Belong Making a Difference of Its Own

The Belong Disability Ministry is paying it forward when it comes to making an impact.

Participants who have been blessed by Belong’s services and volunteers now have an opportunity to bless others with their own service. Most notably, Give Back Tuesdays.

Once a month, on a Tuesday, Chance’s Cafe crew members make and deliver 75 sandwiches to the unhoused community around Austin Street Center.

“We go out and give the sandwiches out to the homeless,” Chance’s Cafe worker Cidney Matthews said. “It makes me feel good to do something positive.”

Not only does it address a need there, but attendance at The Table—HPUMC’s Missional Church at Austin Street Center Chapel—has increased by 50% since the program began.

It’s a full-circle moment, as Belong participants use their own job opportunities as a catalyst to serve others and give back.

“Just the name of it, Give Back Tuesday. It's like you've been blessed, so you’re taking that blessing and you’re turning it around and giving it to somebody else,” Associate Minister, The Table at Austin Street and Pastoral Care Cottrell King said. “... It touches them to be able to give back, because they have given so much. And then the people that receive over there (at Austin Street), they appreciate someone coming and giving something to them. It goes a long way.”

Matthews is a new crew member but has already participated in at least five Give Back Tuesdays. Her favorite crew duties are baking, especially pies, and cleaning team uniforms.

But mostly, it’s about learning new things and being around the rest of the crew.

“We have fun,” Matthews said. “It’s fun to work together.”