April 2026 “Off the Grid”

“Affordable Housing”?

APRIL 2026 NEWSLETTER FEATURES:

*Unsheltered

*What’s your Story?

*Sharing Prayer Concerns

*Impact and Needs

UNSHELTERED

Our primary focus is to help folks that are most needy, underserved, and living on the margins.

The population of the DFW metro area is more than eight million with a poverty rate of 12-15%, affecting more than one million people in our area.

The DFW area homelessness numbers continue to rise due to housing shortages, economic challenges, domestic violence, mental health, and addictions.

Homeless shelters are operating at full capacity leaving approximately 3,500 homeless individuals living unsheltered in the DFW area on any given day.

It’s sad but true that many people in our area live like this!

George-49 Feeling Blessed

Debbie passing out much needed insect repellent

Jimmy-34 and Michael-58 trying on new shoes

Jimmy-34 thankful for food, water, clothes, and shoes.

Michael-58 thankful for new shoes that don’t hurt his feet.

Perla helping this lady with a new pair of much needed shoes.

Kathryn and Bonnie assisting this lady with shoes and clothing.

Perla, Bonnie, and Kathryn busy helping out needy women.

Cindy-67, and Walter-5 (89lbs.) appreciated bag, ladies’ personal care bag, and a dog bag.

Darrell-55 happy to get a new pair of shoes.

Christopher-54 received a bag, comfortable shoes, and sleeping bag.

Gene-55 loves his new blue shoes.

What’s your story? By team member Renie.

Vinny-53, has been homeless for 9 months, currently lives in a tent, and works part time (approximately 20 hrs./wk.) for TxDot. Venny has applied for housing and has a caseworker working with him.

Daniel-53, was released from Dallas County jail two days before we spoke, after serving 7 months for possession of drugs. Renie directed him to the Our Calling resource booklet in his “Bob’s Bags”. Renie assured Daniel that we would include him on our prayer list, and that lots of folks would be praying for him.

Beverly-63, with Renie and Pam. Beverly recently became homeless and lives under this bridge. She has physical impairments, including an amputated toe, asthma, gout, and arthritis. She has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder. Beverly is seeking a relationship with God and attends Cornerstone church. Beverly is a talented singer, particularly jazz and the blues. She gave us a short performance. Very enjoyable!

Dale-75, is from Nevada and moved to Dallas in March of this year. He was unable to find affordable accommodations, so he set up camp near Our Calling Ministry. Not long after he arrived in Dallas, he lost all his possessions in a severe rain/wind storm, including identification documents and his phone. He does receive social security, but has been unable to collect it because he has no address. He has an appointment scheduled on 05.21.26 to address the social security issue. Dale is remarkably optimistic, all things considered.

PRAYER CONCERNS

Please take a moment to pray for these listed.

·      Marissa-38 Strength

·      Michael-58

·      Daniel-42 (Featured in What’s your story?) Renew mind

·      Reggie-24 Church

·      Harry-35 Clarity

·      Jimmy-34 Prudishness

·      Tiger-34 Good birthday

·      Ray-43 God’s children

·      Bryan-62 Good life

·      Ruby-28 Boyfriend out of jail

·      Dakota-28 Sobriety

·      Beverly-63 (Featured in What’s your story?)

·      Deidra-45 Change my lifestyle

·      Jason-38

·      Christopher-54 Tent

·      Patrick-46 Better life

·      Johnny-59 Family

·      Steve-42 Thankful

·      Aaron-53 Good family

·      Doug-51 Get off the streets

·      Darnell-41 Stability

·      Jerry-61 Train ticket

·      Dale-75 (Featured in What’s your story?) Sunshine

·      Tex-38 Comfort

·      Anthony-38 Off the streets

·      Andre-50 Off the ground

·      Karen-77 Home

·      Jose-35 Job

·      Cindy-67 Home

·      Orlando-45 Grew up in Duncanville, better situation

·      George-69 Off the street

·      Renea-50 Off

·      Jamuna-62 Happiness

·      Meshack-53 World peace

·      Darling-49 Home

·      Briana-24 Housing

·      Amy-58 Finances

·      Chelsea-43 Need a work program

·      Arthur-58 Better situation

·      Don-53 Better situation

·      Lee-64 Close to God

·      Phil-57 Apartment

·      Derek-60 Focus on the Lord

·      Michael-53 Mother Joann

·      Man in chair-50

·      Joyce-51 Grateful

·      Brian-45 Raise me up

·      Dion-65 Keep God in my life

·      Pearl-25 Housing

·      Daryl-59 Health/Rosalee

·      Danielle-40 Positive people

·      Samala-30 Boyfriend in jail

·      Ali-34 Brothers health

·      Britany-25 Sick dog/apartment

·      Saint-41 Things are great/infected eye

·      George-45 Stay strong and humble

·      Devin-83 Case closed

·      Dino-60 Just out of prison/strength away from the wrong  

·      Farland-58 Need I.D. and car

·      Darrell-55 Decent job and place to stay

·      Francisco-52 Shoes

·      Gene-55 Living situation

·      Vernon-52 Discernment/focus in school

·      Patrick-50 Patience

·      Paul-64

·      Anthony-60

·      Tommy-54

·      Bobby-51 Financial help/good health

·      Shanet-46

·      Reba-32 Court date

·      Mike-69 Get off the streets

·      Paul-59 Blessings for health

·      Cayley-28 God’s blessing for love and health

·      Terry-68 Housing

·      James-50 Health/job/open heart to God

·      Lakeitha-34 Secure me and my daughter

·      Shantell-56 Housing and income

·      Joyce-48 Health/ high blood pressure/dialysis

·      Zvonrick-45 Stronger in faith/health/ financial blessings

·      Renea-61 Finances/food/housing

·      Heath-60 Job/housing

·      Dominque-38 Family funeral burial

·      Rayell-61 Health

·      Anonymous-50

·      Stanley-66 Addiction

·      Jonathan-52 Sister Sheila

·      Blanco-45 Home

·      Elizabeth-52 Out of addiction

·      Lee-70 Home/job, needs money

·      Bryan-61 Good life

·      Moses-55 Happiness

·      Julio-55 Employment, living in a tent for about 6 months

·      Ernest-55 Mother

·      Dorothy-58 Home

·      Stacy-50 Home

·      Venny-53 (Featured in “What’s your story”) Family

·      Rogeilo-48

·      Rick-42 Loyalty

·      Roy-43 Strength

Volunteers

Our Saturday group that assembled and filled 100 bags.

Pastor David Cartwright sent our jolly outreach team off with a prayer.

IMPACT AND NEEDS

The April 2026 outreach was a success as we assisted more than one hundred needy souls.

Our homeless friends showed their appreciation with smiles, hugs, and thanking God for their blessings.

Highlights of this day: 100 Bob’s Bags, 36 Personal care backpacks for women, 3 Dog bags, 595 articles of clothing, 47 pairs of shoes, 23 sleeping bags, 8 tents, and 47 cans of insect repellent.

Bob’s Bags Vision Statement sums up our purpose:

To extend a hand of compassion and support to individuals experiencing homelessness, providing them with essential supplies and a sense of dignity. We strive to be a beacon of hope, sharing God’s love through practical assistance, heartfelt outreach, and the transformative message of the gospel, believing that every act of kindness is an opportunity to spread hope and faith.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

We need new or gently worn clothing, bras, shoes, blankets, sleeping bags, and tents.

Your financial donations are much appreciated and will allow us to purchase needed supplies.

Donate through the website at bobsbags.org

Please remember:

Love your neighbor

Take care of the poor

Feed the hungry

Clothe the needy

Bob’s Bags is a 501(C)3 public charity

The need is great! Thank you for supporting this ministry

Bob Cawthon

bob.cawthon@gmail.com  214-213-9320