​Chamber Members Team up to Provide Solutions for Homelessness

by Scott Ashton

What started as a casual conversation at a Chamber Plates for 8 Luncheon, has turned into a collaboration of Oceanside Chamber members helping our local homeless citizens.
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New Chamber member, Danielle Hass, owner of The Inspired Home, Organization, and Design brought a situation to light by letting us know that Bread of Life Rescue Mission, where her grandfather Alan Lauer is a pastor, was having financial issues that could seriously impact their ability to continue providing important services to the local homeless community.

Longtime Chamber Member, Lisa Frost of AMAZEINC Internet Solutions was in attendance at the Plates for 8, and upon learning of this situation, was inspired to help. First, Lisa offered up her skills as a website developer to assist Bread of Life in creating a better web presence. A strong web and social media presence can be essential for fundraising activities.

Lisa is also very active in New Song Community Church and their “Recycle and Restore” recycling group. The purpose of this group is very simply to use funds generated from recyclables to help people living in poverty.  As it turns out, New Song had been looking for a local charity to benefit from its recycling program. Bread of Life turned out to be a great fit.  According to Pastor Keith Brown of New Song, “We want to be a good neighbor to those around us who are in need. “ Many of New Song’s members already serve at Bread of Life and are familiar with the valuable services offered.

Last month, New Song presented their first check of $1,500 to Bread of Life at a roundtable attended by Scott Ashton of the Oceanside Chamber, Pastor Alan and Pastor Steve of Bread of Life, Pastor Keith and Teresa Jones of New Song Church and Lisa Frost of AMAZEINC. At the meeting the group also discussed ideas to help Bread of Life expand their goal to reduce poverty and homelessness in North County.

Bread of Life provides a wide variety of essential services including Sunday Chapel services, case management, counseling, housing and recovery referral service, nightly to-go lunches, food bags for working poor, over night winter shelter, clothing and bus passes.

For more information on how you can help…
1.     Contribute to Bread of Life: http://bolrescue.org/Donate.html
2.     Drop-off your Recycling: http://recycleandrestore.com
3.     Follow and Share with Friends: https://www.facebook.com/bolrescue/
4. Explore Volunteer opportunities for individuals, groups, families and teams: http://www.bolrescue.org/Ways_to_give.html
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