Author: gatewaytohope

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?

Food for the hungry is a testament to God’s unshakable love, a tangible whisper of His faithfulness. “I was hungry, and you gave me food” (Matthew 25:35). The food is more than sustenance; it is a sacred invitation to encounter God’s grace.

What is sown in obedience today will one day flourish in glory, for “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed” (2 Corinthians 9:10).

“Every meal is a ministry (Matthew 14:16). When Jesus looked upon the hungry crowd and told His disciples, “You give them something to eat,” He wasn’t just asking them to share bread—He was inviting them into a divine work, a miracle of compassion that would echo through eternity. Today, the volunteers at Gateway to Hope… Continue reading Serving those who come on foot, shoes worn thin, backpacks heavy with everything they own. Some pedal in on bicycles, their legs trembling from exhaustion, their stomachs hollow with hunger.

Faith without action is empty—a truth that pulses through the hearts of the dedicated volunteers at Gateway to Hope. These selfless servants embody the love of Christ in the most tangible way, refusing to turn a blind eye to the cries of the hungry, the lonely, and the broken. hey listen to stories of hardship… Continue reading When the world says, “Someone should do something,” these volunteers step forward and say, “Here I am, Lord—send me!”

At Gateway to Hope Ministries, this calling becomes action every Saturday morning, as volunteers gather to distribute food to hundreds of families in need. The parking lot hums with quiet purpose—trucks unload, tables are filled, and hands move in practiced rhythm, offering not just groceries but dignity, care, and the love of Christ. These volunteers… Continue reading Hungry souls are holy ground (Isaiah 58:10)

Shirl’s family prepared a touching and heartfelt remembrance, honoring her life, light, and the indelible mark she left on all who knew and loved her. It was publically published and is shared here, courtesy of our volunteer Laura. Shirl Judene Edgerly ObituaryMay 7, 1935 – June 19, 2025 Shirl Edgerly exemplified a life lived in… Continue reading The passing of a beloved volunteer Shirl Edgerly on June 19, 2025.