Acts 6:1-4 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
(from The Holy Bible: New International Version. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

From the start of the Church in the New Testament it was obvious that caring for the physical as well as the spiritual needs was of great importance. The first allocation of responsibility apart from the 12 apostles was for the care of the hungry.

Serving people with their needs opens the door to sharing the gospel. How can you tell someone who is hungry and cold that God loves them, if you are standing there warm and well fed but doing nothing for them? Hope for the Future earns the opportunity to tell them about God's love because they start by showing them God's love in a real and practical way. As an atheist on the street replied when a volunteer said "God Bless you" at the end of a homeless support night, "I can take that from you because you do mean it."

Hope for the Future works to meet these needs by:

• Supplying food to the hungry in The Lower East Side of Manhattan as well as Farmingdale and Hempstead on Long Island.
• Serving the homeless by taking them hot meals, food supplies and washing materials.

The policy of Hope for the Future is that all items are supplied as a gift. Those receiving help are not required to come to the church service or become Christians, however they are invited to come and many do.