Care-A-Van Ministries

Care-A-Van Ministries is celebrating their 10th year of serving the community of Batavia.

As we share of the ministry and people see the great things that have been happening and  how the Lord is working in people's lives,  they ask "how can we help" and "how can we get involved"? 

Care-A-Van is a non-profit ministry and relies soley on private donations. Paul Ohlson founder of the ministry believes when the Lord gives you a vision, he gives  you provision. It has been amazing in the two years that I have been volunteering with the ministry to see how it has grown. It is awesome to see the networking of churches, agencies and community members coming together to do the Lord's work.

God's vision is our vision.. Feed a Family Feed  A Soul

Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin,; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street (Lamentations 2:19)

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John do you love me?" He said "Lord you know all things you know that I love you. " Jesus said "Feed my sheep" (John 21:17)

Care-A-Van Ministries goes forth into the city of Batavia to feed God's people. Every Thursday evening and Saturday morning the bus is out and about the ctiy giving out groceries , prayer and encouragement to the hurting people on the streets, as well as the morning ministry team is out Mondays through Thursdays.  In the summer time you can find the volunteers out doing cookouts on Thursday evenings and going back to the neighborhoods on Sunday afternoons to do street church.

We not only provide them with physical food, but with the Bread of Life, the spiritual food. It has been said that the food is the "hook to the book". Every Tuesday, the bus travels to Aldi's to buy the needed groceries.. Each family receives 2 bags of groceries, bread, cereal, deserts and a gallon of milk. Lives and families have been changed from these weekly outreaches.

Is God touching your heart to share in his vision? We would love to have you partner with us. You can partner in several ways:

$ 20.00 Monthly Donation to feed a family , $ 240.00 One time yearly  donation or any other amount you would like to donate is greatly appreciated.

Donations can be sent to:  Care-A-Van Ministries  4 Lewis Avenue, Batavia, NY 14020

All Donations are Tax Deductible

Thank you very much to everyone that already donates to Care-A-Van Ministries through financial donations, prayer and volutneering of your time.

As we say at Care-A-Van... Keep the Light On

While Care-A-Van Ministries was out  for their weekly cookout at South Main Street, the little ones enjoyed the activities. 

Kevin Lawton helps a litle one cool off

Rachel Cook, volunteer plays sidewalk chalk with this little gal

Heidi Richmond, volunteer, lays down for little one

Ian Lawton, volunteer helps little ones stay cool blowing bubbles

Paul and Bridget Ohlson refilling the cold drinks

Everyone loves the Care-A-Van Ice cream cones

It's not to late to sign up and be a part of the Second Annual Caring for the City Day.

Last year Care-A-Van Ministries and Dr. Russ Marchese and his staff held the first Caring for the City day. 58 folks received free dental care, 37 received free hair cuts from Continental Beauty Salon, staff from United Memorial Medical center was on hand for free blood pressure screenings and education on breast cancer, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Lake Plains joined in too with offering their free services.

Local Pastors partnered together as well to offer a prayer table.

Many volunteers were on hand to help out as well.  The date for this years Caring for the City Day will be Friday, August 20th from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM at 401 East Main Street, back parking lot behind Dr. Marchese's office.

While Dr. Russ and his staff are busy offering the free dental service inside, we are hoping that more agencies, churches and volunteers will be on hand out in the parking lot offering their services. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to come together to be a blessing to others and to help educate the community of the services you offer.

If you or your agency or church are interested in being a part of this awesome day, please call Paul Ohlson at 343-0328 by this Friday, July 16th.

Nicole from Cornell Cooperative Extension joined in with Care-A-Van Ministries on their weekly cookout at Central Avenue Thursday evening.

She had a very interesting presentation on how much sugar is in common items we drink. If you were there, you would think twice about drinking that mountain dew!

Cornell Cooperative has become a regular partner with Care-A-Van. In the winter  time, the girls from the office make delcious soups to take out and feed the neighborhoods. They educate the people of the free services they have to offer. Several people attending this evening signed up for nutrition  classes.

On Saturday morning, the youth and their Associate Pastor Harlan Hobson,  from New Hope Ministries came out to State Street with Care-A-Van Ministries. The  youth performed an awesome drama skit. Pastor Hobson spoke a powerful message as well.

A special thanks to this group of young folks who are so willing to give hope to others. After the skit, the youth spent time talking and praying with those folks that came to the bus needing help.

These youngsters were quite the percussion group with Care-A-Van Band tonight at the weekly cookout on Watson and Thorpe Streets. A special thanks to the band for having the kids join in the fun! Also a very special thanks to Aldi's who donated flowers to be given away. The children and the mom loved the bouqets! Who knows one day, we might just be attending a famous concert with one of the little ones seen in the video!

A little help from Michelle with the tambourine

The youth puppet team from Genessee Country church joined up with Care-A-Van Thursday evening for their weekly cookout. The youth presented an awesome puppet show for all the kids and their parents. 35 people from the neighborhood came to the cookout.  Captain Bob Krutz and wife Pat from the Salvation Army were on hand. Captain Bob will be giving the message for street church at South Spruce this Sunday. The service starts at 2:30 PM.

Thank you to the youth from Geneesee Country church and all the people that come out  to volunteer to bring joy, peace and happiness to others!

The youth with their advisor Rachel

Now he looks like he is enjoying his hotdog!

Kim Gloskowski volunteer  from Emmanuel Baptist Church helps little Lilly celebrate her birthday with an ice cream cone!

Who's up for a game of checkers? If you see that big red bus around town, be sure to hop on and take up a game of checkers. Olivia and Morgan did just that tonight. While their moms and families were busy inside the Mane Attraction for Charity night, they came out to the Care-A-Van bus and got involved in a game of checkers.

My understaning is that Olivia won!  While some were busy inside the bus, others were busy asking for prayer out on the sidewalk.  It was an awesome night on the streets for Charity night!

It was a long winter, but the Charity spirit is back in the air at the Mane Attraction.

On the third Monday of the month, Charity night will be held at the Mane Attraction on Maine Street from 6:00-8:00 PM.  Local vendors are on hand to share of their business and offer services and products to those attending.  The vendors donate door prizes for a raffle.

A different charity is spotlighted each month. This month's proceeds went to Crossroads House.  A special thanks to Chris and all the people who make Charity night such a blessing for the community.

You will be seeing more and more of that big red bus around town.  Care-A-Van Ministries has added on morning ministry. 

The bus currently is going out Monday and Wednesday mornings. The purpose of the mornings out is to park randomly in neighborhoods and be there for people that need encourgement and prayer.

Pictured above is Paul Ohlson founder of the ministry with a man Herb who stopped by for prayer. Seen inside the bus is  Pastor Jack McMullen of the City Church and Pastor Mark Perkins from Oakfield Alabama Baptist Church. They  are two of the Pastors who volunteer their tme for the mornings out. Other Pastors that are currently volunteering are Pastor Larry Becker of City Church, Pastor Dale Gooch of the Emannual Baptist church, Pastor Charlie Piscitello of Faith Fellowship and Captain Bob Krutz of the Salvation Army.

Other Pastors have shown an interest of becoming involved. It is the vision of Paul Ohlson that enough churches and Pastors will come on board, so the bus could be out every morning and even possibly twice a day ministering to the people of Batavia.

Currently , Care-A-Van Ministries serves 28 different neighborhoods. They are looking to have churches partner and possibly take over a neighborhood, so Care-A-Van could reach out to other areas in the city that are in need.

As we say at Care-Van,   Keep the Light On!

The team takes time out to pray with students curbside

Liz and Dana two RA's enjoy the candy for all students donated by Olivers Candies

Spring was definitely in the air at GCC Thursday evening. While the students were busy playing volleyball, baseball, attending Self defense classes,  a team of 7 volunteers were on campus knocking on all 95 door rooms.

The ministry goes once a month to the campus dorms with treats and prayers in hand. There has been great relationships built with the students. We were there longer than usual tonight, as many students wanted to visit, talk of their struggles and have prayer. Six of the students made a committment of giving their life to the Lord!

Care-A-Van will be going back for our last visit this school year on Thursday, May 6th. We will host a cookout in the dorm parking lot beginning at 5:00 PM.  A special thanks to all of you for your support of the ministry. It is through your continued support that Care-A-Van is able to go forth and share the good news of the gospel and help others in need.