Dear Friends in Christ,

We are reaching out to the congregations of the Diocese of Dallas to join in this important ministry as we seek to provide warm coats in the regular sets of clothing delivered during the coming winter months.  Based on the projected number of men we will serve, we anticipate needing 700 coats in all sizes, especially XL, 2XL, 3XL.  There is also a critical need for dress shoes, tennis shoes and work boots of all sizes, so we are including an appeal for those items at this year’s Diocese Convention on November 3rd.  

One Man’s Treasure is a faith based non-profit organization that for over thirteen years has served indigent men returning from prison to communities throughout the Diocese of Dallas.  The mission of the ministry is to provide these men with a basic need -decent clothing for daily living and that is also appropriate for job interviews.  Our mission is centered on the belief that if they can find employment, these men can lift themselves from poverty and become productive members of society.  Since its founding, One Man’s Treasure has provided sets of clothing to over 10,000 men, including a record 1439 men in 2017.  Based on the number of clients served, we anticipate that 1,500 will be served this year.  

We have been blessed by the support of the Diocese over the years in helping to meet this need and ask that your congregations prayerfully consider sponsoring a coat and shoe drive prior to the Convention and bring those items to our exhibit table at the Convention.  If you need to have the items picked up in advance, we can put that on our schedule.  If the timing prior to the convention is not convenient, we will also be collecting coats during November, December, or January to meet our needs this winter.  Any coats that we cannot use in our program due to condition or size, will be shared with the Gathering and/or other homeless ministries.

With over 22,000 men returning to the North Texas area each year, including over 9,000 returning to Dallas and the surrounding counties served by our ministries, the need is great.  These men are given $100, a bus ticket and an ill-fitting shirt and pants when they are released and they return with limited, if any, support.  They are faced with unique challenges to successful re-entry and following Christ’s call in Matthew 25:34-40, our program is designed to meet one of those challenges-decent clothing.  I hope that you will take some time to visit our website www.onemanstr.org to learn more about the work that we are doing and help us continue to meet the needs of these often overlooked men, bringing them clothes, a sense of dignity and hope for a better future.

The clients we serve will be blessed by your gifts and you will make a difference in many lives as expressed in this note from a former client. “Thank you for making me feel human, more thought of after being locked up. I was greatly blessed and excited to be job hunting. Thank you all very much for your generosity and consideration.” Christopher

Your church can make a real difference in this ministry and we ask that you join us in this coat and shoe drive.  We thank all of you who have participated in clothing and coat drives in years past and for your prayers for our ministry and the men we serve.  

May God bless you as you worship and serve our Lord.