Note that the World Missions Extension Center at 1720 1st Street NW will be relocating to Brookland.
And nice to get the story behind the buses on the lot along Florida Avenue NW.
Thanks again, Jazzy!
Bloomingdale Bites
Helping the Ward 5 Needy
For many the World Missions Extension Center is a red church storefront that blends inconspicuously into a long line of slender row houses on 1st Street NW. But for some of the poorest residents in the city the Bloomingdale church is a lifeline that provides food, supplies, and educational support for families in need. In addition to hosting food giveaways the church organizes back-to-school fundraisers, mentoring programs, and tutoring lessons for students.
The church is particularly active during the holiday season. Last November more than 530 families traveled to the church to receive free food baskets during World Missions’ annual Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway. Additionally World Missions distributed 25 shopping gift cards to families and McKinley Technology High School parents.
“If you’re on fixed income, it helps a lot,” said Jesse Howard while holding a food box of turkey, fruit, vegetables, and canned goods. Howard, who has children ages 11 and 15, has come to the food giveaway for the past seven years. “I come for the food and [worship] message.”
Last December the church gave away toys and presents to more than 700 children as part of World Missions’ Back to School Rally & Giveaway, co-hosted by the Rhode Island North Capitol Ecumenical Council of Churches. Commander Charnette Robinson helped distribute supplies dolls, bikes, watches, and digital music players to children at the event.
According to JoAnn Perkins, founder and executive director of World Missions, many people depend on the services her church offers. “The economic factor has really affected everyone,” said Perkins, adding that the recession greatly impacted the work of her church. “You know the concept of Robin Hood? That’s what we do. At any given time we could be economically deprived and at a soup kitchen. You give to people who are in need.”
World Mission data from registration forms and surveys shows that most of the giveaway recipients live in Ward 5. Perkins says that she is also seeing a greater need for church services that stretch beyond food and school supply donations, such as job-placement assistance, literacy programs, computer training, school placement support, and mentorships. “Our emphasis in 2014 is to provide training and mentors to the less fortunate,” she said.
Perkins also wants to find new ways to get Bloomingdale residents and businesses involved in the charitable work. “When people don’t give, they live a life that is only about themselves,” she said. “Giving helps the community. There’s a need on both sides to give and to receive. We need to engage with each other.” Perkins encourages local residents to participate in the youth mentorship program at World Missions.
Get on the Bus
Perhaps you’ve seen the four aged buses parked on a small parcel of land at the corner of Rhode Island and Florida avenues NW. Those retrofitted buses belong to “traveling carnival” food-truck owners the Fojol Bros. Right now the owners are working to expand their mobile food enterprise with a new business venture, Elastic Highways.
According to co-owner Justin Vitarello the buses can seat dozens of people while offering a mobile Wi-Fi internet connection. Here’s how the new business will work (if I understand this correctly): diners will be able to eat on the buses during the day, while entrepreneurs will have the option to rent workspace on the buses in the evening. Additionally the Fojol Bros. want to collaborate with artists or other food-truck companies to bring customers to new areas. Fojol Bros. expects to launch the mobile dining venture in the spring.
- See more at: http://www.capitalcommunitynews.com/content/bloomingdale-bites-11#sthash.xodzw04S.dpuf
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