Preacher Gives Himself To Feed Souls, Hungry

COLUMBUS, Ohio—With record numbers of people out of work, facing paycuts or losing their homes, more and more people are falling under the category, “in need.“

At the same time, the number of places capable of helping those in need is shrinking.

Yet in the midst of difficult times, there are shining examples of humanitarians hard at work—giving of themselves to help their neighbors.

Few shine as bright as Billy Woosley.

“We had it rough. But we survived. That’s what this is all about. Show people that we can survive,“ Woosley said.

The sound of sorrow and strength flows freely from 57-year-old Billy Woosley.

An imposing figure upon first glance, the preacher of God’s word lives simply and spends his days at the Church of the Lamb of God at Sullivant and Clarendon avenues.

Woosley started his ministry in 2005. The goal was to feed souls on Sunday and on the fourth Saturday of every month, feed their bodies.

Woosley’s wife, Debbie, supported him from the start.

“That’s really touched me because I’ve never heard of people wanting to feed the neighborhood. So I thought it was amazing that he wanted to do that,“ Debbie said.

With their children grown, Debbie helped Bill with his vision, making sure no one—especially children—went without food.

Woosley often did the same thing as one of nine children growing up poor in Canal Winchester. His mother struggled to feed them after his alcoholic father deserted them.

“She didn’t care how many kids were at the table. She’d feed the whole neighborhood. If we didn’t have it, that was it,“ he said.

When Bill and Debbie started the feeding program, it cost them $40 to $50 a month. That number now stands at about $130. Add to that donations of food and clothing they receive from west-side businesses and they feed approximately 90 people every month.

“We have people coming in from the south end coming up to eat because they know the program and it’s really good and touching because this is the time of month that people need to eat and the way the economy is and stuff, it’s good that we have somebody who wants to come out and feed the neighborhood,“ Debbie said.

The means are as simple as hot dogs, chips, snack cakes and soda and more elaborate meals are served Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some choose to sit and eat their meal, while others take their food to-go.

It is a ministry that Woosley admits alienates them from their ten children.

“I’m in and out of church all day long, most of the time, either picking up clothes or delivering food, you know? And it’s hard. It’s hard on both of us, too,“ he said.

But as hard as it may get, Bill and Debbie push on, spreading the word and filling stomachs—one at a time.

“I don’t care who you are. You make out of life what you want out of life and this is my life,“ Woosley said.

Debbie said that when her husband learned he had been voted as an Everyday Hero, he was moved to tears.

NBC 4 is going to make a donation to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank in Woosley’s name.