Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Debrah Nickerson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Debrah , appreciate you joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.
Fort Worth Five Loaves and Two Fish Outreach serves a community that is underserved, also known as a homeless community and impoverished families.
Currently we are serving a homeless community on the Southside of Fort Worth. This is a community of unsheltered friends, sleeping in tents, in secluded woods.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I personally began feeding the homeless at the age of 16, asking my mother frequently if we could share our left overs with a homeless man that we passed by regularly. My mother was happy to allow me to drive a plate of food halfway from Arlington to Fort Worth.
Fast forward to NOVEMBER 2008, in an intense moment of worship, I heard God’s instruction to “feed my people”. At the time, I questioned him, believing that He was referring to teaching the word. But no the instructions were clear that I was to “feed the homeless”. I questioned God regarding provisions. But He reminded that if I would write the vision that HE would provide the provisions.
We have ministered to homeless since then in deed, love and sharing God’s word. Our unsheltered friends are not typical homeless sleeping on sidewalks etc. What I mean by this they do not sleep in shelters, but in small camps, mostly living in tents. They have no running water, no electricity or most daily essentials that we take for granted. This is where we come in.
Our mission is simple, we go to where the need is. Our unsheltered friends have needs beyond the naked eye, so we lead by love. Homelessness is more than just not having shelter, it’s mental illnesses that are self medicated, it’s loneliness looking for compassion in any form, it’s a desire to be heard but yet afraid to speak, it’s drug addiction often coupled with alcohol addiction, it’s abandonment and rejection.
The economy married Covid and forced families out of their homes into the streets and the streets are nothing nice. The shelters are full of families who lost it all and need to start over. Often times not being able to deal with their new lives, leads to separation. One of the parents may fall into depression and rather live outside, because he or she are not able to face their children or spouse everyday as they feel like a failure.
In this season we are dealing with those who live outside. We are leading with love, with deeds such as weekly outreach events. Every Sunday we meet in a public park, it’s a family event, not a “feeding”. We are blessed to partner with a Celebrity Chef, owner of OMG Cakes and SOUTHERN BEST CATERING. For the last 2 years Chef Felicia Guimont has blessed our unsheltered friends with “THE EXPERIENCE “, which is catered meals prepared with love. Our friends have experienced shrimp meals, ribeye meals, filet mignon, red beans and rice, and sooo many more dishes that I cannot begin to list.
There are days where we are able to serve an array of desserts. Our hot meals are nothing less than fabulous. In addition to receiving a hot meal, our friends receive a hydration kit filled with a minimum of 10 bottles of water every Sunday, accompanied by a few bottles of either Gatorade, propel and sometimes juice or tea. In addition they receive another bag filled with non perishables to be able to eat another day or two.
What is a family meal without a cookout once in awhile? At least once a year we host a big FUNDAY in the park, which includes grilling, games, and multiple organizations coming together to celebrate the unsheltered. We enlist other ministries, car clubs, social clubs and just whoever wants to come out and make it a fun day for the unsheltered.
As founder of FORT WORTH FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISH OUTREACH, it’s always my hearts desire to make our friends feel that they are seen, that they matter, are appreciated, loved and that I am here for them. It’s my pleasure to help those who are ready for a fresh start, by praying with them, providing transportation to apply for critical documents such as social security cards, drivers license, helping with first steps to secure housing, and even providing furnishings, household items and more for their new apartments.
One of the things that separate us from others is we don’t judge, we don’t force a person to listen to a sermon in order to receive a meal or assistance. The Love of Jesus Christ is what leads us, the Holy Spirit is kind, gentle and not boisterous. We offer JESUS, we teach Jesus, we never force JESUS upon anyone. We are accused of enabling. I will say yes we are enabling. We are enabling them to live and not die of hunger, thirst, loneliness, depression etc. God has given us all free will. In my heart I believe that GOD will pull our friends out of their state if minds in HIS timing and it’s not up to me. So while they are down, homeless, etc. we are here to hold them up.
It’s absolutely nothing to see me hugging, praying, laughing and talking with an unsheltered friend. It’s the least that I can do. Some are spoiled more than others, as some can call or text and advise of adverse situations and I may run to help. With limited availability we provide sleeping bags, tents, some clothing, shoes, hygiene products, blankets, camping tools and more throughout the year. Homelessness is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so there is a need daily.
Let’s talk housing, it’s everyone’s desire to see unsheltered friends housed, we get that. What we often don’t get is, not everyone is ready mentally or emotionally. A new apartment comes with new emotions: loneliness, feeling isolated, depression and the fear of the unknown. It’s not easy or quick to receive housing, so often times by the time you receive housing, you have built relationships outside and it becomes hard to leave them.
We see people receiving housing in record numbers and at least 1/4 of the, return to the homeless community daily, even sleeping in their old camps. This is when prayer becomes intense in our world, we need God to intervene, to send new friends, open doors for jobs and schooling if needed or desired.
I am most proud of 2 things, one being my only 2 sisters serving along side of me and us serving the neighborhood that we grew up in.
The other is our last year’s Community Christmas Giveaway for impoverished families. This last year we far exceeded our own expectations. We served over 497 children in our annual event, providing 4-5 toys each, partnering with other organizations who provided school supplies, coats and jackets for winter. Then provided 200 more children with toys in a second event hosted by McIntosh Chapel who partners with us regularly.
I lied I’m proud of 3 things, the last is our volunteers. Our volunteers are the greatest, they love the work, their love for others is beyond comparison to any.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think “putting my hands to the plow” built my reputation in this community. I believe in working hard for those we serve. I show up in the midst of pain, heartache etc, I’m there to lend my time, my strength, my ear, my heart and just being there.
I don’t ask our volunteers to do anything that I wouldn’t do. You may see me pulling tarps over tents to prepare for a storm, you may see me out at 11:00 pm delivering blankets, winter gear and hot chocolate in 16 degree weather.
My reputation is built on hard work, trust and supporting those in need, in other words doing the work.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
My business or non profit was and is funded by faith. When I received the call from God to feed HIS sheep, I had no capital.
We are only able to serve because if the generosity of donors.
Our funds are very, very limited. Only with the blessing of God, we are able to go out into the streets and serve His children. We depend on donors, sponsors and partners that believe in the mission that is upon us.
Our biggest monthly expenses are rental fees for storage units, truck rentals and bottled water.
Often times people assume that non profits receive big grants annually. That is not our case. We solely depend on the public’s assistance until we find an honest grant writer.
If you have a desire to bless us to be a blessing, here are ways to help:
www.fortworthfiveloavesandtwofishoutreach.org
ZELLE: [email protected]
CASH APP: $FIVELOAVES2
PAYPAL: PayPal.me/homeless52
FW FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISH HOMELESS OUTREACH – Amazon Gift List –
https://www.amazon.com/registries/go/guest-view/2X00JFQIMXQQC
All donations are tax deductible, we are 501c3 certified.
Contact Info:
- Website: WWW.FORTWORTHFIVELOAVESANDTWOFISHOUTREACH.ORG
- Instagram: FWFIVELOAVES2
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fiveloaves
- Other: FW FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISH HOMELESS OUTREACH – Amazon Gift List – https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2X00JFQIMXQQC