Every Wednesday at 11 a.m., Lakeland’s East Main Street comes alive as “The Table,” a ministry of the nonprofit Worth and Purpose, fills to capacity with hundreds of unhoused individuals seeking a hot meal and a place of belonging.
Meals, worship and practical help
Volunteers—many of whom are regular attendees—prepare and serve a hot, nutritious lunch that is offered free of charge. At noon, a worship service follows in the bright, artistic sanctuary that the ministry has created to uplift visitors. The service includes prayer, scripture reading and contemporary Christian music, emphasizing the message that every person is loved and has purpose.
Beyond food and worship, Worth and Purpose runs job‑outreach programs designed to help participants secure employment and transition off the streets. The organization also offers a kids’ ministry and faith‑based art classes, giving families a safe environment for children to learn and create.
Founder’s vision
Travis Settineri founded Worth and Purpose in 2022 after noticing that many unhoused people felt unwelcome in traditional churches. He says, “They don’t feel comfortable going to a normal church. They kind of get looked at differently. We just wanted to provide a place where they can feel loved and feel seen.” Settineri has expanded the ministry’s reach with mobile outreach efforts such as a free ice‑cream truck, a barbershop and a pizza van, all aimed at building relationships and offering practical assistance.
Desiree Reels, who experiences homelessness, described the ministry as a “supportive sanctuary” where she feels safety, prayer and love. “We’re family,” she said. “This is what this place is for—to get to understand my purpose here.”
Future expansion plans
Having outgrown its current facility, Settineri is actively seeking ways to expand. He hopes to purchase the building next door and an adjacent property to create a dedicated housing complex, with the ultimate dream of acquiring the entire city block to broaden community outreach.
“When people come through these doors, we want them to know they have worth, purpose, and that they’re loved. It’s as simple as that,” Settineri added.
Community impact
The Table ministry exemplifies how faith‑based organizations can address both spiritual and material needs, reinforcing the traditional family and community values that strengthen Lakeland. By providing meals, worship, and pathways to employment, the ministry offers a tangible expression of Christian compassion that resonates with local residents and volunteers alike.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
