Meet Henry, Daily Bread client

Henry comes to Daily Bread when he is not working at his two regular jobs, one at a local warehouse and the other in landscaping. “The soup here is the best, especially the seafood. They always make an announcement when we are having seafood, because there are those who allergic to shellfish, but I’m not, I love it.” Henry, a proud Orlando native, went to Colonial High School, but dropped out when his parents got divorced. “School was never for me. I did finally get my GED, but I mostly do labor type jobs. I don’t make a lot of money, so I come eat here whenever I can. Donations are well appreciated and go to good meals.”

Henry is a former resident of our men’s Fresh Start. “I enjoyed my time at Fresh Start. I enjoyed the camaraderie and Bible studies. I stayed 4 months and was able to save enough money to get my own place. That time was a blessing, and I still come back to visit. The Christian Service Center is a good organization that does a lot of good for the homeless and the poor.”

 Click on Henry’s picture to hear what Henry has to say about Daily Bread.

 

Texas Roadhouse Humanitarian Day, April 16, 2012

Texas Roadhouse Roadies showed their community spirit in a big way today at the Christian Service Center’s Downtown office. Roadies provided and served a scrumptious barbeque lunch to over 500 Daily Bread clients. Roadies deep cleaned our Fresh Start building that houses our men’s shelter program. They also sorted out donated canned food items for our Love Pantries and painted the administrative kitchen. Texas Roadhouse is famous for Hand-Cut Steaks, Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs, Made-From-Scratch Sides and Dressings, and Fresh Baked Bread! To find one of their 360+ locations visit www.texasroadhouse.com. Thank you Texas Roadhouse.
Click here for a short video!

IOA Corporate 5k Canned Food Drive

The 18th Annual IOA Corporate 5k was the place to be on Thursday, April 12th, 2012 for Orlando’s largest outdoor office party and canned food drive. The 72 degree weather was perfect for a 5k through downtown. Over 667 teams with 13,866 runners or walkers competed in this event. Team Christian Service Center collected over 13,000 canned food items which will be distributed to families that come to the Center for help and hope. Two food drop off areas were kept busy with participants handing over the items.  Team Christian Service Center also participated in the 5k.

 Click here to watch a short video.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success.

Happy Easter from all of us at the Christian Service Center.

Since 1975, the Christian Service Center has hosted the Easter and Christmas Worship Services at Walt Disney World.

Since 1975, the Christian Service Center has hosted the Easter and Christmas Worship Services at Walt Disney World. People come from all over the USA and around the world to Central Florida to enjoy the beautiful climate and the entertainment resorts. This Easter morning, Disney Cast Members were joined by vacationers in lifting up their voices in praise of the All Mighty King. Thank you to Rev. Howard Nielsen for officiating the service, Brad Page, Disney Cast Member, for organizing this event and playing the piano, and to Cricket Lee for her soloist musical presentation.

Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Happy Easter from all of us at the Christian Service Center.

Click here for a brief video.

12th Annual Street Celebration!

 With beautiful weather, live music, free food, face painting, cotton candy, and more, the Center opened up the parking lot to celebrate with and honor our clients and members of the Parramore community, marking the 3.5 millionth meal served through our Daily Bread program. This celebration was one of our ways of extending our love to our community and showing them how much we care!

Music was provided by David Capp. Stuff the Magic Dragon entertained the crowd while Magic dancers signed autographs. The Orlando Magic also provided the Bouncy House that the young children enjoyed enthusiastically. Maitland Men’s Club provided their grilling expertise. Merry and Bonnie the clowns painted the faces of children of all ages. Clean the World distributed hygiene items.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors: Publix, Florida Hospital, CNL Financial Group, Maitland Men’s Club. Donations were also provided by Walmart, Freshfields Farm, Coke Enterprises, and Rainbow Fruit & Nut Co.

Thank you as well as our wonderful volunteers, and everyone who helped make this event memorable—we could not have done it without you!

West Orange Open House celebrates 40/30/20

West Orange celebrates 40/30/20 years of service!

 The West Orange location of the Christian Service Center had their 40/ 30/ 20 Open House on March 23. This event celebrated 40 years of service to the Central Florida Community, 30 years of service in West Orange and 20 years of service at Daily Bread. This year also marks the 3.5 millionth meal served through Daily Bread, which provides a free noontime meal to the homeless and impoverished. The crowd enjoyed the entertainment provided by Sam Painter, accompanied by his friends, Royce, Bobby and Critter. The band played a variety of songs, from country to gospel. This event also allowed the West Orange to show off the results of the new beautification project.  Volunteer from Summit Church and and Lake Sherwood Presbyterian had provided a facelift with a newly painted the walls. Bloom and Grow has provided new landscaping. The City of Ocoee awarded the West Orange Christian Service Center location a community block grant to help pay the cost of this beautification project. Many people had a hand in making this Open House possible and a success. The food donated by Wal-Mart and Publix and cooked by faithful volunteers was superb! Special thank you to the sponsor for this Open House event, Florida Hospital. The open house was a very welcoming get together. Thank you to all who came out.

FUMCO awarded Orlando’s Neighborhood Champion

Congratulations to First United Methodist Church of Orlando for being awarded the Neighborhood Champion Award at the City of Orlando’s Neighborhood Summit. The Neighbor Champion Award is given annual to a neighborhood volunteer group that improves the quality of life in Orlando and in recognition of the many unsung heroes that work hard to keep their neighborhoods a great place to live. First United Methodist Church of Orlando is one of the Center’s founding churches and has been an essential part of our ministry for the past 40 years. Mayor Dyer is shown here presenting the award to FUMCO Senior Pastor, Rev. Tom McCloskey. Congratulations FIrst United Methodist Church of Orlando.

Groups help feed homeless students over spring break

Did you read the article this morning by Kate Santich in the Orlando Sentinel talking about feeding hungry children?
Here is an excerpt :

In Orange County, where spring break starts March 26, the effort is largely driven by a food-pantry program run by the nonprofit Christian Service Center. Using volunteers and donations from local churches and residents, the program stocks food cabinets at 38 of the district’s 200-plus schools.

Two weeks ago, the center began stocking the pantries with extra goods to distribute for the break, but the county’s large homeless population will need help from elsewhere, too.

“Although I’m concerned about every child, we don’t have the resources to handle more schools right now,” said Robert Stuart, the center’s executive director and an Orlando City commissioner. “To do that, we need more donors and more volunteers.”

To read the entire article click below.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/os-homeless-children-help-20120313,0,6539865.story

Holler-Classic Automotive Group honors the Christian Service Center

Throughout the year, the Holler-Classic Automotive Group takes time to publicly honor outstanding organizations and heroes who make a difference in the community. Tonight, March 9, Holler-Classic will honor the Christian Service Centerduring the first Orlando Predators home game at theAmwayCenter. Our Executive Director Robert Stuart will receive this honor on the field during a timeout.

Holler-Classic’s Motto “Never forget your customer – Never let your customer forget you!” which comes straight from the mind and heart of the William E. “Bill” Holler, the first Mr. Holler to go into the automotive industry.

Tonight is Faith and Family theme at the Orlando Predators game. Come out a cheer on the Predators playing against the Pittsburgh Power.

Thank you, Holler-Classic, for this honor and recognition of the Center’s 40 years of faithful service to the community.

NiceSERVE at West Orange Family Life Center

Last Saturday was busy at the West Orange Family Life Center in Ocoee. A team of 16 volunteers from Summit Church’s NiceSERVE painted the lobby walls neutral beige and accented the walls cobalt blue. The volunteers also vacuumed out the thrift store. Now the lobby is fresh and ready for the open house which will be held at our West Orange Center on Friday, March 23^rd. NiceSERVE is Summit Church’s annual day of community service.

Since 1971, the Christian Service Center for Central Florida has been the place where faithful hands have served neighbors in need. In honor of the Center’s 40^th Anniversary, a list of 40 Ways to Serve has been posted on our website. #33 on the list of 40 Ways to Serve is to have a painting party at the Center.

Thank you to all the faithful hands from NiceSERVE for your service to our West Orange Center.