Foreman-Phillips Reaching-Out Center

Foreman-Phillips Reaching-Out Center

Written by Katherine Kennedy Friday, 07 December 2007

Celebration of Love gives coats, toys and food

During the holiday season, people think about what will be served for Christmas dinner. Tom Ramsey thinks about something else: how many families he can reach this year through Celebration of Love with the help of the community.

Celebration of Love is an event that takes place during the holidays and was created to feed the hungry and help low-income families. This year, the event will be held Dec. 15 at the Foreman-Phillips Reaching Out Center in the Snappy Snacks warehouse in Pflugerville.

“We have started a tradition,” Ramsey said. “We have found a way to reach in to the community and make an impact on the lives of those in need. It grows because of the outpour from the community.”

To determine who will receive help, Ramsey turned to the school districts. Vouchers are given through the school system to children who are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Each family with a voucher receives a Christmas box, which includes a traditional holiday meal including a frozen turkey, canned goods, milk, pie, bread and more. Santa hands out toys and Coats for Kids donates coats to the children.

“We’re all God’s children. We’re called to serve, not be served, during the holiday season,” Ramsey said. “This is the most rewarding time because we come together and give back through volunteering and loving each other. This is the season of loving and giving, and we help out of love, not duty.”

Ramsey plans to expand his program throughout neighboring communities. Southwest Hills Church observed the impact of Celebration of Love, and has now implemented the program in the south Austin area. The first year, 500 families were helped. This year, the goal is 750 families.

“We hope that other community leaders will want this program. We will teach and provide them with the necessary resources and share with them the steps of success,” Ramsey. “Our goal is to build bridges across Central Texas and double to 7,000 families receiving help.”

On Dec. 12, Celebration of Love will host a box party for volunteers to help build boxes for distribution. Ramsey also operates a food pantry year-round at the Foreman-Phillips Reaching-Out Center. A variety of new food and household products are available for those in need. Unlike other pantries, FPROC does not require proof of need.

“We make the process painless by not requiring proof of need or residency. We don’t judge or ask questions. If you need help, come,” Ramsey said. “Because we raise our own money, we are not driven by money from the government. We are led by the Spirit rather than the corporate structure.”

After Celebration of Love, any food left over will be donated to the food pantry.

Last year

• 1,000 North Austin families fed.
• Round Rock ISD distributed vouchers to families.
• Hosted by Snappy Snacks Mobile Catering at the Foreman-Phillips Reaching Out Center.
• 1,500 military families fed at Fort Hood.
• 3,000 toys and 10 new bikes given to children.
• Hosted by PromiseLand West of Austin and the Fort Hood Installation Chaplain’s Office.

Foreman-Phillips Reaching-Out Center, 15630 Vision Drive • Pflugerville, TX 78660, 512-251-4800