Draper, John M, Kim and Mike Davidson, St Johns Lutheran Church, JoAnne Emerick, Dale and Traci Bullion, Asa Yager, and all of you who donate and drop off items for us to bring to our friends. Thank you so much!

Remember to go to church this weekend. Maybe invite a friend and offer to buy them a coffee or lunch afterwards. Never know it may just change their life forever and just possibly yours as well!!

12/16/2025

Hello everyone : in regard to the Christmas bags we are still needing the Christmas cards from little Christ followers. If there are any other items that have not yet made it over to a donation site or my house please let me know. We are doing the bags this evening and need all items if possible! Thankyou again!

12/05/2025

Ok everyone i for some reason cannot edit the list of this podt so im going to do it here. for the cookies i have Sue VandeZande for 2 dozen., Jennifer Hathaway for 2 dozen, Molly Schuman for 4 dozen Amanda Carrasquillo for 4 dozen Connie Bahr for 4 dozen, Barb Schroeder for 2 dozen, Cari Mansfield for 10 dozen, Emily has 2 dozen and Jeanine has 2 dozen..... So i think we only need 2-4 dozen more!!

✅ 1. The potato chips are taken care of
✅ 2. We need more cough drops ( will have to break open the bags and get an official count so far) All provided by Deb Blair
3. Also need some ritz crackers
4. And if possible maybe 155 pop tarts
5. Small flashlights
6. Summer sausages
7. Oranges

If by chance we have extra of cookies or cards etc,... that is wonderful because that means there is more to go around. Tommy and I sure appreciate everyones rallying for this. So many have nothing and a little Christmas bag makes all the difference!!

Blessed Portion 2025 Christmas List

This year, we are again including the 13th Step House in our Christmas giving. So, with them, we will be doing a total of 155 bags. We will need all items by December 16th because we will put them together that evening and give them to our friends on December 19th.
This list can be expanded if desired. Our goal is to ensure that all bags are identical. If you cannot purchase 155 of one item, list how many you can do, and someone else can pick up the difference to make that final total. We will keep the list updated here and my personal page- Gina Burns) and you can follow along. If we get duplicate donations of one item that is ok, because that just means there is more to give.

1. ✅155- 5.00 fast-food gift cards- 100 of 155 done by Hamilton Church of Christ!!
55 provided by Cindy Claymiller Bailey

2. ✅155 All-day bus passes. I believe these are 3.00 each through Citilink all provided by Joe and Renee

3. ✅155 Candy canes-provided by Deisi Kahn

4. ✅155 Chapsticks- Bethel Christian Womens ministry &
Brenda Wigginton--- thank you both, now we can give 2 to each person. that will greatly help through the winter.

5. ✅310 Peanut butter crackers-everyone gets 2 provided by Craig Suffel

6.✅ 310 Rice Krispie Treats- everyone gets 2 Provided by Deb Diller

7. 465 Small bags of chips--( everyone will get 3 bags)

8. ✅310 Chewy granola bars- they will each get two provided by Lisa Garman

9. ✅310 Fruit snacks- they will each get 2 provided by Erica Decker

10.✅ 310 Slim Jims—They will get 2 provided by Wyatt & Emma Herbst

11. ✅775 Hand warmers-(this gives 5 a piece)
200 provided by Char Williams and Lori .
160 provided by Sheli Waltenberger
500 provided by Deisi Kahn

12. 155 Homemade Christmas cards made from little Christ- followers- (aka little children.) These are my favorite things to see and read. ✅✅ 30 cards provided by Trista Gordon,

155 provided by Teresa Lerch, and some by Emily Atkinson

****We could use now enough to ensure each person gets two so we would now need 125 more.

13. 1550 Pieces of candy—people will get around 10 pieces each. 680 pieces provided by Judy Burrell- we need 870 more.

14. 65 Dozen homemade Christmas cookies- this will give each person 5 cookies. –

* 2 dozen provided by Chris King
* 3 dozen provided by Trista Gordon
* 6 dozen provided by Teresa Lerch
* 10 dozen provided by Mary Ward
* 6 dozen provided by Stephanie Werkheiser

(38 dozen still needed)

15. ✅155 Pocket-sized tissues provided by Trista Gordon

16. ✅155 Individual drink packets (Dollar Tree has these) provided by Lisa Marie New

17. 465 Individual Ritz crackers packets- they come in snack sizes and each person will receive 3 each.

18.✅ 310 Pairs of socks (everyone will be given two pairs)120 of
120- Phillip Krause.
190 provided by Craig Suffel

19. ✅1550 Cough Drops- so each person could have 10 cough drops each. Or 155 small individual bags of cough drops. provided by Keith and Deb Blair and Charlotte birchall

20. ✅155 Pop tarts provided by Deisi Kahn

21. 155 Summer sausages if possible

22. 155 Oranges

23. ✅ out on a limb here, but we could use 155 gloves to give out as well. ( Dollar General usually carries some 6.00 mens gloves) All provided by Loren Krause

24. 155 Small flashlights (dollar tree has these)

25✅ 155 Hats provided by Gina Flores Life Group

If you think of something else that is not on this list, please feel free to add it. We will add it to whatever amount you can donate. We want to ensure the bags are full of as much as possible!

Drop-offs will be Pathway Community Church in Fort Wayne, Pulled and Pressed in Garrett, or, you can also leave items on our porch, or we can come pick the items up. If you want to donate financially you can do so through our Facebook site and website at Theblessedportionministries.org. You can also mail to The Blessed Portion Ministries P.O. Box 188 Garrett, Indiana 46738.
All your donations are available for a tax write off as we are a non for profit 501 c3 ministry. Thank you everyone in advance for again making our friends have a little bit for Christmas