The church may be closed but it doesn’t stop the Streethreads team from being the hands and feet of Christ in Detroit. They recently made a trip to Central UMC in Detroit to help feed their friends at The NOAH Project. One of the Streethreads volunteers, Jim Valiquett, graciously donned his mask and gloves and traveled downtown to pick up 300 submarine sandwiches from Blimpies. All 300 sandwiches were nicely labeled and packaged, ready to transport to Central where they were made available for pick up on the lower level of the building. Clients were welcomed from 10:00 to 2:00, in groups of five, to choose a sandwich, get a beverage, and select any toiletries they needed. Personal care items including 100 hotel-size lotions, 100 shampoos, and over 100 razors were also distributed, as these are items always in need. Jim dropped off the food and toiletries, so the NOAH staff could make the distributions. They were thrilled to get the sandwiches, as well as the toiletries and especially the razors!

“As much as we were happy to help feed our friends downtown,” said Merry Beth Valiquett, Birmingham First Streethreads volunteer, “it felt strange to not be able to interact and share a friendly smile as we provided them with a nice lunch. It was also strange to not be able to gather and share the camaraderie that we usually do, as we prepare and serve the sandwiches. Hopefully, we can do that next time.”

The team would like to ask for prayers for their friends downtown, as they continue to face each day with the hope of better days ahead. Also pray for the staff at Central UMC and The NOAH Project, as they continue to safely bring God’s light and compassion to those in need.

For more information about Streethreads, click here