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Buckets of Love outreach ministry helps the homeless and others in need
outreach ministry helps the homeless and others in need
By LINDA M. LINONIS
COLUMBIANA
Examples of his father helping homeless people left a lasting impression on the Rev. James Beach, who founded Buckets of Love more than a decade ago.
The outreach ministry continues that legacy.
The late LeRoy Beach wasn’t a minister or social worker – he was a steelworker at U.S. Steel. “He was a compassionate man,” Pastor Beach said. “We often had strangers at Thanksgiving dinner who my dad invited.”
On a personal note, Pastor Beach said his late brother, who had mental-health and addiction issues, was homeless. “He pushed a grocery cart with his belongings in it,” the minister said of his sibling who lived in California. After his brother was hit by a car, Pastor Beach reconnected with him by phone. His brother later died of cancer.
Pastor Beach said the Buckets of Love project, which he runs out of his Columbiana home, has two goals: to provide practical items to homeless people, and to educate church and community organizations on how to help.
In addition to his personal experiences, Pastor Beach brings a background in service to the homeless and those in need. From 1985 to 1998, he was assistant director of Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley in Youngstown and is a former director of The Way Station, where he established the Direct Assistance Program and Eight Ways to Truly Help the Homeless. In 1995, Pastor Beach worked on the Welfare to Work program and shared results
with the U.S. Congress. He now works part-time at Help Hotline Crisis Center as a community-outreach worker for homeless.
Pastor Beach said his approach is to “hit with the heart.” By that he means, “sharing love and compassion. I share God’s word of love for them and try to pass that on.” He continued that he offers a hand in friendship.
The minister said the bucket project “involves churches getting outside their walls.” He said churches of all denominations in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties have helped in Buckets of Love. Pastor Beach has a Power Point presentation he gives about homelessness to help people better understand the problem and how to help.
Recently, Pastor Beach gave a presentation on Buckets of Love to children in Hubbard Community Vacation Bible School. He said it gives them the “pay it forward” suggestion to help the homeless and others in need.
The idea for the buckets came from the homeless themselves. Pastor Beach said he noticed some people used buckets to carry and store things and as seats. Then it dawned on him he could use buckets as containers to provide needed items, and a homeless person would have the bucket to use. “They call me ‘the bucket man,’” Pastor Beach said of the homeless who are helped.
As for what goes in the bucket, Pastor Beach said he emphasizes practical and helpful items. “I want to convey to people who want to help what the actual needs of the homeless are,” he said. “Water is like gold, and extra socks are always needed.”
Pastor Beach said he also noticed a simple thing. Canned goods were often given in care packages but provided no way to open them. So, a can opener is a must to include. A flashlight also is a needed item and extra batteries are essential.