Dish-Houston

Hank Rush, Star of Hope President and CEO, has announced that the Mission’s SUMMER OF HOPE initiative continues with a “Hot Weather Alert” because of the extreme heat. The Mission’s HOPE-IN-ACTION van departed the Men’s Center at 8:45 AM this morning loaded with bottled water. Multiple times a week the outreach van visits areas frequented by homeless men and women, distributing water and encouraging the street homeless to seek shelter at the Star of Hope.

Star of Hope has received 38.000 bottles of water donated by the I Am Waters Foundation. I Am Waters foundation was created by Houstonian Elena Davis to enrich the lives of America’s homeless by providing a continuous source of fresh, clean bottled water, delivered with a daily, inspirational message of hope, love and a sense of belonging to the greater community. Star of Hope expects to distribute about 1,500 bottles of water a week to shelter clients and street homeless.

With daytime temperatures predicted to surpass 100 degrees this weekend, the downtown Men’s Development Center and the Women and Family Emergency Shelter, both over capacity with record numbers, are encouraging all resident guests to stay inside. The two shelters have set up areas offering cold water to anyone requesting it.

In addition, the Mission has put out a call for financial assistance.

“Traditionally the summer time is when our population increases and our donations decrease. We can use some immediate help to insure that this will be a SUMMER OF HOPE for Houston’s suffering homeless,” said Rush.

Typically, Star of Hope, a faith based mission, offers food, shelter, education, spiritual direction and structured recovery programs to about 1,150 homeless men, women, and children each day. 

Summer is usually a time of being carefree, relaxed, taking vacations, not having a care in the world. That is not reality for a lot of people. Homelessness is still a very real problem in Summer, especially in Houston. There are news stories everywhere how Houston is booming with jobs so people will come down with their families to look for work and end up in the shelter because the jobs aren't the right ones or have been filled because there are hundreds applying for the same one job. The kids are out of school so they are eating more meals at the shelter daily than during the school year.

At the Star of Hope's Women and Family Center one evening this week there were 106 women and children sleeping on pallets on the floor because the 296 beds have been filled for 3 years. Yes, the homeless shelter has been over capacity for over 3 years.
When these folks wake up they don't have anything. That is where you come in.

Help make this a Summer of Hope for those who need just a little hope. Start them off right with a toothbrush, soap, a hair brush, toothpaste. All of these things we take for granted they don't have everyday.

You can help, and it doesn't take much. A small financial donation, a food donation or a goods donation goes a very long way in the world of someone who doesn't have anything. Can you imagine not even having a toothbrush?

Give Hope today...CLICK HERE to make a positive difference in someone's life.

That's a whole lot of turkey! And it's a HUGE, wonderful gift for the Houston Food Bank thanks to Randalls! In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Randalls Food Markets donated 1,500 turkeys to the Houston Food Bank for distribution via 15 of their local hunger relief member agencies to families at risk for hunger in our community.  These turkeys are the equivalent to approximately 15,000 pounds of turkey, which is more than 28,000 protein-rich servings!!

Pictured:  Randalls Food Markets President Paul McTavish (left) and Houston Food Bank President/CEO Brian Greene. 

Volunteers from Open Door Mission and McTavish and Greene helped load the donated turkeys into agency vehicles.

DISHIES, Here's why we need to support organisations like Houston Food Bank and Star of Hope Mission...

Hunger Statistics: 

                • 865,000 unique individuals require assistance from HFB annually

• Nearly 900,000 people live in poverty in our 18-county area (15% of the population)

• One in four children in Harris County lives at or below poverty level

• 137,000 different people are fed each week with the help of Houston Food Bank.

• 47% of the hungry in Southeast Texas are children

• 94% of individuals needing food assistance are not homeless

• Nearly half of households in need have at least one working adult

CLICK HERE to help Houston Food Bank  Star of Hope Mission

This weekend is the 2nd Annual Noah's Kitchen Chili Cookoff!

It will all take place from Noon – 6PM and tickets are only $10 at the door! It's happening in one of the neatest places on Washing Ave...The Garden at Hughes Hangar (formerly Washington Grill)

This is a family friendly chili competition so bring the kids and be ready for a taste bud treat!  There will be raffle prizes, a bake sale, local music acts and, of course, some of the best chili in Houston that will be judged by a prestigious culinary panel from the Houston area. 

Funds raised will benefit Noah's Kitchen, a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Noah's Kitchen provides the less fortunate with food, gently used clothing, and the resources that will help them in finding medical help, shelter, employment, and eventually housing- getting them off the streets. We currently crowd-sources donations, labor, and delivery vehicles on Sunday afternoons/evenings and other random days during the week as well. Anyone is encouraged to share their time with us, and volunteers are always welcome! This website and blog was created so those of you with an interest would be able to follow our progress from a dream and beyond.

#SLGT ~Support Local Grow Together~

For more information on the Chili Cook Off CLICK HERE

See you there, DISHIES!

Residents of the Historic Houston Heights continue to make history this Friday night, December 3rd, as they host their annual Holiday on 19Th Street event. This special evening has been  a Houston area highlight for more than two decades amid a festive atmosphere filled with shopping bargains, refreshments, Santa, carolers and much more. "It's like spending time inside an old traditional post card," said one shopper from last year, "everyone is full of the Christmas Cheer and there’s a lot to see - antiques, clothing, books, original artwork and so many unique gifts." The opportunity to Sip, Shop and Stroll down 19TH Street starts at 6 PM and ends at 10 PM.

But this year is extra special. The 19Th Street Merchant's Association has chosen to give as well as receive. According to Merchant's spokesman and shop owner Dan Long, "We are aware of the growing homeless problem in Houston - this Christmas, more children will be homeless than ever before. So we've decided to help." he said.

And with that, 19TH Street created a miracle of giving. This year, visitors will be given the opportunity to Shop AND DROP for the Star of Hope Homeless Mission. Customers are encouraged to bring a new or gently worn blanket or a new toy to any of the participating 19Th Street merchants and DROP it into the donation box while they shop. In addition, some merchants will be offering discounts or free gifts for the donation - and many will give a portion of the December 3rd proceeds to the Star of Hope Mission.  

The Star of Hope reaches out to about 1,000 homeless men, women and children EVERY DAY. To donate or for more information, visit sohmission.org.