By Ashley McCleery

The North Jefferson News



According to the Greater Birmingham Ministries, 89,661 people live in poverty in Jefferson County, many of whom consistently go to bed hungry.

However, Pinson resident Brittney Barnett quickly realized these numbers were more than just mere statistics. When she volunteered at the homeless shelters downtown, she saw the faces of the homeless and was compelled to help.

“The Lord just spoke to me, and He wanted me to do something to help,” Barnett said.

On a mission from the Lord to help fill the thousands of rumbling tummies in the Birmingham area, Barnett began a homeless outreach with Whosoever Ministries, a non-profit organization with a mission to reach souls for Jesus Christ and to equip men and women for ministry in everyday life.

Initially, Whosoever Ministries encompassed only a youth oriented weekly outreach called The Basement with fast paced worship, dramas and a message. But as The Basement grew in numbers, so did its ministries.

One ministry, Women Experiencing the Living Lord (WELL) allowed women like Barnett to connect with Jessie’s Place by inviting the homeless women to their Bible study.

Although Barnett said she loved talking with the women, she realized something was missing.

“You can tell somebody you love them and that God loves them all day long, but until you help them, they’re not going to listen.”

So, Barnett put her thinking cap on, and the Lord led her to contact a family friend, Allen Folse, who owns Gardendale’s Hamburger Heaven. During dinner several weeks ago, she asked him if Hamburger Heaven would partner with Whosoever Ministries to target the homeless community.

“Of course I said yes,” Folse said. “It’s a wonderful cause, and it’s something that needs to be addressed…especially when most of the homeless are on average nine years old. It makes you want to tear up right there.”

Now, for every $1 donated by a customer in November, Hamburger Heaven will give three hamburgers to feed the homeless.

And during December and January, volunteers from Whosoever Ministries will prepare and distribute the hamburgers to Jimmie Hale Mission, Jessie’s Place, First Light, Old Firehouse Shelter and the Salvation Army.

Although Barnett only addressed Gardendale’s Hamburger Heaven, Folse called the three other chains in the Birmingham area, and they are also joining the bandwagon.

“They [Hamburger Heaven owners] all opened their hearts and their checkbooks. I had no clue it was going to be this big,” Barnett said. “If the Lord wants you to do something, He blesses it.”

And Barnett is continually seeing the Lord bless this project known as “Hamburgers for the Homeless.” In fact, the first day of the collaboration, Hamburger Heaven in Gardendale raised $60 for the homeless, which allowed Barnett to speculate that this effort will raise over 20,000 meals in just one month.

Barnett said she is not only excited to distribute the meals but also elated to share with them her hope and salvation in Jesus Christ. “The Gospel is all just blah, blah, blah to them until you put your faith into action. I want them to see Christ through our serving.”