Building a Bucket Ministry Extends Love to Our Neighbors in Need throughout the Community

For most of us, buying a laundry basket, cleaning rags, a broom, and a mop is no problem. But for those moving into a home, after previously experiencing homelessness, the cost for all of these items quickly adds up. Depaul USA’s Jericho Way Resource Center in Little Rock helps those experiencing homelessness take the necessary steps to turn their income into rent payments. The center also provides affordable housing, laundry, meals, showers, and access to phones and computers.

Alongside this important work of Jericho Way, it takes many hands to make the people and families feel at home in their new place. That’s where Immaculate Conception’s Building a Bucket Ministry comes in. Thanks to the generous support of Immaculate Conception parishioners, 255 “buckets” of cleaning supplies have been distributed since 2017. The bucket includes nearly 20 essential items for cleaning and making people feel at home. Settled Souls, a local nonprofit, helps with furnishings, a food starter kit, and various household goods.

Ramona Bourdo, June Parsley and Jean Zehler helped get this ministry started after Sister Elizabeth Greim, DC from Jericho Way, came to speak at Immaculate Conception several years ago. Ramona had it in her heart that she wanted to help, so she asked if there were other needs — Sr. Elizabeth said that gathering cleaning supplies would be another way to help.

“This needed to be done, and I could do it,” Ramona says. “God helps us fill those buckets. It’s just amazing to me. You can’t outdo the Lord. If you help Him, He will help you.”

Ramona, June, and Jean believe in this ministry because it provides dignity to those who are coming out of a situation where they may have been living at a shelter or on the street.

“The thought of being homeless, and all of a sudden you have your own kitchen and you can invite someone over — I can’t think of anything that brings more dignity,” Jean says. “You have your own bathroom and your own bedsheets.”

“A lot of people have a negative attitude toward the homeless, but they are just like all of us,” June says. “Something has happened to get them into the situation they are in.”

“If you have a home, you have a place to go, and you have selfesteem,” Ramona says.

The three women had never met someone experiencing homelessness before starting this ministry. They love that this ministry is a way to demonstrate people of faith doing good work for those in need.

“Being involved in this project has been such a rewarding experience for me, to know that we are helping someone,” June says. “I really can’t even wrap my head around this, to be able to help these people and get them started. They are so grateful for this. It is wonderful.”

“Sometimes, it’s hard to actualize the things Jesus wants us to do,” Jean says. “Jesus wants us to love our neighbor. It’s easy to love the person across the street who is just like you. This has taught me to love a neighbor who is totally different from me.”

Ramona, Jean, and June would love to see parishioners get involved as supporting partners of the Building a Bucket Ministry. Parishioners could give $5 or more per month to help with the purchase of cleaning items.

If you would like more information, or to get involved in this ministry, please call Ramona Bourdo at 501-831-5040, June Parsley at 501-940-8071 or Jean Zehler at 501-240-7050.

(From left) June Parsley, Ramona Bourdo and Jean Zehler organize the Building a Bucket Ministry