Serving faith with food

Fifteen years ago, a man named Don Williams began feeding the homeless in Birmingham under the interstate bridges. More than a decade later, that effort has moved out from under bridges, but it continues through Bridge Builders and the work of volunteers.

In October 2013, Williams reached out to the pastor of Trussville First United Methodist Church asking for help. The pastor then reached out to church members, and Cindy and Bill Nielsen felt a pull to help.

“We were not doing anything outside the church walls, and when our pastor mentioned this need, both Bill and I thought this was something that we could do together,” said Cindy Nielsen. 

She now leads Bridge Builders, which partners Church of the Reconciler to serve Birmingham’s homeless population. Her husband also serves in the ministry.

Cindy Nielsen said she had little knowledge on where to begin on this quest, but as a retired educator, she had the gift of compassion. Her husband, a former pastor of Smoke Rise in Hayden, also felt a calling to serve, she said.

“I have learned a lot,” she said. “Bridge Builders has blessed me so much.”

In its beginnings, Bridge Builders provided evening meals to between 75 and 100 individuals who were homeless and beneath the city’s bridges. Members of the ministry would bring tables to set up under the bridge, but eventually, they had to move to a new location.                                                                      

Because of the conditions of that area, Cindy Nielsen said, they moved the feeding location inside the fellowship hall of the Church of the Reconciler on 14th Street North.

“We have been at the Church of Reconciler for about two years now,” she said, “which is nice because they have tables and chairs, it is warm in the wintertime, cool in the summertime and easier on the servers.”

Last fall, the pastors at the Church of the Reconciler also decided to restructure the program. Individuals coping with homelessness can also face addiction to drugs or alcohol, Cindy Nielsen said, and some would show up to get meals while high on drugs or intoxicated.

“Even though people would come in to be served while high on drugs or alcohol, at least 98 percent of the time they were very thankful that we were there. They would say, ‘God bless you for what you do,’” Cindy Nielsen said.

To combat some of those issues, the ministry began serving breakfast instead of evening meals. The change, Cindy Nielsen said, has been somewhat of a hurdle.

“It has been a little challenging because we have to leave church with everything ready to go by 8:30 in the morning to begin serving by 9:30,” she said.

Cindy Nielsen also said Bridge Builders lost some of its volunteers, mainly those who were able to assist in the evenings, including students. 

The ministry has also faced rising food costs throughout the years, she said.

“In 2013, it cost us $250 to serve; now the price has increased to $500,” she said. “Last Monday, the bill was a little over $500.”

The Trussville FUMC mission has now created a line item in the budget to offset the cost of the program, and Cindy Nielsen said church members always offer help when needed. 

Publix also donates bakery items for the ministry to collect on Sunday evenings, but the bulk of the food is purchased through Sam’s Wholesale.

“For breakfast we serve scrambled eggs, sausage patties, hash browns, gravy and biscuits, fruit juice and milk,” Cindy Nielsen said. They also prepare sack lunches to hand out after the meal.

When breakfast is over, she said, Bridge Builders brings any leftover food to 3 Hots and a Cot, Brother Bryan Mission, Firehouse Shelter and the Trussville Ecumenical Assistance Ministry (TEAM), so that nothing is wasted.

Ultimately, however, the ministry is about more than just a meal.

“Our main goal is not just to feed the homeless physically, but also to feed them spiritually,” Cindy Nielsen said. “Before breakfast, people who come to eat breakfast have to attend a church service. Some enjoy [that] and some do not, but they know that it is part of the routine.” 

Church of the Reconciler has also made men and women’s Bible studies available for anyone to attend, Cindy Nielsen said.

“After four and a half years, I can see some changes being made,” she said. “Not from our hands, but God’s and by the prayers of many.”

Through difficult times, she said, she remembers to view their work as a vessel of a larger ministry from God.

“When I was overwhelmed one day, I passed by a church marquee sign that read, ‘Ask God not to lighten your load, but to strengthen your back.’”

The individuals helped through Bridge builders are also grateful, she said, and have become close with ministry volunteers.

Both Cindy and Bill Nielsen said they have a special place in their hearts for the men and women they have met over the years. They also invite anyone who has a desire to serve and share the gospel to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Cindy Nielsen said there are needs on many levels, from clothing and hygiene donations to volunteering and listening.

“It does not matter if you are a memberof our church,” she said. “We all serve the same God and share the same great commission.”