Ministry expands effort to help the homeless

Food, tents and clothing are being provided.

By MICHELLE JONES, Times Correspondent
Published December 22, 2007

HUDSON - Providing help for the homeless is a challenge that Elisha Ministries meets all year long. But this week and into the year ahead there are plans to reach out in ways they never have before.

Jeff Fries, head of the ministry, has purchased three lots at 7925 Rhodes Road in Hudson and has new plans to provide a place for the homeless to go for help.

On Christmas Eve, at 7:30 p.m., the site will be aglow with a 10-foot Christmas tree, gifts and sandwiches for the hungry and hurting and tents for the homeless people of the area to sleep in.

"Since this is zoned commercial, not residential, and it is across the street from the fire department, there shouldn't be any complaints," said Fries, who has been working with the homeless since 1969 in one capacity or another.

There are tents in woods on the back portion of the land where some homeless people have been for a while, Fries says.

"We will be adding more tents," he said. "And we have a concrete slab where we are going to put bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities within the next month."

Daily meals will be provided by a food wagon and there will be picnic tables for dining.

"We are doing this more by faith than sight," Fries said of his future plans.

Assistant Pasco Fire Chief Mike Ciccarello said as long as the ministry meets codes and zoning requirements, there shouldn't be a problem.

One of Fries' main supporters is Pastor Kerry Fitts, minister of the West Coast Word of Faith Church in Hudson.

"We are partnered with them in this ministry by providing meals on Wednesday nights (at the church at 7031 Hudson Ave.) and with clothing and with tents," said Fitts. "We are trying to reach out to people who have given up on themselves by giving them hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ and changing them inwardly."

The ministry has many needs as they try to reach out. The list is long and Fries says he is grateful for all the help they receive. Needed items include clothes, soap, shampoo, razors, hand lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste, tents, camping equipment, backpacks, sleeping bags, small appliances for the kitchen, washing machines and driers for the laundry, recreational vehicles to be parked on the land.

Donations of money are also appreciated and are tax deductible.

FAST FACTS

How to help

Jeff Fries can be reached at (352) 942-0630 and Kerry Fitts can be reached at (727) 862-7230. Donations can be mailed to Elisha Ministries, P.O. Box 12134, Brooksville, FL 34603.

[Last modified December 21, 2007, 21:21:49]