Special to The Answer

A long line of people gathered Wednesday morning in front of Living Word Ministries at 976 Hassell Avenue to enjoy more than just a hot meal and a handout.  Though the warmth of the building would have been a nice reprieve from the cold that surrounded them, it was the warmth in the hearts of the staff members at Living Word’s feeding program that they appreciated most.

A first-time recipient of the ministry’s kindness was among the ones who agreed. “They’re caring. They’re giving. You just feel it and it’s good,” said Brenda Roland who currently lives on the streets near the Salvation Army.

Sitting in the cafeteria of Living Word during one of the feedings makes you feel as though you are sitting at your grandmother’s table waiting on a special home-cooked meal. “I love people, I just love people,” said Mother Betty Williams, the affectionate director of the feeding program.  “I get a chance to speak to them and bring them a much needed smile and a word of encouragement.  I’m so grateful to Elder Murray for giving me this job.”  Elder L.H. Murray is the senior pastor of Living Word Ministries located on the West Side of Las Vegas.

A passion of Mother Williams for a long time, the Living Word feeding program has been in operation for over six years. They not only hand out bags of food to individuals two to three times per week and serve hot meals once per week, but they also send missionary teams to several areas of town in search of families in need. “We believe in missionary work here at Living Word,” said Mother Williams.  “Every time we go out, I’d like for us to feed at least fourteen families with no less than four boxes of food each. It does my heart good to help people.”

They pass out food to the homeless and to the hungry. With the state of the economy as it is, they’ve gone from opening their doors only for individuals who are homeless and in need of food to assisting families who don’t have enough food to eat or can’t afford to stock their kitchens.

“I’m in college, and although I have a place to stay, we’re going through hard times right now and it means a lot - not only to me, but to a lot of other people - to have a nice hot meal,” said Chaniece Williams, an Everest College student who lives in the area.

A hot meal might get you through the day, but a warm heart and a kind word can sometimes take you a lot further.  The staff members of the Living Word feeding program do more than serve plates on Wednesday mornings. They sit down, eat and fellowship with the crowd, affording them an opportunity to foster new relationships. “We show them our love and show them the love of God,” said Elder B.J. Wright, one of the associate ministers of Living Word. “It allows people to come and sit together and make a connection with other people – not just get a bag and leave.”

The ministry’s feeding program not only serves the community by providing food (and often times clothing, hygiene items or other basic needs), but it also presents them with an opportunity to give back to the community and serve in a ministry by allowing them to volunteer.

Teresa Macklin, a woman who knows the struggle of those in need of assistance, is now one of the main cooks for the feeding program.  Though she has been a member of the church for many years, this is the first time that she has participated on a ministry team. “I’m doing something that I have never done before and it’s a blessing,” said the culinary-trained volunteer. She has been cooking for the feeding program for about nine months and considers it a privilege to be able to talk to people and let them know that “everybody needs a helping hand.  We’re here for them.  I let them know I did it – they can do it too,” said Macklin.

Serving anywhere from 75 to 100 people in the span of an hour, Living Word’s feeding program partners with other ministries and organizations to guarantee success. “A lot of donations come from the community,” said Mother Williams. “Catholic Charities is a big help as well as Vons Supermarket.”

Pastor Ronnie Bell, founder of Men of Faith Ministries Incorporated, has not only been a great supporter and partner of this feeding program, but feels the program has been a blessing to his organization as well. “Our ministry serves over 500 men, women and children by providing them with shelter, and Living Word’s feeding program provides them with food,” said the appreciative pastor. “Unlike many other feeding programs, they don’t require that the people have identification or anything – they can just come and eat.  Since I’ve been working with Mother Williams, she has been an inspiration to me and to others,” continued Pastor Bell.

Beginning every distribution with a kind and cheerful word for the crowd and a prayer of thanksgiving, the staff of Living Word’s feeding program takes careful measures to ensure that others do feel that inspiration. It is not just the expertise of the cooks nor the special seasonings that make one of the hot meals they serve a delicious treat. Without a doubt, their secret ingredient is God’s love and a passion for helping people.