Today we’d like to introduce you to Debrah Nickerson.
Debrah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My nonprofit with birth in worship. November 4, 2008, after the presidential election, I was prostrate before God in worship. I heard the Lord “go feed my people”. I questioned the Lord and went to my job the next and recruited my own dream team, comprised of co-workers and friends. Today that dream team is comprised of countless volunteers from the DFW area doing the work of the Lord in the streets.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has not been smooth. Our nonprofit organization is one that is “boots to the ground” or “in the trenches”. So, with that being said, obstacles and challenges are commonplace.
Our organization name is FORT WORTH FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISH OUTREACH based in the Bible scripture: Mark 6:41 where Jesus fed the multitudes with only 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread.
With that being said, we are a small organization with limited finances. We are self-financed and dependent upon donors to help us meet the need of others. Funds are limited which is a challenge for us occasionally.
Because we concentrate on the need of the people in the streets and low-income families, our personal needs or families are occasionally sacrificed. Challenges and opposition have presented themselves in the way of lack over the last 13 years, but with the Lord on our side, His word working through us, we overcome all challenges and oppositions and meet the need of others.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business is actually a 501C3 non-profit organization that goes in the trenches to provide for the needs homeless and impoverished families and individuals suffering from destitute situations.
We specialize in GOING to where the need is, being able to relate to those in need while keeping the individual’s dignity intact, sharing the love of Jesus Christ without intimidation. In the name of Jesus, we go out into homeless camps, bringing daily essentials, hygiene, water, etc. needed for everyday living. We go to homes of the impoverished, newly housed (ex-homeless) bringing items needed to create a sustainable home life and items needed to supplement income as well. We are able to provide newly housed with household items such as: dishes, blankets, bedding, toiletries, pillows, and some furniture. We have occasionally been able to help with utilities as well. It’s easy to say that the city or programs should house the homeless, however, once they are housed, they need guidance, financial literacy, financial assistance, and social services, and even social support. It’s easy for depression, loneliness to set in when you are newly housed and do not have a phone, or anyone to turn to.
We are known for simply loving on people in their situations and not making them feel ashamed. What sets us apart is the fact that we don’t mind going into the trenches to help. It’s more than a notion to be homeless and have to walk miles for help, especially when you are disabled, or your physical body is incapable of walking for miles.
There are few different factors that set us apart us apart, but the greatest fact that is “we do the work”. We literally hit the streets doing the Will of the Lord in deed and in prayer. For us it’s more than a picture or creating programs on paper to generate funds. We actually believe that God is blessing the works of our hands. We go out into field to provide for needs, not recruiting people for a program. People are tired of programs that benefit organizations need for numbers. People need effective change. We desire to see lives changed and we are doing just that.
When people think of homeless outreach, they think of you handing someone a meal etc.
FW5L2F is providing more than a meal, but an
“Experience “. The last 12 plus months, our meals are prepared and delivered hot by Celebrity Chef Felecia Guimont of OMG CAKES and SOUTHERN BEST CATERING LLC. She delivers them “an experience” rather than just a meal. Every Sunday, the unsheltered receives THE EXPERIENCE, (hot catered meal), such as Cajun Seafood Pasta, collard greens, hearty soups filled with meats such as filet mignon, chicken or a casserole. Sandwiches are not your usual bread and meat, but rather on a nice roll or slider. When things such as hot dogs or hamburgers are served, they are grilled on the spot, on site and reserved for “fun days”.
Another fact is we treat the unsheltered as friends or even family, we even allow some of them to volunteer with us as we serve them which builds their confidence and self-esteem. We employ them for odd jobs when available. We don’t chase titles, awards, recognition, etc. we chase after God, going after the one, seeking His people who are in need and serving them. We are known for visiting them in jail and even hospitals when in need, we clothe them, and even just sit with them when they need a listening ear.
We have been blessed by partnering with organizations that are like minded such as Project Addullam Outreach who also bring clothes to our weekly outreach for our unsheltered, THE DALLAS FOOD PROJECT, who comes out and cook on site every other week so that our unsheltered frieare served 2 meals so they can store food for a few days. Phillips Wish has been faithful years in helping with sleeping bags, hygiene and new and used clothing.
We have several other partners and faithful supporters that make the mission possible. Currently We are self-financed, with donations from faithful donors like McIntosh Chapel, Caring Compassionate Hearts and Helping Hands, Love Cafe Radio Show, I AM Chosen, and other ministries like Quest for Fire Ministries and Vickie Jones who also volunteers,
Walmart, SAM’s Club, Ross Dress for Less and families like the Hemphill’s. Because of them we are able to go out and make an impact.
We partner with The Praise Center Community Church of Forest Hill who last year provided us with enough tents to provide for over 100 homeless friends at one time. Tents are our biggest challenge during the year but more so in the
We are most proud of the fact that we are changing lives while offering daily essentials, resources to housing, and mental health resources but being approachable and reachable is another proud accomplishment.
Another accomplishment that we are proud of is the fact that the unsheltered walks away from outreach with prayer, counseling if requested, a hot meal, as well as we provide hygiene products weekly, a survival kit which is a bag filled with non-perishables to provide them with food for 2 days and a hydration kit, which is a bag filled with 10 bottles of water, plus soft drinks, or Gatorade or juice. We are praying with our friends and for our friends. Our Sundays are filled with love as we maintain and respect their dignity with prohibiting volunteers, partners etc, to come out with ill intentions of photographing and videotaping our friends who are trying to get themselves, preorder for the day, week etc.
We believe the love of Jesus Christ is present while serving, we don’t limit volunteers to be of the same faith or even to be a faith-based organization to serve with us. We allow car clubs, social clubs, families, other faith organizations to come out and experience the Love of Christ and be His extension in service. Our serving is about winning souls and helping those in need.
Our COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY is a huge accomplishment for us. Since 2019, the Lord has allowed us to supplement Christmas for families and children in need. Every year it’s gets bigger and better. We partner with other ministries, community organizations and come together providing toys for children that may not have much or anything for Christmas. Last year we provided 4-5 toys per child, a blanket, a coat or jacket, school supplies, groceries and a gift for the parent. We served a community on the south side of Fort Worth, providing for over 260 children. We also filled 2 pick-up trucks with toys and did a “DRIVE BY GIVEAWAY” dropping off toys to families in another SOUTHSIDE neighborhood who were not able to attend the event. In addition, we provided toys to other nonprofits who could not provide for their registered families. This year we will host the CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY in the Stop Six area of Fort Worth as our goal is to host in a different low-income community each year.
I must mention other partners that without their help our mission would not be accomplished: McIntosh Chapel,
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
We take risks every day in this business. In homeless outreach, there are safety and health risks going into woods, homeless camps, and abandon buildings etc. You never know what we’re going to face or run into, it could be someone that is dealing with mental illnesses, drug hallucinations, fear of their own safety or just isolated and not want to be bothered. We are in search of homeless in need of food, water, connections for housing, medical assistance, mental health resources, hygiene or spiritual assistance.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fortworthfiveloavesandtwofishoutreach.org
- Instagram: FWFIVELOAVES2
- Facebook: FORT WORTH FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISH OUTREACH
- Twitter: Fwfiveloaves2
- Youtube: Fort Worth Five Loaves and Two Fish Outreach
