May 2022 Newsletter

May 17, 2022

Volunteer Spotlight: MC Mortgage Group

In 2020, MC Mortgage Group launched a charitable contributioninitiative called "People, Pets & Vets Gives Back to theCommunity". The program supports three local charitableorganizations: First Fruit Ministries, DEGA Mobile VeterinaryCare, and Purple Heart Homes.In support of these causes, MC Mortgage Group donates $100for every closed loan to one of these three charities, based uponour borrower’s designated selection. There is absolutely no costto the borrower – just the opportunity for them to direct MCMortgage Group to donate monies to their charity of choice.

For Information on loan options, call MC Mortgage Group,Wilmington Branch, Phone: 800-970-8859,Email: info@mcmortgagegroup.com, 1908 Eastwood Road,Suite 221, Wilmington, NC 28403


MC Mortgage Group's staff serving dinner to our homeless neighbors at First Fruit Ministries' Outreach Center.  Thank you MC Mortgage Group for all you do to support our community!  We appreciate you!


Urban Missions Training Program

Urban Missionaries are Christian believers ranging in age from age 18 to retired adults who join FFM’s outreach and supportive housing teams. They serve for one year, effectively ministering to those who are homelessness  or experiencing trafficking by going out into the streets and making a home for those in crisis. This training opportunity focuses on establishing Urban Missionaries in their identities as sons and daughters of God, through whom God’s unconditional love is shared with the most vulnerable people in our community.

  • Urban Missionaries serve at First Fruit Ministries for 30 or more hours per week for a year and generally live on the ministry campus.
  • Urban Missionaries specialize in either an Outreach, Supportive Housing, or Administrative track for deeper exploration of wisdom, justice, and poverty issues.  
  • There is a monthly program fee, which includes meals and groceries, and all housing and utilities costs.

Now Accepting Applications for One-Year Program: Contact Alisa at anewber@firstfruitministries.org.


First Fruit Ministries' Urban Missions Training Program equips individuals for personal and spiritual growth while  serving the most vulnerable populations in our community. Urban missionaries receive personal mentorship, leadership training, and  hands-on exp

Sunday Family Dinner

Join us to serve at Sunday Family Dinner, a community dinner with our unsheltered neighbors at First Fruit Ministries.

Every Sunday beginning May 15

1-2pm | Transportation to campus

1pm-3pm | Showers available for unsheltered neighbors

3-4pm | Worship and prayer gathering

4-5pm | Family dinner

Volunteer to Serve

Contact Alisa at anewber@firstfruitministries.org to learn more about serving.

Seeking worship teams and / or individuals to host the presence of God through music for a time of ministry, testimonies, discipleship and a Sunday Family Dinner with our homeless friends at First Fruit Ministries.

new program launching this July:

THE GUEST HOUSE

The Guest House is a 24/7 crisis response program built with the unique needs of victims of human trafficking and sexual assault in mind. The Guest House is a soft place to land while advocates and staff work through the myriad of challenges victims face, connecting residents with resources to long-term housing, case management, primary medical care, and referrals to mental health and substance abuse treatment. The Guest House is ready and able to accept victims where they are, regardless of any challenge they may bring. The Guest House serves males, females, families, and those who are in active addiction, leaving the door open to all who need a secure place to rest, providing the support they need to get to the next step. Giving victims a chance to stabilize reduces the risk of return to homelessness, trafficking, and imminent danger.

To learn more about becoming an advocate, contact Alisa a anewber@firstfruitministries.org

BECOME AN ADVOCATE

  • Hotline Advocates: Answers the hotline available to the community and follows a screening tool to determine whether or not a client is eligible for a stay at The Guest House
  • Greeter Advocates: Welcomes the client into The Guest House. It is crucial that this person shows dignity and respect to whoever may come through the door.
  • Hospitality Advocates: Greets our new client on the morning of day one of their stay. Our advocate partners with the client for up to 14 days.
  • Meal Advocates: Provides home cooked meals for victims during their stay. Home cooked meals are a way to emphasize love and care for those who are in need.
  • Transportation Advocates: Assists the case manager in providing transportation to clients during their stay at The Guest House. Transportation will only be provided to approved destinations.

First Fruit Ministries shares God's unconditional love through Outreach and Supportive Housing with people experiencing homelessness or trafficking.

2750 Vance Street, Wilmington NC 28412

info@firstfruitministries.org

910-794-8656

MAKE AN IMPACT

VOLUNTEER ON CAMPUS

Learn how we put unconditional love into practice by serving our community.

Current Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Serve in our Food Pantry (Weds 9am-2pm, Sat 9am-1pm)
  • Homeless Day Shelter (Tuesdays, Thursdays 9am-3pm)
  • Become a Mentor to a Trafficking Victim

Register at firstfruitministries.org/volunteer

‍HOST A DONATION DRIVE

Host a food or clothing drive for our neighbors facing food insecurity or homelessness. Contact: Alisa Newber at 910-619-0345 or anewber@firstfruitministries.org.

Most needed items:


  • Men's and Women's undergarments (all sizes)
  • Spring/Summer Clothing, Shoes, and Socks (new, size M-2XL)
  • Non-perishable food items
  • Disposable dinner plates, 3 section clam shells,  prepackaged utensils, cup

scan to sign up

DONATE

$25/month:

Meets a trafficking survivor's needs at the moment of engagement.

$100/month:

Sends a team to build relationships with homeless neighbors on the streets, in drug houses, in gang territories, and in the woods.

One-Time Donation

Provide food, shelter, and material resources to people experiencing homelessness or human trafficking in Wilmington.

Ways to give


firstfruitministries.org/donate

P.O. Box 15354
Wilmington NC 28408

‍

DONATION WISHLIST:

View our Amazon Wishlist on our website

  • Sleeping bags
  • Tents
  • Bus passes
  • Laundry detergent
  • Amazon gift cards

Volunteer Appreciation Fiesta

By Hannah Martz • May 6, 2024

Adopt A Room at 5.11 House

By Hannah Martz • April 30, 2024

First Fruit Ministries celebrates providing its 2,000,000th meal since COVID-19 began

By Hannah Martz • November 16, 2023
2 million meals and counting! As the world faced the challenges of COVID-19, our dedicated team at First Fruit Ministries never stopped working to ensure no one went hungry. Through our food pantry and street outreach programs, we provided fresh food boxes and hot meals for homeless and food insecure neighbors. Your support made it possible to serve the most vulnerable among us. Together, we are making a difference! 

Human Trafficking Trends: A Panel Discussion

By Hannah Martz • September 25, 2023
WayMAker Luncheon: Human Trafficking Trends Panel
Breaking News: Human Trafficking Bust in New Hanover County

Breaking News: Human Trafficking Bust in New Hanover County

By Hannah Martz • May 31, 2023
First Fruit Ministries, Wilmington's largest and oldest nonprofit dedicated to helping human trafficking victims, has been working tirelessly to provide housing and support to survivors.
25th Anniversary Celebration

25th Anniversary Celebration

January 10, 2023
Wilmington, NC, Jan. 10, 2023 First Fruit Ministries, Wilmington’s largest and oldest organization serving homeless and trafficked individuals, is holding a Celebration Benefit on January 19 in honor of the non-profit’s 25th anniversary. This night of storytelling will showcase real stories of hope, growth, tragedy, and encounters that transform the lives of people living on the streets.

Hear from Matt Dula (Video)

By Hannah Martz • September 21, 2022
Hear from Matt Dula, a member of our, Community Advisory Board share about First Fruit Ministries' impact in 2021.
Founder Rick Stoker moved under a bridge to experience homelessness

Founder Rick Stoker moved under a bridge to experience homelessness

By Hannah Martz • September 21, 2022

The Guest House Crisis Response Shelter

By Hannah Martz • September 21, 2022
Together, We Can Do Better

Together, We Can Do Better

September 15, 2022
Existing in every region of the world, this criminal enterprise generates $150 billion per year according to the International Labor Organization. It may not be the largest numbers that surprise you the most, but rather the smallest. Seven. This is the average number of years trafficking victims can expect to live if they are unable to break free from their trafficker and the majority never do. ‍
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