Servias Ministries Blog

From the local grade school principal:

I wanted to share a little information on a recent experience where the Target and Crest gift cards have served a student/family in a wonderful way. Due to DHS being involved, I can’t share specifics but I can tell you that we have a student who recently got placed with his great aunt for the next 4 weeks. She currently has 3 kids under the ages of 4 living in her house as a single adult. We were able to provide her with a few gift cards to help accommodate any clothing or food needs during this time. When we provided them to her at drop off, she began to cry with gratitude. 

Thank you for providing us the opportunity to serve our students in a beautiful way. This takes the pressure off our teachers who already go above and beyond. While some believe academics is the primary role of school it simply is not. Kids need their basic needs met such as food and clothing in order to feel safe enough to learn. With you and your generosity, this is possible. 

I just received an email from one of the school counselors.  I knew that this would bless those who are able to give into Servias:

I wanted to share a couple of stories that illustrate the impact we’ve been able to make in the lives of our students through your generous support of gift cards. One story that stands out is that of a sophomore student.

He and his family faced an unimaginable tragedy when they lost their home to a fire. This devastating event left them without shelter and in a state of uncertainty. As if this wasn’t enough, shortly after the fire, his mother passed away from cancer, leaving the family to cope with both loss and hardship within a span of just two to three months.

During this incredibly challenging time, we were able to provide him with gift cards that allowed his family to purchase essential items and needed supplies. Your generous contributions have given comfort and support to this family during their darkest hours, showing them that our school community truly cares for them.

These stories highlight the importance of your efforts to support students in crisis. The gift cards not only meet immediate needs but also serve as a reminder that our community stands together in times of hardship.

Thank you for your ongoing support in making a difference in the lives of our students.

One of the grade school counselors reported:

We have a family who has been really struggling. Her car broke down and she lost her job but has since found transportation. Her son has special needs and is non-verbal plus she has an additional son. We provided her with Crest gift cards this week to help out with food. She had been going to food pantries but it’s not enough.

Your contributions have helped this family and FATHER has credited your Eternal account.

Yesterday, Servias paid off the breakfast/lunch cafeteria past due debt of 98 elementary students. This elementary has the most kids in need of any other school in the area. We are feeding the hungry so they can focus on learning.

Thank you for your contributions!

To those readers who have been able to financially support Servias, Thank You! Your contributions no matter how great or small are truly appreciated. Each month, we continue to help the kids in need at three local school districts. Virtually 100% of your contributions goes to those in need.

From a elementary school counselor we work with:

I just wanted to let you know that I have purchased 6 coats for students that needed them immediately due to the cold temps, along with providing Christmas to a homeless family (they reside with relatives, so they double up). I have given Crest cards to a single mom who is not receiving child support and works 2 jobs. Another set of Crest cards went to a single Mom with a child with special needs, I am also going to get them a few things for Christmas because she cannot afford much, in addition to some pull ups for the disabled child.

These cards have been a HUGE help to our families! The ability to go out and get a coat instantly has been such a blessing!

FYI: Crest cards are food cards from a local grocery chain.

We provided food cards last week for families in need to buy Thanksgiving groceries who would otherwise have insufficient means to celebrate Thanksgiving.

In addition, we purchase winter beanies for kids who had no means to buy their own. We ordered beanies with the school’s colors and logo as that the kids could be proud of their school. We had our first freezing temperatures this last week. The beanies came just in time.

The following is a testimony of the school counselor:

Through Servias’ ministry, I feel like I’m constantly walking around with the mindset of “Who can we help today?” Last week, I had a meeting with a parent to start her daughter in speech therapy services. This child started  here at the end of last school year, and her older sister just started last week. There had been a lot of concerns and red flags, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when mom came to the meeting (honestly, I wasn’t even expecting her to show up.) During the meeting, mom opened up to us about her struggles as a single mom, working a job making $11 an hour, not being home in the afternoons, the older sister makes dinner every night, etc. I gave her a Crest card and just told her that we can see how hard she is working to take care of her kids and we wanted to bless her and partner with her. She was so very thankful, and then shared with us that her husband took his life last year, and she and her daughters found him. It was just another reminder that we truly have no idea what our kids experience when they aren’t at school. But I also know that by providing her with something tangible to show that we care, the mom immediately felt like she could trust us. There have been things that we’ve been needing mom to do that she hasn’t taken care of- and now, she is eager to do whatever she needs to do. 

We appreciate the faithfulness of those who are able to give. We are ministering to the poor as Jesus commanded!

From one of the school counselors:

 I used some of your cards to help feed a family that was kicked out of their apartment and buy them pull ups for this special needs child. I used another gift card to buy a student shoes who was wearing his older brother’s shoes to school which were about 3 sizes too big. And today, I am sending home some Crest cards to a family whose main breadwinner suffered a stroke and cannot work. The child says the food supply is low. These cards have been such a blessing to our students and families!

From one of the elementary school counselors:

I was able to provide a student some shoes and socks. He had outgrown his old shoes and the family did not have the resources to purchase a new pair.

Thank you for your support!