NOLA 2024
Family Serve goes to NOLA 2024
Dear Friends & Family,
Happy Fall! Some of you have asked if we are heading to New Orleans again this year. Yes! We are preparing now for our 18th year serving Thanksgiving meals in the 9th Ward of New Orleans. We are so grateful that many of you have served and supported us for years. Since serving in New Orleans was the catalyst to starting Family Serve, it holds a special place in our hearts. The mission of Family Serve is simple: Share with God's people who are in need; practice hospitality. -Romans 12:13. Here is an update of last year’s New Orleans outreach and what we are planning for this year’s Thanksgiving meal.
Donate to the Thanksgiving Meal for NOLA 2024
In 2023, we travelled to New Orleans in our RV and broke down (in the middle of nowhere in Texas) along the way. But, after a few long days, we were back on the road and arrived just in time to host two community events. The first we held at a family-owned gas station. We distributed gun safety locks, suicide prevention literature, over 100 copies of “The Purpose Driven Life”, and “For Girls Like You” magazines. We also served hotdogs, drinks and cotton candy. Local volunteers of all ages helped us serve in the community. We invited the community to join us for our second outreach, the free Thanksgiving meal. We were so excited to see so many of them return for the meal. Much of our time went into planning, shopping and preparing gumbo, turkey, ham, stuffing, stuffed bell peppers and all the other fixings for the meal. The meal lasted all day and despite the drizzly weather, we served well over 350 plates of home cooked goodness.
As is tradition, we gave out themed t-shirts and were busy with Bible related arts and crafts for kids and adults. Our theme of “Build Your Kingdom Here, We Pray” (Matthew 6:9-13) was represented in all our activities. Many whom attended the meal did not have family or resources, so your generous support extended hospitality to those in need. It was a full week, with many individual stories of hope and reconciliation. We thank God for His faithfulness.
Our theme this year, is “These are the Days (the Lord has made), Rejoice and Be Glad”, Psalm 118:36. We want to bring encouragement and hope to a neighborhood very much in need. We have already received donations of gun safety locks, “For Girls Like You Magazines”, and Bibles. We also plan to distribute nonperishable food and hygiene kits. We would love your prayers for this year’s Thanksgiving meal. We leave November 22, 2024.
If you would like to donate to our upcoming New Orleans trip (or other service area) you can do so at www.familyserve.org, send a tax-deductible donation to Family Serve, 2766 A Street, San Diego, CA 92102, or Venmo your donation to Jennifer McCain-2 (also available in the top right corner of our new website under “Donate.”) Since our time, travel and administrative efforts are donated, 100% of your donation will be used for the outreach.
Thank you for being a part of Family Serve’s mission to strengthen the 9th and Lower 9th ward communities of New Orleans, one person at a time.
With Joy and Gratitude,
Doug and Jennifer McCain
Family Serve
