The heartbroken faces of the homeless in Pasco County light up when they see
a sheriff’s car. They know Corporal Ferguson and our partner, The
Volunteer Way care about their hopeless circumstances.
Over the past few years Corporal Ferguson has seen the homeless population
double. He and Lester Cypher of The Volunteer Way decided to show these
desperate people that they had not been forgotten. Earlier this year they
began Street Grace.
The Volunteer Way assists Street Grace in giving food, hygiene products,
diapers and water to homeless individuals and families on a regular basis.
The food helps people maintain a healthy diet and the hygiene items lend
them a hand in preparing for job interviews. Often the recipients are
so touched by the Street Grace program, they begin to cry. This small
act of kindness brings hope for the future they didn’t know existed.
It All Began When
Lester shakes his head in amazement. Years ago, helping people was the
last thing on his mind. This former New York slumlord used to drink like
a fish. Then through some divine circumstances he sold the business to
his son, turned his life around, and moved to Florida with his wife. There
he began a pest control and lawn business.
He remembers how The Volunteer Way began in New Port Richey back in 1992.
The 68-year-old started helping the hungry with $35 and ten cases of food.
With our Hunger Strike Force dropping off humanitarian loads, between
30,000 and 40,000 people throughout central Florida receive assistance
every month! There are eighty receiving organizations within his network.
Lester and his wife can’t do all of this alone. Since 1999, they
have logged over 190,000 volunteer hours and have 70 regular volunteers.
Now they own a warehouse, equipment and are in the process of acquiring
another building.
“We are tremendously blessed by Operation Blessing,” expressed
Lester. “I thank the staff; the drivers are fantastic! This is just
the tip of the iceberg.”
In addition to making sure their network is going well, The Volunteer
Way opens their door Monday through Friday mornings and gives bags of
groceries to the hungry. They also deliver brown bags of food to the homebound,
clean the homes of handicapped elderly, and oversee a thrift shop run
by adults with Down syndrome.
Lester and his team at The Volunteer Way care about the poor in their
community. Won’t you join them in their commitment? There are 31
million Americans that don’t know where their next meal will come
from. Remember, $25 is all it takes to help provide a family of
four with a month’s worth of food.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Every day, the fleet of Hunger Strike Force trucks are on the road, delivering nutritious food and essential supplies to thousands facing hunger and poverty. With your help, we can continue to impact lives and give hope to those who need it most. Consider making an online donation today.
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