Feeding the Needy is a ministry of St Mary’s that cares for the homeless and needy. Joanne Liaw had the opportunity of finding out more about this ministry through Jasmine Khoo, who oversees the ministry.

Blessed is he who is generous to the poor. (Proverbs 14:21)

How Did It All Begin?
Feeding the Needy, a ministry of St Mary’s, saw its inception in 2004 by Maysie Chandranayagam. Maysie distributed flyers in the Dataran Merdeka and Puduraya areas to welcome homeless and needy people to be blessed by this ministry. After four years of serving faithfully in this ministry, she became ill and could no longer oversee and carry on the work. However, by God’s providence, Jasmine Khoo graciously came in to carry on this ministry from 2008 until the present day. The ministry started off with some 30 needy people has now grown to around 100 every Wednesday.

How Is It Carried Out?
Each Wednesday, a team of devoted volunteers serving gather at 7.30 am to prepare their hearts before they serve the needy. At 8 am, this ministry begins with a word of prayer led by Rev John Layang. Packets of nasi lemak and cups of coffee are then served to the needy. This is a wonderful opportunity for the church to show compassion, kindness, and empathy to homeless people who live day by day and from hand-to-mouth. During the Christmas season, gifts, in the form of door gifts are packaged in Christmas wrappers and given to the needy as a token of compassion and grace.

How Can the Church Support This Ministry?
The Social Concerns Committee has been collecting donations towards this ministry and members of the congregation can support by volunteering their time to serve the needy every Wednesday and by giving donations.

Personal Reflection
Though many of us may not be physically needy and homeless, we are spiritually poor apart from Jesus Christ. Our needy and sinful souls find their fulfilment in the richness of God’s abundant grace and righteousness. God did not only save us from our sin through the death