Louise Woodkins, M&S Open Door Ministry welcomes you to our community!
  | About UsWoodkins’ deal with God feeds the poor.
By TJ Aulds Correspondent
Every morning the hungry and the poor gather outside Louise Woodkins’ Texas City home to get something to eat.Published March 25, 2007 They walk away with much more. “I make sure everybody leaves here with lots of love,” said Woodkins, who for 15 years has fed the poor, comforted the sorrowful and hugged plenty of those many in the community never notice. For her dedication to the poor and hungy, Woodkins has been chosen as a 2007 Unsung Hero. She and other Unsung Heroes recently were honored with a plaque at a reception. From her small two-bedroom home on 7th Street, Woodkins runs a one-woman mission. On average, 30 people come by each day for necessities such as a loaf of bread and vegetables. The food comes straight from area grocery stores and grocery distributors who donate to Woodkins, as well as the Houston-based Action Ministries, which brings a truckload of food to Woodkins twice a week. Her faith-based mission, based on verses from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 25, came about because she was feeling guilty about not being as active in church as she once was. Woodkins, 80, claims she was the first person to ever walk into the Mt. Zion Baptist Church and remained active in almost all church activities. That was until about 15 years ago, when her brother Charlie Raymond Langston fell ill. Her brother’s health was so poor he was an invalid. Woodkins paid for an ambulance to transport him from his East Texas home to hers in Texas City. “I had to care for him 24/7,” said Woodkins. “There was no way to get out of the house.” That meant an extreme curtailing of her church activities, which made Woodkins feel guilty. “I prayed to God to find something I could do from the home,” said Woodkins. That’s when she came across the verses in Matthew. Woodkins said she made a deal with God; she’d would help feed the poor and homeless in exchange for missing church. “This is Heaven to me right now,” said Woodkins as she collected a truckload of provisions from Action Ministries pastor Gordon Berg. And in Woodkins version of Heaven, all are admitted. “We don’t ask how much they make or make them prove nothing,” she said. “All they have to do is ask for help, and we give it to them.” Woodkins’ help for the poor doesn’t stop at providing the donated food to those who come by for help. She’ll even cook something for them. “Just knock on her door and say you are hungry, and she will give you something to eat,” said R. Campbell, who nominated Woodkins as one of the county’s unsung heroes. “If she runs out of hot food, she will make a sandwich or open a can of soup. “She never turns anyone away.” Harold Lea, who folks in these parts refer to as Mr. Buddy, is one of Woodkins regulars. “Her meals are good to go,” he said. “The best meal she makes is spaghetti.” The help goes beyond food as well. She collects donations of clothing and house wares that can be found in a tent in her front yard as if set up for a massive garage sale. From time to time, the help someone seeks is to fight off an addiction to drugs or alcohol. That’s when Woodkins calls on her son-in-law, associate pastor Johnny Grimes, a volunteer chaplain at UTMB, who also counsels those who seek out Woodkins’ unique mission in East Texas City. For Hilardio Bedolla, that mission is more than a way to help feed his family. He said it makes him feel good knowing someone out there cares — no matter the circumstances. “This is truly something that comes from above,” said Bedolla. Her help comes even as Woodkins deals with her own travails. In addition to losing her brother three years ago, her son passed away and on the day The Daily News visited Woodkins, her niece, “who I raised liked a granddaughter,” had just died. Still, Woodkins never closed down or stopped helping out those who came to the door. “This is what God wants me to do,” she said. “I don’t question God and what he does. “He doesn’t make mistakes.” Copyright © 2012 The Galveston County Daily News |
Community Activities
Our community reaches out to the needy to give aid and comfort.
Louise Woodkins' M & S Open Door Ministry in Texas City has been feeding and helping out anyone who comes to her door for over 15 years. No explanations are necessary.
M & S Open Door Ministry is fully licensed and operates from 404 Seventh A venue North. Every single day Mrs. Woodkins cooks a hearty, wholesome and highly tasty meal for whoever turns up on her doorstep. She raised seven children and knows how to feed a crowd. "She's an excellent cook," Hughes says, beaming as he recalls the meals he has enjoyed.
Right now M & S Open Door Ministry is asking for all kinds of help. "Donations of food, clothing, hygiene products, monetary and gift certificates are greatly appreciated. There are a lot of homeless people we help. We get people who fall between the cracks and don't qualify for any official assistance. We need your help," l\tlrs. Woodkins says.
You can contact M & S Open Door Ministry at 409-945-0685 or drop donated items off at 404 Seventh Avenue. If you need items picked up, just call. Jimmie Hughes will be glad to pick up whatever you have. It's one more opportunity to repay the help he himself has been given..
If you know a group that could use our help, drop us a line.
Louise Woodkins, M&S Open Door Ministry
404 7th Ave N
Texas City. Texas 77590
louisewoodkins@yahoo.com
409-945-0685
