2014 Year End Review
We cannot begin to express our appreciation to all of those who invested in City Gates Ministries during 2014 to help people in need. We have received and abundance from our community who makes sure that City Gates remains strong by continuing the work that God has set before us. We exist so that the love of God can be seen in tangible ways.
Christmas
The year was brought to a close with over forty five families that were sponsored for Christmas. What an amazing end to a great and fulfilling year! The Community Christian Academy and the Continuant of Fife in Tacoma sponsored several of our largest families. Local businesses who sponsored families included Parachute Technologies, Pettit Property Management, Weichert Realtors, Aircare International, Pleasant Forest Camping Club, Accountable Care (SW Washington Region), DSHS, The Lott Clean Water Alliance, Doll House Saloon, Car Pros of Tacoma, VSP One Optical Technology Centers, Land Harbor Yacht and RE/MAX Professionals.
There were also families who received gifts that were donated by organizations like The Dollar Tree in Olympia which donated over $5,000 worth of toys. These toys also benefitted our partner organizations and ministries who reached out to people in need for Christmas.
DSHS created a giving tree and donated hats, socks, gloves and much-needed jackets. Macy’s donated over 200 pairs of socks. Big Tom’s and Flesh Works continue to be an outlet for the community to drop off their clothing items. Olympia Memes is an ongoing support to us with contributions and volunteer work.
Value Village donated stuffed animals which were handed out to the children during the Albertsons fundraiser. Our community helped Albertsons meet their goal of $15,000 which was used to purchase meals for over 300 families. There was also $28,000 worth of products that were donated and put into baskets.
Families helped included Jessica, with five children who lost their father to lung cancer in November, Tammy, a single mom of three who is fighting leukemia, and Darrin, a single father of four who broke his back in a car accident and has been unable to work. These families and many others are extremely grateful for the provision that all of you provide.
Food Ministry
We are so grateful to our friends from South Sound Church who transitioned the food ministry to their church property last year. For the past nineteen years, South Sound Church has coordinated volunteers from our church community to deliver food and bring prayer directly to the homes of families. Last year, the food ministry delivered food to over 630 families. We are grateful for our long term relationship with this church. The Roots Community Church has sponsored our food ministry for Thanksgiving and purchases the turkeys for the past three years. They packed and delivered the Thanksgiving meals during 2014 to over 160 needy families. These Thanksgiving meals were brought directly to the recipient’s doorstep.
Clothing Ministry
Hidden Creek Community Church donated over 140 army jackets, blankets, socks, hats and clothes. We also appreciated the generous gift of diapers, wipes, and much-needed batteries from the Westwood Baptist Church. All of the donations received from our church partners and community continue to keep the trucks going to the street full of provisions year-round.
Street Lights
There were an estimated 6,860 people who visited the Streets Light Ministry in 2014. There are over twenty churches that shared the gospel of Jesus Christ and participated in the mission’s work that City Gates is known for on Thursday nights. City Gates Ministries served over 6,000 meals on the streets last year alone. It could not have happened without our partners and friends from the Korean Presbyterian Church who have served next to City Gates now for the last six years. Christ the Servant Lutheran Church marked their 16th year anniversary by handing out backpacks filled with survival items for those less than fortunate.
Back to School
In August, 1,100 people showed up on the street to receive prayers and there were over 700 “back-to-school” backpacks filled with school supplies. These backpacks helped needy kids get back to school with all the necessary supplies. City Gates also provided an estimated 2,000 pounds of school clothes, haircuts from Hair Dressers on a Mission for Eternity, and pro football player, Jonathan Stewart and Samaritan Ministries donated over 300 pairs of shoes marking it City Gates biggest event of 2014. We are praying for 1,000 back packs this year.
Furniture Ministry
In 2014 City Gates received over $90,000 worth of donated furniture and delivered these items to 108 family’s transitioning into homes. There were families like Debbie and her two children who lost their father to cancer early last year and then also lost their home. Through the hands of God and the love of many who pulled together, your continued financial support as well as your donated furniture helped people like Debbie get back into housing and healed and restored her faith. There was Corina, who was homeless with three kids after leaving a domestic violence relationship, who received your financial support and everything she needed to help start her life over. She said, “I can’t believe you furnished my whole house. I have never owned anything so nice.” This was all possible thanks to your financial support and many donations.
There have been so many lives which have been impacted because of you and your willing hearts to give to people in need through City Gates Ministries. As we move into 2015 we are anticipating a community that continues to work as one while we pull all of our resources together.
May God’s favor be upon you and may you also be gratified by the blessings which you receive through your giving and volunteer work to help those people who are in need.