Good Works: Heaven`s Helpers | Video

Alan Miller | 2/15/2013

It`s easier to be optimistic about life when you have a full stomach. In Bismarck, even those down on their luck can find a free meal, along with a warm welcome. It`s all thanks to a man whose philosophy is not to worry and turn things over to the Lord.

Mark Meier calls his soup kitchen Heaven`s Helpers. For him, it`s not just a name but a way of life. "I live downstairs and the Lord provides for the lights and the heat and the food, and I don`t have many needs."

He provides free meals six days a week, and he acts as a waiter as well, telling visitors what`s on the menu. Early in the month, he feeds about 60 people a day. Later in the month, it could be a hundred more than that.

"I`m on a fixed income, like quite a few people. And a lot of times, the money runs out before the month, makes it difficult to buy groceries and pay bills and so on. And this is a blessing because I`ve a place I can come and eat," said frequent visitor Alvin Walli.

"I came down here with a friend of mine one time, just to check it out. I don`t know, I just like the atmosphere down here and good people that work here and volunteer," said Dan Alexander, who comes in once a week.

Heaven`s Helpers will mark its fourth anniversary next month. And would you believe it`s been more than three and a half years since Meier last bought groceries? The community provides the food and the financial support.

"There`s many times that we have a specific need and we just take it to the Lord in prayer, and He moves on people`s hearts to provide. One time, we were at the end of the month, and we were $500 short of rent. And that very day, in the box, there was $545, and almost all of it in cash for the day, and paid for our rent for the month," Meier said.

Meier says he quit working for man in order to work for God. And perhaps it`s that kind of faithful outlook that keeps a permanent smile on his face.
"It`s probably the hardest I`ve ever worked and probably put in the most hours, but it`s the funnest thing I`ve ever done."

On Sundays, Mark also has church, although he says he`s not a minister.

If you would like us to highlight a person or organization that`s doing good for others, call me at 701-255-8184 or send me an email at amiller@kfyrtv.com, or on Facebook, so we can tell others as well.

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