Feeding the homeless thanks to local support

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This article was published 05/06/2023 (703 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Members of a small Steinbach church will be able to host their annual barbecue outside Union Gospel Mission this fall, thanks to a fundraising barbecue in A.D. Penner Park on May 27.

In a reversal of typical fundraising banquets, which usually provide fancy food to well-healed donors, in order to raise funds for more basic foods and services, the group called Steps by Faith in Christ is saving their finest fare for the homeless.

Those attending the barbecue ate a simple meal of hotdogs, purchased items at a bake sale and enjoyed music in both English and Low German from the Steps by Faith and Peace River Gospel Church performers.

The homeless will be treated to barbecued chicken, French fries and coleslaw, “whatever we would like to eat at our best,” organizer Willy Hiebert said.

The event has happened every fall since 2018, but it never would have come together if Willy’s family hadn’t faced some adversity of their own.

Hiebert recalled a time where his wife was in hospital in Winnipeg for three months.

Tired of driving back and forth into the city, celebrating Christmas in hospital, and enjoying a donated night in hotel, Hiebert said he was feeling sorry for himself.

That day, his wife had a request, some KFC to change up the routine of hospital food.

It was while on the way down Sherbrook that Hiebert saw a pair of police cars parked with lights flashing.

“They were harassing, that’s what I call it, one of those homeless people,” he said.

Hiebert said they told her she had to move on during a cold February day.

“My heart just broke,” he said, adding he quickly put his family’s difficulties in perspective.

Waiting for his light to turn green, Hiebert prayed, promising God he would bring back a meal from KFC if she was still there.

Driving back, he found her in the same place, going through garbage.

While she was afraid at first, he said he had the opportunity to sit and eat with her.

“I told her I am here to not only give you a warm meal, but also to tell you in the name of Jesus I’m doing this, so He gets the credit.”

New to evangelizing, Hiebert said he surprised himself as he was speaking.

“It was like somebody else spoke for me,” he said. “We sat there on the bench and we cried. When I left there I said to God, you know there’s more we can do as a church. There’s many people hurting.”

From there Hiebert came up with the idea of a barbecue, finding strong support in his church at that time, the New Bothwell Sommerfeld Church.

Close to 200 people showed up to the first barbecue, and though they never advertise they have seen the numbers grow with 450 people attending last year.

While the meal is prefaced with a short message, Hiebert said he recognizes the food is important.

“I think it’s very important today for the non-believer to see that our words have actions, our faith is alive,” he said.

Hiebert still thinks of that first interaction that sparked the annual tradition and said he wishes he could speak to her again.

But for now, backed by other volunteers he wants to continue making a difference in whatever way he can.

“In a community like Steinbach, I don’t see a need why anybody needs to live on the street, especially with that many churches around,” he said. “I think if we put our words into actions, we can eliminate homelessness completely in Steinbach but also a big part in Winnipeg.”

And for Hiebert sharing food and sharing the Word are both important.

“I think if churches in Steinbach would put their hands together it could be great for the Kingdom,” he added.

For more information or to support the cause, the public can contact Hiebert at 204-392-5870 or email sbf.inChrist@gmail.com.