In the summer of 2008 Sandie Kay Graves envisioned a ministry of serving a weekly hot meal to the hungry and homeless of Yakima, Washington.  She shared this vision with her pastor, Bob Russell, and the leadership of New Hope.  An 8-week trial run was planned beginning  October 17, 2008.  It meant finding a place and time to serve as well as means of supporting the vision.

Eight weeks has turned into a year.  A year of setting up tables and chairs in the greenway on Naches Avenue between Chestnut and Walnut and providing a hot meal between 4:00pm-6:00pm.  Every Friday night hundreds of men, women, and children show up.  The church decided their role was not one of “preaching” to people, but of serving people—as Jesus would serve.  The hope was that the people would see Jesus in these, his disciples.  In the end the disciples have seen Jesus in the hungry, hurting people who come for the meal.

And yes, lives have been changed along the way.  Today, some of those who were recipients of the meal are now serving regularly themselves.  Others have gone through treatment for addictions and are now “clean and sober.”  Others are in treatment now.  This ministry has also enlarged the embrace of New Hope as they live out the scripture found in Matthew’s gospel,

'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'—Matthew 25:37b-41 (The Message)

In this year close to 17,000 meals have been served.  It has taken donations from New Hope’s congregation, other churches, and the business community.  Thank you New Hope for being the hands and feet of Jesus!

To view a slideshow commemorating their first year click here http://picasaweb.google.com/nazarenenorthwestdistrict/YakimaNewHopeServesTheHungryWithHOPE#