Ocala, Florida
There’s a picture from this past Saturday at Gateway of Hope that captures the whole morning. The distribution is over, the bread line is closed. Two volunteers, Randi and Darius, have finally gotten off their feet. The warm Florida sun on their faces, they take deep, much needed breaths. As Father James walked by, he… Continue reading Tired and Happy: The Sacred Reward of Service
This season, we remember a night long ago when hope arrived small, quiet, and wrapped in love. In a humble stable, Heaven touched earth to remind us all: you are never forgotten, and you are never alone. At Gateway to Hope, we carry that same light forward—not in a star, but in a bag of… Continue reading 2025 Christmas Message from Gateway to Hope
Most Gateway to Hope volunteers face you with a smile. Behind the scenes, our own amazing Laura faces down science experiments masquerading as vegetables. We’d like to take a moment to honor someone who would never seek this or any title, but who has earned it a hundred times over in humble service. In our eyes, Laura reigns… Continue reading “Queen” Laura; Defender of the Crisp, Disposer of the Dreck (and don’t call her Queen!)
While the rest of the state is hunting for their ONE sweater, Gateway to Hope (Ocala, FL) volunteers are on the job. Florida’s version of an extreme blizzard (a 45-degree sunny morning) might make headlines, but it doesn’t stop this team! Case in point: Jeff (Box man), Tyrone and Christine. An Orlando native, Tyrone is dressed… Continue reading “Rain or Shine… or Cold”
Tomorrow, Saturday, December 6, at our early morning Gateway to Hope food distribution, we’re turning the front lawn into a holiday choir rehearsal. We’ll have live Christmas music again, and we hereby issue an open invitation to sing along. Bring the kids and your own amazing shower voice — all harmonies and even off-key moments… Continue reading Tis the season for canned goods and carols!
Our east end front lot today appears to be a tactical invasion of mismatched lawn gnomes and suspicious stack of “As Seen On TV” kitchen gadgets… do not panic! The situation is simply this: We are helping another agency, who is currently hosting a Big Yard Sale (AKA a marketplace of gently used items of… Continue reading Friends, neighbors, esteemed rubberneckers…
Have you ever driven by a church on a Sunday morning and thought, “I couldn’t just walk in there”? Maybe you feel you don’t have the right clothes, the right words, or that your life is too messy for a pristine pew. What if church met you exactly as you are — hot, tired, and… Continue reading Our Church Doesn’t Always Look Like “Church”
At Gateway to Hope, our volunteers are the very heart of our mission. In this series, we celebrate the individuals whose dedication makes everything possible. Today, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on Caesar, a man whose former career took him across the oceans, but whose commitment now anchors him right here in our… Continue reading The Steady Hand of Caesar, Our Master of Control.
📦 What’s inside a Gateway to Hope food bag or box? • Nutrition 🥫 • Hope ✨ • Prayer 🙏 • Your love, Ocala volunteers! 💌 A note from a recipient: “This bag reminded me God sees me.” Volunteers: You’re the secret ingredient! “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
While the outdoor loading station buzzes with energy and smiles, there is a quiet, sacred space inside Gateway to Hope where a different kind of magic happens. This is Sheila’s domain. Out of sight from the busy scene, Sheila is the steady heartbeat of preparation. With focused care, she assembles the distribution bags that will… Continue reading Unseen Hands: The Sacred Work of Preparation
When we think of Christian outreach, we picture Bibles, sermons, and worship songs. A humble potato doesn’t usually make the list; it’s just a “spud”. Often it’s lumpy, rather earthy, and quite simple. Here is a photo of some spuds we recently handed out on a Saturday morning. What if this simple tuber was a… Continue reading Can a Spud Spark a Spiritual Awakening?
In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, Gateway to Hope is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin (including English proficiency), limited religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or… Continue reading Did you know…
TEFAP, or The Emergency Food Assistance Program, is a federal program that provides food to supplement the diets of low-income Americans through emergency food assistance sites like food banks and pantries. Administered by the USDA, the program purchases and distributes nutritious foods to states, which then provide them to local organizations that serve the public. TEFAP Distributions; 3rd… Continue reading What is TEFAP? Distributions; 3rd Thursday of the month 9:00 AM-11:00 AM.
Sometimes, we imagine that holiness requires a specific setting. We think of stained glass windows, soft lighting, and polished pews. We expect the sacred to be found in a place set apart, perfectly prepared and serene. But God has a beautiful way of showing us that His presence isn’t confined by our expectations. This truth… Continue reading A Sanctuary of Banana Boxes: Finding Grace in Unlikely Places
Wisdom for the Wallet & Table! Jesus taught us to pray: “Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11). This is a prayer for right now, not for next year. When the future is terrifying, focus only on today. Where can you find one meal? A shelter? A kind word? God’s provision often comes one… Continue reading Your Daily Bread: Trusting God for Today’s Needs
When you have nothing left, it can feel like God is far away. But His promise is for you, right here, right now: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18). Your value is not in your possessions or address. It is in being a beloved… Continue reading When the Bottom Falls Out: Finding God in the Struggle
Wisdom for the Wallet & Table Debt can feel like a heavy chain, limiting your choices and causing stress. The Bible offers clear wisdom: “The borrower is slave to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7). But there is a path to freedom. The “Debt Snowball” method is a powerful, practical tool to break those chains. Here’s how it works:… Continue reading Debt Snowball: A Practical Path to Financial Freedom
Tips! Wisdom for the Wallet & Table Do you look in your pantry and see “nothing to make”? Remember the widow with just a little oil and flour. God told her, “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry.” (1 Kings 17:14). He provided. We can trust… Continue reading A Loaf of Bread, a Jar of Oil: Trusting God to Stretch Your Ingredients
You’re not alone. But what if managing money could be a act of faith, not fear? The Bible gives us a key: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21). Our spending reveals what we value most. How do we align our money with God’s values? A Short Prayer:Lord, give me wisdom… Continue reading “Tips! Wisdom for the Wallet & Table”! Overwhelmed by financial pressure?
