HISTORY OF OCCF
The Outreach Center of Central Florida, Inc. was incorporated in 2004. Originally it operated as “Wings of Eagles Relief Outreach” and was part of our overall ministry. We were located on Lakeland Hills and 1st street in Lakeland, Florida.
The concept of an outreach center came out of a calling on Founder Don Steiner to reach out to the less fortunate of the community. Don and his wife Mariaelena began by simply going door to door in affluent neighborhoods collecting household items, then re-distributing the items to the needy. However, it has always been our understanding of the Scriptures that this job should fall under the covering of the local church as outlined in Acts 4:32-37.
Recognizing that most churches in the area have an average membership of fewer than 500 active members, and that the logistics of collecting, storing, and distributing common household items to help underprivileged families is a nightmare at best, we began to work on a plan. If we could get churches to ask their congregations to donate household items to The Outreach Center, and support us with a minimum monthly financial gift, we would store and distribute the items for the church. When the church found a needy individual or family they would give the family a “Voucher” that we issue to the churches. The family simply calls us and informs us they have received the voucher for household items. The Outreach Center then sets up a “Home Visit.” This home visit allows us to physically go to the person’s home and accurately assess the family’s real need for household items. If it is determined that the family has a legitimate need we will issue a letter of acceptance and begin to put together all the items the family needs. If the family has means to come to the warehouse and pick up the items up we allow them to do that. If not we deliver the items to their house.
As The Outreach Center grew we saw the need to make it a separate 501(c) 3 organizations so we could apply for separate grants, and allow partners who want to support The Outreach Center separate from the other areas of our ministry.
Today the Outreach Center operates together with Wings of Eagles International, Inc. to reach out to needy families both local and abroad.