Denver Mattress Launches "Help the Homeless" Campaign

The economy has brought an overwhelming number of people to our doors at a time when our funding has decreased. The population that is hardest hit are the homeless women and children, with an average of 60 percent more women and kids coming to us for assistance in 2009 so far as compared to 2008. We have also served twice as many meals to children in May and June of 2009 as compared to the same time period in 2008. Missoula 3:16 Rescue Mission is continuing to stand in the gap for these homeless and needy individuals.

The Good News is that right now the Denver Mattress Company will give Missoula 3:16 $1.00 for every $1.00 donated through the website below. Please follow the link and donate.

www.denvermattresshelps.com/missoula

New Missoula 3:16 Thrift Boutique

Sequels Thrift Boutique is the well known store that sits on the corner of Front and Orange in downtown Missoula. Saint Patrick Hospital and Health Foundation decided they wanted to gift their thrift boutique to a local nonprofit, and we were one of three invited to turn in a proposal to receive the store. What an incredible blessing to be chosen! The store is a turn-key operation that inculdes existing inventory, which allowed us to open for business on June 2, 2009.

The new store is now called "Missoula 3:16 Thrift Boutique and Home Furnishings." The previous creative store manager has done a wonderful job creating an atmosphere of a cozy, yet stylish, women's boutique, which also included some furniture. Missoula 3:16 will maintain the boutique reputation, but the store will also be an outlet to sell refurbished, refinished, or anitque furniture - many items will be built and refnished at the Missoula 3:16 School of Christ men's residential addiction recovery center.

THANK YOU ST. PAT'S!

All proceeds from the store will support the Missoula 3:16 Rescue Mission. The store is open 10 am to 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Phone is 406-728-5538

Missoula 3:16 is addressing the increasing homelessness in Missoula

According to the 2008 Montana Homelessness Survey, there were 906 homeless people in Missoula County on January 1, 2008 -including accompanying family member, which is a 64% increase over the 2007 count of 551. Although the number of homeless people in Missoula County is probably higher than the recorded statistics, the survey provides a benchmark each year as a means of analyzing homelessnss in our area. The Homelessness in Montana Report of 2004 indicates that approximately 73 % of the chronically homeless cited drug/alcohol and/or mental health issues as factors in thier homelessness.

The report listed the following services most needed by chronically homeless people:

• Emergency shelter and food
• Transitional/permanent housing
• Substance abuse treatment
• Mental health treatment
• Case managemnt/brokering services
• Cash assistance
• Entitlements and income supports
• Life skills
• Community living skills
• Family reunification
• Job skills/self-sufficiency

Thank You

We have been so blessed by you who support the work of our Lord Jesus Christ by giving to Missoula 3:16. We realize that not everyone is called to work at the mission, but without the support of our donors, God's Great Commission couldn't be fulfilled. We pray that you will continue to respond as the Lord leads, and we thank you for partnering with us.

If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

Isaiah 58:10

Home for the Homeless Banquet

Are you ready for another heart changing event?

Mark your calendars for May 9th, 2008 - Missoula 3:16 Rescue Mission's 4th annual banquet

In the meantime, read the book and check out the website at samekindofdifferentasme.com.

Hope for the Homeless Banquet Flyer (PDF)

Call Janet Seagraves for details on sponsoring or hosting a table, or for tickets:

406-542-1312

Because you gave to Missoula 3:16

34,995 meals were served

1,323 Food boxes were given

570 Nights of lodging/men's program



New 24/7 program - School of Christ



New building and increased staff



Over 500 people were sponsored for the "Hope for the Homeless" Banquet



Over $3,000 of Benevolence help given (gas vouchers, medical, rent assistance, car repairs, special needs, emergency shelter, cars, etc.)



350 people were served Thanksgiving and Christmas meals



Thousands of pounds of food were given to Pantry Partners to help serve the Bitterroot Valley



Countless lives touched by the love of Jesus



Thank you!

Sleeping Bags Needed

Every year many of Missoula's homeless are kept alive by caring people in the community who donate sleeping bags. If the Lord lays this urgent, life saving ministry on your heart - whether it's to rid your garage of sleeping bags, blankets, tarps or tents or to encourage your church or service club to have a sleeping bag drive - please know that you may truly be saving a life. Thanks to all of you who have shown God's love in this area of service. For questions call
542-5240.