Harvest House reflects on 25 years of service
Brenda and David Culp stand at the entrance of the Harvest House to greet people as they enter the shelter. The Culps are the resident managers of the Harvest House.
By Edward Lang, Managing Editor
Boonville Daily News
Jun. 19, 2015
It is hard to believe Boonville without a homeless shelter, but just over 25 years ago, that was the case.
The Harvest House offers a three day emergency shelter, 30 day shelter program and a 120 day shelter program for individuals who need a place to stay for a couple nights or individuals who need to turn their life around.
Located on Rural Street, not far from Sumner School, this facility has grown from its humble beginnings to now being a place where 20 or more people can have a place to stay comfortably. With the help of local agencies and donations, the Harvest House is able to celebrate a quarter of a century of service to the community.
This service would not be possible if it were not for the Cooper County Human Development Corporation, a minister from the Nelson Memorial Methodist Church and an individual from the University of Missouri Extension.
"The Cooper County Human Development Corporation (now known as the Central Missouri Community Action Center or CMCA) showed that more than 225 homeless persons had sought emergency shelter assistance in the past year. One-quarter of these 225 persons were children. The HDC had provided these persons with a night at a motel and a voucher for a meal. The committee reviewed the meal vouchers, and found that most of the vouchers had paid for hamburgers, French fries, and sodas. The board believed it was not only possible, but vital that these people be provided with more nutritious meals in a homelike setting. And, we found, we could provide these things at a fraction of the current cost," a historical account of the Harvest House stated.
In 1989, the Harvest House received its non-profit status.
Soon, property with a home was located not far from the Saint Joseph Hospital. In fact, the circa 1925 home that was finally purchased, served as a home for the nuns working at the hospital. The home was purchased for $42,000 with an interest-free loan.
Within six months the property was opened after much help from the community and inmates from the Boonville Correctional Facility.
Through the years several area residents have served on the board and a number of dedicated individuals have served as resident managers. The first resident manager was Leonard Matthews who served for the first six months of operation. The first members of the board included Mary Jackson (president), Mike Conway, Art Schneider, Stephen Cox, David Thayer, Linda Overstreet, Joann Rhoades Becker, Harold Schnetzler, John Henderson, Edward Rainey, Ginger Wenger and Rachel Dougherty.
As the need grew, so did the Harvest House. In 1996, a duplex apartment facility was constructed to provide low-cost, long-term transitional housing. A huge addition to the main home was completed in 2003, with the addition of six rooms. During this year, the original loan was paid off.
It was during this time that the home had its longest serving resident managers. Marsha and Virgil Gooden worked from September 2001 until Marsha passed away in December 2011. Several resident managers followed the Goodens.
Brenda and David Culp serve as the current resident managers. They came after an extensive remodel of the facility. "We felt like we needed to be back helping people who were homeless," Brenda Culp said.
After the Culps came to the home mid-way last year, they have served a great magnitude of people. Last year, the Harvest House served a total of 91 clients, including 18 children.
Also in 2014, the Harvest House received 31.7 percent of its revenue from the local United Way, 30.5 percent from local government grants, 14.5 percent from private grants, and the remaining amount from private donations and various fund raising events.
"We are very blessed to be located in a community that actively supports our ministry. In 2014, we received support from over 40 local and regional companies and organization as well as donations of time and money from many individuals," a release from the Harvest House stated.
"This year looks to be another very challenging year as the mid-Missouri area is still in an economic slowdown. With this poor economy we expect the demand for our safety-net services to increase. We continue to look for ways to reduce our expenses although the recent cold winter has taken a bite out of our utilities budget.Thanks to the generosity of the Isle of Capri, we continue to get much-needed prepared food left over from their various serving lines," the release stated.
The Harvest House is on task to complete the goals it sat out in 2014 for 2015. "Finally, we have just completed the removal of the old carpet in the men's bedrooms and the construction of a children's play room in the basement (multi purpose room) is almost complete," the release stated.
"Our mission statement is, 'We feed, educate and shelter people for success.' Our purpose is to provide free shelter, meals and other services to homeless men, women and families as well as persons visiting men incarcerated at the Boonville Correctional Center."
Brenda and David Culp stand at the entrance of the Harvest House to greet people as they enter the shelter. The Culps are the resident managers of the Harvest House.
By Edward Lang, Managing Editor
Boonville Daily News
Jun. 19, 2015
It is hard to believe Boonville without a homeless shelter, but just over 25 years ago, that was the case.
The Harvest House offers a three day emergency shelter, 30 day shelter program and a 120 day shelter program for individuals who need a place to stay for a couple nights or individuals who need to turn their life around.
Located on Rural Street, not far from Sumner School, this facility has grown from its humble beginnings to now being a place where 20 or more people can have a place to stay comfortably. With the help of local agencies and donations, the Harvest House is able to celebrate a quarter of a century of service to the community.
This service would not be possible if it were not for the Cooper County Human Development Corporation, a minister from the Nelson Memorial Methodist Church and an individual from the University of Missouri Extension.
"The Cooper County Human Development Corporation (now known as the Central Missouri Community Action Center or CMCA) showed that more than 225 homeless persons had sought emergency shelter assistance in the past year. One-quarter of these 225 persons were children. The HDC had provided these persons with a night at a motel and a voucher for a meal. The committee reviewed the meal vouchers, and found that most of the vouchers had paid for hamburgers, French fries, and sodas. The board believed it was not only possible, but vital that these people be provided with more nutritious meals in a homelike setting. And, we found, we could provide these things at a fraction of the current cost," a historical account of the Harvest House stated.
In 1989, the Harvest House received its non-profit status.
Soon, property with a home was located not far from the Saint Joseph Hospital. In fact, the circa 1925 home that was finally purchased, served as a home for the nuns working at the hospital. The home was purchased for $42,000 with an interest-free loan.
Within six months the property was opened after much help from the community and inmates from the Boonville Correctional Facility.
Through the years several area residents have served on the board and a number of dedicated individuals have served as resident managers. The first resident manager was Leonard Matthews who served for the first six months of operation. The first members of the board included Mary Jackson (president), Mike Conway, Art Schneider, Stephen Cox, David Thayer, Linda Overstreet, Joann Rhoades Becker, Harold Schnetzler, John Henderson, Edward Rainey, Ginger Wenger and Rachel Dougherty.
As the need grew, so did the Harvest House. In 1996, a duplex apartment facility was constructed to provide low-cost, long-term transitional housing. A huge addition to the main home was completed in 2003, with the addition of six rooms. During this year, the original loan was paid off.
It was during this time that the home had its longest serving resident managers. Marsha and Virgil Gooden worked from September 2001 until Marsha passed away in December 2011. Several resident managers followed the Goodens.
Brenda and David Culp serve as the current resident managers. They came after an extensive remodel of the facility. "We felt like we needed to be back helping people who were homeless," Brenda Culp said.
After the Culps came to the home mid-way last year, they have served a great magnitude of people. Last year, the Harvest House served a total of 91 clients, including 18 children.
Also in 2014, the Harvest House received 31.7 percent of its revenue from the local United Way, 30.5 percent from local government grants, 14.5 percent from private grants, and the remaining amount from private donations and various fund raising events.
"We are very blessed to be located in a community that actively supports our ministry. In 2014, we received support from over 40 local and regional companies and organization as well as donations of time and money from many individuals," a release from the Harvest House stated.
"This year looks to be another very challenging year as the mid-Missouri area is still in an economic slowdown. With this poor economy we expect the demand for our safety-net services to increase. We continue to look for ways to reduce our expenses although the recent cold winter has taken a bite out of our utilities budget.Thanks to the generosity of the Isle of Capri, we continue to get much-needed prepared food left over from their various serving lines," the release stated.
The Harvest House is on task to complete the goals it sat out in 2014 for 2015. "Finally, we have just completed the removal of the old carpet in the men's bedrooms and the construction of a children's play room in the basement (multi purpose room) is almost complete," the release stated.
"Our mission statement is, 'We feed, educate and shelter people for success.' Our purpose is to provide free shelter, meals and other services to homeless men, women and families as well as persons visiting men incarcerated at the Boonville Correctional Center."
Harvest House continues ministry to homeless
By Edward Lang, Managing Editor
Posted Sept. 5, 2014 Boonville Daily News
David and Brenda Culp began as the new Harvest House resident managers mid-summer. They plan to continue the ministry of helping people get on their feet.
“We have always had a calling," David Culp said. He along with his wife Brenda recently became resident managers of the Harvest House after it was closed during the early part of summer.
The Culps are ordained ministers and in 1999 and 2000, the Culps ran the Harvest House. For Brenda, her nursing job took her to other places away from Boonville, and so the couple had to leave the house.
Thirteen years passed before the Culps saw an ad in the paper where they were residing in Tipton, which detailed the need for resident managers at the Harvest House. Upon calling, they were told that the board had already hired new managers. A year would pass before they received a phone call this July from Harvest House Board Member Larry Long asking them if they still wanted to become resident mangers.
"We felt like we needed to be back helping people who were homeless," Brenda said.
They felt God wanted them right there.
"We are people, people. We get along with people. It is more of a ministry than a job to us," David said.
The Harvest House opened back up mid-summer with an almost full compliment of people. The house was closed due to maintenance and remodeling.
Brenda said some of the current residents rely and benefit off of a 120-day program.
"I think it is a real good program because it gives them an incentive to save money. It gives them a goal in life. We try to council them and tell them that this program is good for them," Brenda said. "We like to show people we care for them."
Brenda said the overall plan to help people when they can so these individuals may have a better life.
As far as ministry, the Culps will begin a Bible study on Sunday evenings. They also pray over the meals.
"We gather together and pray. But, we do not insist that they participate. We try to show the love of Jesus to everyone. We try to treat everyone the same. The way to get people to communicate back is to show them love.
Brenda said a lot of these people are at their wits end.
"Very few people want to be in a homeless shelter. But, sometimes things happen to put people there. We want to encourage them that God loves them and that they have a future. We also work with other agencies to assist them," Brenda said.
While ministry is the key, the Culps plan to be very active in the maintenance of the house.
"I like to build. I know a little about electric and plumbing. I am not much of a painter, though," David said.
"We want people to know forgiveness is the main thing. Today is a new day. What is behind them is behind them, that's done. When you come here, you have a chance to start new," David said.
"We have seen people go through a lot and we just want to be there for them," Brenda said.
By Edward Lang, Managing Editor
Posted Sept. 5, 2014 Boonville Daily News
David and Brenda Culp began as the new Harvest House resident managers mid-summer. They plan to continue the ministry of helping people get on their feet.
“We have always had a calling," David Culp said. He along with his wife Brenda recently became resident managers of the Harvest House after it was closed during the early part of summer.
The Culps are ordained ministers and in 1999 and 2000, the Culps ran the Harvest House. For Brenda, her nursing job took her to other places away from Boonville, and so the couple had to leave the house.
Thirteen years passed before the Culps saw an ad in the paper where they were residing in Tipton, which detailed the need for resident managers at the Harvest House. Upon calling, they were told that the board had already hired new managers. A year would pass before they received a phone call this July from Harvest House Board Member Larry Long asking them if they still wanted to become resident mangers.
"We felt like we needed to be back helping people who were homeless," Brenda said.
They felt God wanted them right there.
"We are people, people. We get along with people. It is more of a ministry than a job to us," David said.
The Harvest House opened back up mid-summer with an almost full compliment of people. The house was closed due to maintenance and remodeling.
Brenda said some of the current residents rely and benefit off of a 120-day program.
"I think it is a real good program because it gives them an incentive to save money. It gives them a goal in life. We try to council them and tell them that this program is good for them," Brenda said. "We like to show people we care for them."
Brenda said the overall plan to help people when they can so these individuals may have a better life.
As far as ministry, the Culps will begin a Bible study on Sunday evenings. They also pray over the meals.
"We gather together and pray. But, we do not insist that they participate. We try to show the love of Jesus to everyone. We try to treat everyone the same. The way to get people to communicate back is to show them love.
Brenda said a lot of these people are at their wits end.
"Very few people want to be in a homeless shelter. But, sometimes things happen to put people there. We want to encourage them that God loves them and that they have a future. We also work with other agencies to assist them," Brenda said.
While ministry is the key, the Culps plan to be very active in the maintenance of the house.
"I like to build. I know a little about electric and plumbing. I am not much of a painter, though," David said.
"We want people to know forgiveness is the main thing. Today is a new day. What is behind them is behind them, that's done. When you come here, you have a chance to start new," David said.
"We have seen people go through a lot and we just want to be there for them," Brenda said.
Area youth combine efforts to assist homeless
By Edward Lang, Managing Editor Boonville Daily News
Posted Jan. 16, 2015
Current and future residents of the Harvest House will now be able to have additional clean wears after the Saints Peter and Paul Juvies 4 Jesus won an underwear war against the Open Bible Praise Youth Group.
The war consisted of collecting socks and undergarments for individuals who find their way to the Harvest House. Often times, residents who come to the homeless shelter have hardly any extra clothes.
"The Juvies 4 Jesus youth group was looking for a Christmas service project. I had heard about "underwear wars" through my work with the Missouri Association of Student Councils. I knew Open Bible had a very active youth group through my friendship with Ryan and Margie Brimer who are OBPC leaders. So we decided to challenge them to an underwear war to collect new socks and underwear for the Harvest House," Trish Lutz said.
Overall, 368 pairs of socks and underwear were collected. Juvies 4 Jesus brought in 239 pairs while the OBPC brought in 129.
On Wednesday night, the items were given to the Harvest House. The youth also got a tour of the house, which serves as a beacon of hope for individuals with no other place to go.
"We hope to continue to do this together and share our faith with each other," Lutz said.
Participating in this war allowed the youth to better understand that what they may take for granted is a hardship for others.
By Edward Lang, Managing Editor Boonville Daily News
Posted Jan. 16, 2015
Current and future residents of the Harvest House will now be able to have additional clean wears after the Saints Peter and Paul Juvies 4 Jesus won an underwear war against the Open Bible Praise Youth Group.
The war consisted of collecting socks and undergarments for individuals who find their way to the Harvest House. Often times, residents who come to the homeless shelter have hardly any extra clothes.
"The Juvies 4 Jesus youth group was looking for a Christmas service project. I had heard about "underwear wars" through my work with the Missouri Association of Student Councils. I knew Open Bible had a very active youth group through my friendship with Ryan and Margie Brimer who are OBPC leaders. So we decided to challenge them to an underwear war to collect new socks and underwear for the Harvest House," Trish Lutz said.
Overall, 368 pairs of socks and underwear were collected. Juvies 4 Jesus brought in 239 pairs while the OBPC brought in 129.
On Wednesday night, the items were given to the Harvest House. The youth also got a tour of the house, which serves as a beacon of hope for individuals with no other place to go.
"We hope to continue to do this together and share our faith with each other," Lutz said.
Participating in this war allowed the youth to better understand that what they may take for granted is a hardship for others.