Are You Ready to Join the 2024 Fist Bump Challenge?

Quick question: Have any of you recently taken a drive or walk through the south town area of Grand Rapids? Several of you probably remember our service day at Mel Trotter Ministries and meeting many good people who were down and out without a home. Even families with kids were living in shelters. I'm not sure where their next meal would come from. 

Even though many national organizations identify Grand Rapids as a great place to live and raise a family, many in our community still struggle to put food on their tables or a roof over their heads.

Often, we comment on what a "bubble" we live in, sitting in our nice office, living in very comfortable homes, having food on our tables, solid relationships, and health for ourselves and our families. It is easy to go about our day and recognize that not everyone shares the same blessings we do. It is clear: God does not want us to go numb, live in our little bubbles, and fail to recognize and acknowledge our role in supporting others who may not be blessed like us. 

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking daily food, and you say to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? James 2: 14-16

Great question – what good is that? Can we live by the faith and not show love and care to others in need? We know we are just like you. Busy schedules, problems of our own, sports, work, etc. Not a free minute in the day. However, God always makes time for us. How do we make sure God has a place in our schedule to spend time with Him AND show His love to others? We challenged each other on this question:

"If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any town within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his needs, whatever it may be" Deuteronomy 15:7-8

With the season of giving upon us, we would like to challenge the men of Seven24 to step up to the plate and extend our collective support to people in need right here in Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids Housing Commission, through Hope Community, offers rapid housing for primarily single moms who are homeless with kids. Currently, they have 18 mothers with families who were recently homeless and are working towards establishing more stable housing.

We are going to call this our 2024 FIST BUMP Challenge. Come on, gents. It's time to stretch some new muscles on the giving/serving front. We are working on two separate opportunities.

The first is to help support the need by filling the center's "store." This is where families can come and stock up on much-needed essential items for daily life. Please see the attached Google form at Hope Community Center Event with a list of much-needed items and where you can sign up for items to supply. Once you have done some shopping, stop by BPV and drop off your items by November 15th so that we can stock their shelves leading into the Thanksgiving holiday!

Secondly, we have committed to purchasing Christmas gifts for all 18 mothers and their children living there. We are currently gathering Christmas lists for those moms who wish to provide, and for those who do not, we will purchase age/gender-appropriate gifts. The gifts will then be given to the moms so that THEY can provide them to their children on Christmas day. Stay tuned for more information as we lead up to December.

We have a lot of exciting things in store for this coming year, guys. Buckle up! So, gents, the challenge is out there. If you are interested in participating in our 2024 Fist Bump, we would love your help in any way you feel moved.

The challenge: Click the Hope Community Center Event link to get started or contact us directly.