KANSAS-NEBRASKA NEWS
Young Adults Serve the Homeless by John Treolo John Treolo
(l-r) Sam Batchelor, David Kerr, Jason Donovan, Ethan Deckert, Chanda Nunes, Melanie Donovan, and Mayda and Matt Teller serve taco salad to diners at reStart.
A group of Kansas Cityarea young adults join forces nearly every month to shop, prepare and serve a meal at reStart, an interfaith ministry committed to providing shelter and supportive services to homeless persons. Coordinated by Matt and Mayda Teller, members of the New Haven Church in Overland Park, this program started with their sister church, Chapel Oaks in Shawnee. The Tellers credit their Sabbath school class, known as Acts 2:46, with lending encouragement, support and financial assistance.
Chapel Oaks members continue to assist. “A personal blessing is my reward,” said Matt, who teaches math at Midland Adventist Academy. “Thanks to our Sabbath school class we always have more than enough money to cover the meal every time.” Sam Batchelor, a reStart employee, oversees the kitchen and supervises the church groups who volunteer. He says more than 300 homeless are served three meals daily. “I feel like I’m really helping people. If people are getting good, clean and safe
food, then they have time to focus on other things,” Sam said. Beyond helping with the meals, Chanda Nunes, associate pastor at New Haven, makes sure the serving room is adorned with tablecloths and seasonal decorations. Nunes and the Tellers share a goal of someday doing an extreme makeover in the dining area and obtaining better equipment in the kitchen. “I can’t imagine my life without service. Service is where it’s at,” Chanda believes. “Just to see the smiles on people’s faces and
the joy they show is reward enough for me.” While dining on taco salad prepared by the young adults, a 28-yearold man stated, “Coming to reStart means actually restarting my life—getting back on my feet.” A mother eating with her 4-year-old daughter added, “I’ve had some bad luck and seem to be at a fork in the road. I appreciate the meal being served today.” John Treolo is communication director for the KansasNebraska Conference.
December 2013
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