Frances Whitehead’s heart and passion are anchored in her favorite scripture, Matthew 25:40 “… inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these…you have done it unto me.” In fact, she quotes that scripture to herself quite often for inspiration and motivation. She has invested her life and talents into feeding the hungry and helping those who are in situations wherein it’s hard or impossible to help themselves.

Whitehead is both founder and director of Love’s Lighthouse Ministries, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization located off US Highway 84 in Tullos. Both personable and professional, it only takes a few minutes of conversation to understand just how deeply her passion runs and how driven she is to accomplish it. She has been actively involved in reaching and helping poverty children, families, and the elderly for the last fifteen years.

Her efforts initiated in PBM Ministries in Woodville, MS, and followed her to her present ministry in LaSalle Parish when her husband’s job relocated the family. She also serves as the Food Ministry Coordinator at the Baptist Mission House located in Jena.

“I decided to start Love’s Lighthouse Ministries when I saw the existing poverty and need in Tullos,” Whitehead explained. “There are five volunteers who donate their time – nobody is paid.” Volunteers spend hours each week stocking, dispensing, and taking care of other routine but necessary duties at the mission’s location which is open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday. Whitehead admits the ministry struggles to provide the needs of their clientele on a monthly basis.

Lighthouse Ministries distribute everything from food to clothing to furniture and other necessities to those they serve. Area families and many elderly citizens look to the outreach for help for basic needs such as food, electricity and water and other staples and services that most take for granted.

Making a difference in people’s everyday lives and well-being is a top goal. Whitehead recalled one elderly gentleman who lacked food, bedding and other basic needs until the organization stepped up to address and provide those resources. His appreciation was apparent as he tearfully shared what a blessing Whitehead and her volunteers were to him.

She also remembers when assistance was given to acquire air conditioning for a senior citizen who had no help, relatives, or transportation and had just been released from the hospital. Another situation that was addressed involved the Christmas season and a senior citizen whose husband was bedridden with dementia and who needed food. Whitehead was able to help her by taking food and praying with her. She has since prayed with her many times.

Whitehead shared that Lighthouse Ministries wanted to reach those elders who fall through the gaps and who do not qualify for other aid programs.

“We have that reputation,” she said happily. “We get calls all the time that are heartbreaking, from those who can’t get help and need it.” She and her team provide that much needed help.

“We distribute 145 brown bags of nonperishable foods a month,” Whitehead offered. “We are gearing up to begin our Backpack Snack bag distribution for school students in September.”

The backpacks will be filled with nonperishable foods that will provide nutritious food for certain students over the weekend until they get back to school meals the following Monday. This effort is achieved in conjunction with the Central Louisiana Food Bank and is based on each family’s personal income. (Some assistance is based on income; other forms of assistance are not.) The team just concluded passing out summer grab and go meals weekly to approximately ninety-eight school age children.

The building which houses the ministry is currently being rented but Whitehead and her team are busy planning and conducting fundraisers to purchase and to buy the building. Additionally, she is pursuing available grants to increase funding and resources for Lighthouse Ministries.

“We are trying to work on acquiring more financial support,” she said. “Individuals can donate financially, and such donations are very much appreciated and are tax deductible.” Other acceptable donations include clothing, furniture, and non-perishable food items.

Whitehead acknowledges that the intrinsic, heartfelt rewards are a blessing that’s hard to ade- quately describe in mere words. She says that knowing you are helping someone in need gives a deeper purpose to life. Just seeing the faces of children, parents, and the elderly when help arrives is satisfaction and reward enough for Whitehead who believes in giving of herself until it helps others.

For those who wish to join her efforts, you can donate monetarily

at (318) 316-1204. There is also a website and a Facebook page for Love’s Lighthouse Ministries. For clothing, food and other material donations, drop-offs are welcome at Love’s Lighthouse Ministries’ storage facility located at 20248 US Highway 84, Tullos, LA.

Giving until it helps is a team effort and recruitment is always ongoing for Love’s Lighthouse Ministries in Tullos. Anyone and everyone are welcome to join the team by donating his or her time, finances or needed items. Maybe like Francis Whitehead, a heart to help others can begin with a small spark of desire and grow into a lifetime commitment and accomplishment.

Whitehead summed it up best in a simple sentence that is a true reflection of her attitude and purpose, “I’m just glad God has provided the means for me to do this.”

But then God always recognizes a charitable heart and hands that are willing to reach beyond the ordinary into the exceptional, and those are the people He calls and He equips.

Such are the hands of Frances Whitehead and those who rally with her in the acts of love and ministry

to others.