Living out the Gospel

The words, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me…, from the Gospel of Matthew are the guiding principle at Dream Center Bismarck.
 
Catholics know this aligns with the Corporal Works of Mercy and words by which we are called to live. Dream Center offers a special opportunity to join with our brothers and sisters in Christ to live out this Scripture passage. This faith-based non-profit resource center provides free meals, groceries and various resources for those in need.
 
The Catholic community responds to the needs of the poor in many ways through our parishes in partnership with Dream Center. Last fall, Ascension parish in Bismarck was given the first-ever “Mission of Hope” award that recognizes organizations and businesses that have done extraordinary things to help in the mission of Dream Center. Since the center does not receive federal or state funding, it relies on the kindness of volunteers and support of churches and businesses, with many church groups volunteering on a regular basis.
 
For one Bismarck couple, Jessica Wachter and her husband, Nick Barranger, answering the call to serve at Dream Center came from an inspiring homily of their parish priest at the Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary. Jessica recalled a homily from Father Jared Johnson that focused on the message of the 14th chapter of Luke’s Gospel. Luke 14 highlights the central message of humility, radical discipleship and counting the cost of following Jesus, contrasting worldly honor with heavenly reward, demanding total commitment (even over family) and showing that true followers are those who embrace God's invitation wholeheartedly, even if it means sacrificing earthly comfort or status.
 
For Jessica, Father Johnson’s homily was a call to action to focus less on self and more on giving back to the community, a virtue she hopes to pass along to her family and friends through example. Visiting Dream Center for the first time, edified this calling to serve.
 
“That homily just reminded me that everybody deserves a seat at the table. The first time we visited Dream Center, I recognized right away that this was a place where everyone is given a seat at the table no matter their circumstances,” Jessica shared.
 
Dream Center staff member, Denise Fettig-Loftesnes, who serves as the development director is also a parishioner at St. Mary’s. She sought out the couple hoping they could help raise awareness of the center’s mission.
 
“When we were approached to help, Nick and I discussed, ‘what can we do?’ And then we went to Church and heard this homily from Fr. Johnson on Luke 14; we felt it was a sign from God,” Jessica said.
 
She said they are honored to be the first champion campaign co-chairs. “Our role is to ‘champion’ the work that is already being done here. The staff and volunteers here are doing the real work but we are here to connect with people across different sectors and get them involved. We have been blessed and we need to turn that outward and bless others. We are connecting with friends, family and business leaders asking ourselves and others how we build awareness.”
 
About Dream Center
 
Dream Center is like no other place in Bismarck. Volunteers arrive starting each morning at 5:30 a.m. They utilize the help of 35-40 people a day among the more than 400 active volunteers. Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. A sack lunch is available throughout the day for anyone who wants it. A box of groceries is available for every household from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. A hot supper meal is served Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 1 p.m., a hot lunch is served, and sack lunches are available. It’s the only facility in town that serves 365 days a year. They are also the only facility with a refrigerator truck that goes out six days a week to collect food from businesses. Area grocery stores give from their surplus or food that is close to expiration. A partnership with the Great Plains Food Bank also provides a large monthly shipment.

“I always say it’s so important to break bread with the community,” Denise shared. “We are trying to keep them from becoming homeless, we’re helping them out of unfortunate events in life that might have occurred through good meals and other resources they need.

“I’ve had pastors tell me, ‘You’ve given us an opportunity to do what God is calling us all to do.’ They say, ‘We can’t all, as an individual church, serve meals to the poor and provide for all the needs,’” Denise said. “Each church couldn’t possibly do this, so they support us with volunteers and financial support to do the work to provide for the poor. The pastors have told me that we’ve allowed people to live out the Gospel of Matthew that tells us to feed the poor, give drink to the thirsty and clothe people.”

The concept began quite literally as a dream of Bismarck resident Jim Barnhardt’s. Back in 2016, he awoke after a vision for a ministry that would provide meals and services to those in need. He later identified this as direction from God to start Dream Center. He met with key people from the community to share his plan. In 2019, people involved in community assistance joined Jim on a trip to Dream Center in Los Angles confirming the model for the idea to be implemented in Bismarck.

In April of 2022, Dream Center officially opened in south Bismarck for free meals and an on-site food pantry. While food is the focus, the staff strives to partner with entities to assist with job searches, healthcare and other essential services. Dream Center Bismarck is a non-profit organization with the main goal of providing help now and hope for the future. Internationally, there are about 85 Dream Centers working independently in communities to find and fulfill the needs of the poor.

Denise admits that most people involved with the center had no idea of the need until Dream Center was built. More than 1,000 households receive groceries each week. Meals are served every day of every week of the year—750 breakfasts, 1,100 sack lunches and 1,800 hot suppers each week on average.

Come and see

Jessica says here’s so much more need in the community that people don’t realize and invites people to simply come and see.

“I think, if anything, the awareness involves a challenge for people to realize there is so much of a need in the community. Come and see the need firsthand at Dream Center. It’s an opportunity to live out your faith. Our faith has really grown through serving here. This community is so beautiful and, coming here, you see faith being lived out. They’ve created an environment where people feel safe to come with their children and families for help and it’s a place where they can see people of faith working with them and for them.”

The champion campaign needed a voice and Nick and Jessica are working to give it. It’s a one-year commitment from different “circles” in the community asking people to think deeper about the needs of those less fortunate.
 
“That homily of Father Johnson’s was about the timing for us…Nick and I were searching for something more and to instill that charitable work in our young family and that homily hit at just the right time. We came and were so excited about the wonderful work being done here. We really are just the biggest cheerleaders for them and their work through this as campaign chairs this year,” Jessica shared.
 
Denise added that Dream Center is truly a grassroots, community-driven effort. “We all know someone who needs food. It might be someone in your school or your church. Starting those conversations with friends and family members, making them aware of the opportunity to explore the joy of giving, whether it’s financial or volunteering time.”
 
Jessica added, “We all stumble on hard times; we are all the same. We all sit at the same table and when we get to heaven, we bring nothing with us. It’s important to see that here and be around people who also believe this through their faith.”
 
Denise stressed how seriously all the staff and volunteers take their job of serving people in body, mind and spirit. Dream Center is a place where everyone can find and fulfill their purpose in life by using their gifts and talents. “People who are served here are the most important people in the room. Volunteers say they have purpose again,” she said.
 
Since Dream Center relies heavily on community support, there are two important days coming up. One is Giving Hearts Day on Thursday, Feb. 12. This nation-wide online giving event features non-profits from across the Midwest. Early giving is open and more information can be found on the center’s website. Another is a new event called “Starry Night” on Saturday, April 25. This is a formal dinner along with live and silent auctions to help raise funds for the center’s continued mission.
 
To learn more about Dream Center and their mission, go to their website at dreamcenterbismarck.org. This is also where volunteer needs are posted and sign up is available.