Psalms 34:1-10
I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.  I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.

Jeff Oakes is known around City Union Mission as The Buffalo Man. For the last three years he has blessed us by sharing unbelievably delicious meat from the buffalo he raises on his ranch. "Every year this quiet unassuming man provides one entire meal for all the men at our Men’s center and for the families staying at our Family center," said Dennis Chapman, Associate Executive Director of Development.

"When he heard that the day we were having our All-Staff Christmas party, December 11th, was the same day he was scheduled to provide a meal for the men’s center he told us he wanted to serve staff as well. Everyone was so excited that he was coming. And then when he came he also brought an entire buffalo to put in the Men’s Center freezer. That’s about 1300 pounds of meat! It was a huge blessing, and encouragement for the staff," recounts Dan Doty.

When asked to say a few words he really wanted everyone to know that it takes a team of volunteers to put this whole meal together. He said:

I grew up in North East KC and know how rough things can be. I just always knew that God had a call on my life. I was living in a house next to Julie Vanderberg, one of the granddaughters of the founders of City Union Mission, and daughter of Maurice Vanderberg, the second Executive Director of City Union Mission. Julie talked to me about the mission all the time. I had this yearning to be like Abraham, so I bought a ranch and started raising cattle. When Julie found out I was moving she told me, "Don’t you forget about City Union Mission." I didn’t. I knew that it would be up to God to bless me and that all I had to do was to make myself available. And wow has He ever blessed me. 

But you know, you can’t do this alone. I’ve found some amazing people along the way that also decided they want to use what God has blessed them with in order to bless others as well. You know to pass on the blessings! We formed, For Him Concepts in order to meet the needs of others. The two men who turn the buffalo meat into a culinary delight are Dean Green, along with his wife, Debbie, and Cory Booz. These men are the BEST ... award winners of the 2003 American Royal Barbecue contest. They received a perfect score for their brisket! Wear Concept owners, Cindy and Dennis Todd, who I also work for, along with Gary Babb, John Russell, Nancy Powers, and other staff.

And then we have with us Rudi Rhodes and Carol Rea from UPS who brought a truck filled with canned goods and clothes. Cosentino's Price Chopper gets in the act and this year we also have Pete Spalitto, owner of Spalitto Pharmacy, who is looking at what his store can provide City Union Mission. We just want to sing His praises, especially this time of year. He’s blessed us and we just want to pass it on.

Dennis Chapman, Associate Executive Director of Development reported that the employees of Wear Concept also presented City Union Mission with a check for $1000. "They continue to pour out blessings on us.  We can’t thank them enough. It’s very humbling to meet people like this."

For Him Concepts is a ministry that was formed for the employees of Wear Concept. Their ministry statement is to help meet the needs of the inner city in the heartland.

To find out how you can reach out how you can get involved with City Union Mission please click here.