Candy for a Cause

146 days ago by Julie Anne Osterhus

It’s a typical Thursday night at SURGE. As the service closes, I make my way to the lobby to mingle with students. Out of the corner of my eye I see 13-year-old Joseph Espania at a table with a box of candy. He asks me if I want to buy some to support the homeless. I can’t resist and pulled out a dollar from my purse. He smiles and thanks me and I walk away with Reese’s Cups and some inspiration.

Joseph and his family have been feeding the homeless around Thanksgiving time for a few years. They put together brown bags with sandwiches, puddings, and juices and hand them out to people on the streets. In February of 2009, Joseph went with his mom to Costco and found boxes of bulk chocolates. He realized that he could sell the chocolates for a dollar and use the proceeds to fund their homeless outreaches.

This past Thanksgiving, Joseph and his family were able to feed over 100 homeless in Miami with the proceeds he collected. They attached cards to the brown sacks that said “Jesus loves you” and handed them out in His name.

After Thanksgiving, Joseph continued to sell candy bars and decided to give those proceeds to a foster home in Pembroke Pines. For Christmas, He was able to buy 15 Target gift cards for children in need. After Christmas he received a card with all 15 children’s signatures and heart felt thank you’s.

God is working in the students of our youth group in powerful ways! It is very exciting to hear first hand about how he is using them. Thank you Joseph for your ministry and your heart for people!