The Outreach Gazette

February 2026 Edition

All Souls Outreach Reports Great Jacket Program News
St. Therese Catholic Church sponsors All Souls Outreach in many ways. One way is the donation of
new children’s coats by their Knights of Columbus each fall or early winter. A social worker from
one of N. Ft. Myers’ schools contacted Outreach with the need of several families’ kids not getting
enough to eat at home. The Outreach Ministry was happy to provide these families with weekly
assistance. Thinking that if not enough food was in the family budget, warm coats were not in there
as well; these coats were offered to the social worker. Of the 48 donated coats, she took 24
boys/girls in assorted sizes. She immediately discovered these coats were considered quite stylish
and desired by all the kids at school. With her assurance the coats would go to those in need; she
picked up the remaining 24 coats. The great news is that not only were the needy kids warm, for
once they were the ones with the “cool” clothes. A happy ending celebrated by all.

All Souls Reminds Volunteers of Etiquette Guidelines
All Souls directors reminded volunteers of etiquette guidelines emphasizing Outreach’s mission
statement. The mission statement being “Feeding God’s people with LOVE” is what separates their
Outreach from other programs. Volunteers were asked to remember to greet clients with smiles,
respect, and direct eye contact. Clients should be greeted by name if possible. Volunteers were
asked to stay home or “go to the beach” if they got out of bed on the wrong side in the morning.
The key ingredient to Outreach’s success is expressing God’s love for all people.
All Souls Outreach Reports its History and Client Behavior Requirements
 
All Souls reports it’s inception started in 1995.

A veteran’s organization asked to use All Souls’
parish hall to feed the hungry. As a church, All Souls Episcopal Church agreed to help with this
mission. In the early days, it was common that the first to arrive was the Lee County Sherrif’s Dept.
with a file folder of warrants. Fights were common; violence was rampant. Struggling with this bad
behavior, the Vet organization gave this ministry to the church.

With this new ministry, it’s mission statement became: Feeding God’s people with love.” Love and
violence are not compatible. Bad behavior was and is still not tolerated. Dr. & Joan Yearian became
the first Directors. The Yearians realized and codified attendance and assistance could be had only
through good behavior. Although in the beginning, help was only a sandwich, the ministry began to
grow. One early year Outreach began operations with $.05 in it’s bank account. It ended the year
with a left-over balance of $5,000. Success has many fathers. Sponsors came in to help. Volunteers
began appearing.
Today three churches come to work every Wednesday. Churches of many denominations
contribute volunteers, food, materials, and financial assistance. Outreach Wednesdays are
attended by Lee County, and a dozen NGOs. All Souls Outreach has close to 100 sponsors, (too
many to name here and many who wish to remain anonymous).
Today’s services include a food bank, lunch, free clothing, medical assistance, hygiene products,
veteran help, help with addiction, housing assistance, laundry help, ID acquisition, bus passes,
tents, mail, work boots, bicycles, and much more. Close to 90,000 meals are provided annually.
Today’s lunch spends more on utensils and plates than the original sandwich cost.

Client Behavior Guidelines
Naturally, violence or the threat of the same is prohibited.
Disrespect, rudeness, lewdness, & vulgarity is not tolerated.
Violators of the above will not be welcome.
As Outreach is held in a church, everyone should behave like ladies and gentlemen.
Volunteers must realize bad behavior tends to multiply and grow worse. Other clients must also be
protected as well.