How We Fed 1,000,000 Meals Without a Budget

Yes, it’s true. One million meals were served in the small town of Baxter Springs, Kansas from the fellowship hall of a small church called Trinity Worship Center over a ten-year span. No budget, but God is the God of the impossible.

Let me tell you the story about our journey of blind faith. On this 10-year journey, we learned our plans and ways were much smaller than God’s. 

The Inspiration

After inserting the gas nozzle in his tank, Steve’s eyes scanned the area. A middle-aged man was bent over filling milk jugs with water from a pump.

When the raggedly dressed man stood, Steve hollered “Need some help?

The man shook his head and began gathering his jugs.

Steve hadn’t seen a vehicle so was a bit curious as he entered to pay.

Back in the driver’s seat, he spotted the gentleman walking a block away. Pulling out, Steve slowed as he approached him.

Rolling down the window, Steve offered him a ride. The sweaty man seemed fatigued carrying his precariously positioned jugs, yet his head started to shake, before changing his mind. Reluctantly, he opened the back door, placed his jugs in the floorboard before moving to the front.  He collapsed into the seat and sighed as the cool air conditioning reached his face.

After a moment or two of silence, the man hesitantly began offering an explanation, as if embarrassed. “I lost my job and, um, haven’t found any work.  We have no utilities.  This water flushes our toilet, and we drink it.”

This incident heightened his awareness to the hardships in our community we were blinded to. It never left his mind, or heart, completely. In addition, the economy began tanking on both coasts.

The Solution

Knowing what happened on the coasts would work its way to those of us in the Midwest soon enough, Steve pondered the situation.

An idea soon formed. James 1:22 was clear – we were to do something. A feeding ministry came to mind.

I agreed wholeheartedly.

Planning to fund and operate this ourselves, we still co-founded Word in Action Ministries – in case anyone hearing about this desired to donate.

Our vision

Not desiring a soup kitchen, we wanted our family to feed free hot meals Monday – Friday for anyone needing to stretch dollars to catch up on:

• Utilities
• medical expenses
• car repairs
• fines
• back child support 

Or, to save up for moving.

While neither of us had restaurant or fast-food experience, we had common sense, and I had previously worked at a group home for teenage male juvenile offenders where I was familiar with menus serving fifteen hungry boys.

More importantly, we had God as our guide.

First, we researched soup kitchens in our areas, resources, laws, and other necessities to educate ourselves.

Not having enough money for the state licensing of our kitchen at the church we pastored, we prayed. God performed a miracle. 

Miracles

Steve and I thought about trying to sell an old van and car we had, but had tried months earlier, and failed. Couldn’t get enough money scrapping them to pay for gas on a mission trip, so we scrapped that idea.

Lo and behold, in less than an hour after praying, Steve received a phone call from an old church member asking if we still had that yellow van and Chrysler.

“Sure do,” my husband replied, wondering what the guy had in mind.

Wound up selling them. Guess how much?

The exact amount of the state licensing fee!

After jumping up and down several times, I settled down as my smile faded and I quietly said, “Oh no!”

Still grateful for this miracle, my insides quivered. I now knew beyond a shadow of a doubt God wanted us to do this ministry while pastoring. If God went out of His way to confirm this ministry, what did He have in store?

I felt as responsible as a runner carrying the torch for the Olympics.

Noticing my change in demeanor, Steve must have felt it too. “We’re committed now. There’s no turning back.” Then he held me in a tight embrace.

God continuously provided without solicitation. Word spread somehow.

A trust graciously provided the initial cost for pots and pans when Steve simply went in to do his regular business one day.

But what moved me the most was the knock on my door that came one afternoon. I opened the door to see a mom with her seven-year-old son. She proudly explained how her son had heard about what we wanted to do and was eager to be a part.

“He sold one of his toys to donate money to your feeding ministry,” she said handing me $7.

Tears pooled in my eyes as I leaned in for a hug, before bending to her son and telling him how special of a gift that was and what a big help it would be. All the time I thought about how important the widow’s mite was and how Jesus said we were led by children.

I never forgot that moment throughout the ten years and one million meals this ministry served.

The Journey

In the beginning, my family fed fifteen to twenty meals per night with another family willing to fill in. Three weeks later, someone from a nearby town spread the word of what we were doing. Volunteers trickled in, and the amount of meals served grew.

Overhearing a woman speak aloud how much she enjoyed having hamburger in her Hamburger Helper during our first week, made my heart swell with gladness for obeying the Lord.

At its peak, 300 volunteers from eleven local churches and other organizations, as well as caring individuals from the community, prepared over 5,000 meals a month. One night might serve 300 meals, and the next 500.

As the needs grew, so did God’s provisions:

• A commercial stove was donated
• A Men’s Church group knocked out kitchen walls to expand its size
• Another church group painted and bought shelving
• A 3-kitchen sink system was donated
• Youth travelled each year from hundreds of miles away to clean, paint, organize, and experience the ins and outs of this ministry
• Volunteers donated cooking items and/or checks

All denominations worked together with us. Religious and civic organizations helped in one way or another. Local stores donated items, helped send those needing our assistance to us, and offered sale prices when possible.

Let’s Eat

Every weeknight, my husband would have the meat laid out for our volunteers, or himself, two hours before time to serve. He assisted and directed volunteers.

I missed not being in the kitchen but once the amount of people in the kitchen grew, I couldn’t function with limited to no sight.

My role changed. I organized, problem-solved, found resources, and coordinated volunteers. I mostly ministered to those as they came in, but I also assisted volunteers in finding what products they were seeking.

When food was ready, a devotion and prayer was given before people formed a line and walked through a serving line where they received hot, balanced meals with a drink and often a dessert. All were greeted with a warm smile.

Servers then filled their own plates and ate among our guest to get to know their needs better before tackling the dishes and other clean-up. Frequently, guests took initiative and joined the volunteers to work side-by-side.

As a result of these practices, housing the homeless, job assistance, and utility assistance became part of the ministry’s expansion – all accomplished through God’s supernatural provision!

The impact?

Lives were touched!

1. Excited pastors reported how congregants were more eager to open their Bibles and demonstrated servitude during church more often. No one could’ve seen this coming.

2. From one of the youth groups who came to us as an outreach, an inspired student birthed their own version of feeding people.
3. Every year, at least one couple or family would get saved and get involved in our church also.

4. According to a nurse, a dialysis patient who was dying of malnutrition, had been sent to their unit. Someone heard of our ministry, and she was added to our delivery route. Within months, this woman no longer needed their services. She was no longer malnourished, which was the original cause. AND to think we might not have ever known.

Holidays

Having Thanksgiving food on Thanksgiving Day meant so much to so many. October kicked off the purchasing of food – cooking occupied the entire week before Thanksgiving.

The first Thanksgiving we invited all to dine-in. However, a volunteer offered to make deliveries, so we made flyers and passed out to Senior and low-income housing. 167 meals were served because we wanted them to have leftovers.

After this, a new volunteer offered to do deliveries every night, so expansion began. Several elderly people who had trouble cooking or were on Meals on Wheels joined our list. Several had transportation issues also.

To me, Thanksgiving was more special than Christmas. Every person was truly thankful. They delighted on a feast of turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, dressing, green bean casserole, corn, deviled eggs, a roll, and pumpkin pie.

It did take some talent to stack all that food in carry-out trays and not spill.

I took delivery orders and carry-outs starting our second year. Many phoned wondering if it was too late. They hung on in hopes some family member would either invite them or be willing to come and eat. Our meals allowed precious family time that might have otherwise been missed.

More tears were shed from gratitude than I ever had witnessed in my life. Delivery drivers shared similar responses.

As time went by we fed 300 meals, rising to over 700. We also showed gratitude to employees working at local stores on Thanksgiving who were sacrificing.

Forever imprinted on my mind will be not knowing who all would volunteer on this special holiday yet watching the right amount showing up at varying intervals, stepping in as if following a cue in a play, going to their assigned destination – except there wasn’t one.

Only God could orchestrate something so smooth year after year.

There was no stress in the air. But the banging of pots and pans, laughter, shouts of commands, and the rustling of moving feet could be heard. We had joy. We had fun!

Christmas had a special feel too, but not as hectic. Decorations were perched on the tables and special gifts were passed out after dinner, before guests retired to the sanctuary for a Christmas program.

I had forgotten how some populations were overlooked at Christmas until our parties. I was surprised by comments like, “This is the only present I’ll get this year.”

None would have been possible without people responding to God’s tugging on hearts and obedience, nor Steve’s.

Even though I can’t see in the natural, it’s amazing to witness so many miracles of generosity, provision, spiritual growth, salvations and transformation of human lives, poverty decrease, compassion and kindness increase.

What could God do through you if you heard His voice, obeyed, and trusted Him on a journey of the unknown?

God equipped us and guided our every step the way Steve guides me when I don’t know where I’m going.  Blindness and helping others through our ministry has given me a clearer understanding of the scripture, “walk by faith; not by sight, which I teach in my book, “Illogical Faith in a Logical World”. Feel free to purchase and study it here.

Miracles are waiting so you can grow, and God can be glorified!

JUMP IN – What jumped out at you? Tell us in the comments and share with your friends.

© 2026, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.