Wanting to help the less fortunate, LifeGroup leaders Brett and Susan DeLawter started “Because You Matter,” an outreach ministry of Montrose Church, which assists the needy of Pasadena with food and clothing along with the simple gestures of a smile, a handshake and a hug that are too often missing from their lives.

Feeding over 300 people each month, Montrose Church volunteers provide the homeless at Pasadena’s Central Park with a barbeque dinner as well as sack lunches, clothing items, and personal hygiene kits. “We don’t just hand out food and put a pile of clothes out for everyone to grab,” says Brett DeLawter, “there is a sense of dignity and respect placed at the forefront of our efforts.”

“Besides providing food, clothing and other necessities, it’s important to make a connection with these people, to simply ask how they’re doing, and build relationships,” adds Susan.

This past week during Vacation Bible School, over 200 children and youth got the chance to do just that - build relationships. They not only heard the stories of people like Domingo, who have been personally impacted by the ministry - they worked together to assemble care packages that will be distributed in the park on the last Saturday of this month.

The group is reaching out to our own community to help with this labor of love. All week, local residents have brought donations of tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, blankets clothing, socks and travel-size personal hygiene products. This Saturday, July 18, will be another dropoff day in the Montrose Church backlot (get directions).