News
At Crossfire Ministries, every day tells a story worth sharing—of compassion, community, and faith in action. From major announcements and local partnerships to volunteer spotlights and heartfelt guest experiences, this is where we celebrate what happens when people come together to care for one another.
Nourished for New Beginnings
January invites reflection, renewal, and a return to simple rhythms. Nourished for New Beginnings explores how food, faith, and thoughtful cooking intersect in real kitchens during real seasons. Through a humble, nourishing recipe, this reflection highlights how stewardship cooking and shared meals can bring comfort, dignity, and hope to families navigating a new year with limited resources.
Why Thrift Retail Is the Future of Sustainability
Sustainability is no longer a future aspiration—it is a present responsibility. As communities rethink consumption, waste, and access, thrift retail is emerging as a practical, proven solution. Mission-driven thrift stores like Crossfire Thrift extend the life of goods, reduce environmental impact, and directly support families in need. This article explores why thrift retail sits at the intersection of environmental stewardship, social sustainability, and community resilience—and why its role will only grow in the years ahead.
What Makes a Thrift Store Feel “Inviting”?
What makes a thrift store feel inviting goes far beyond price and inventory. Research in retail atmospherics and consumer experience shows that thoughtful design, intuitive layout, sensory cues, and visual merchandising all shape how customers feel the moment they approach and enter a space. These elements, paired with a mission-centered environment that honors dignity and choice, help transform thrift retail into a place people want to explore and return to. Learn why these factors matter and how they relate to community-centered mission retail.
A Season of Light
When resources feel tight, the kitchen can become a place of anxiety—or a place of hope. In December’s Crossfire Heart to Table devotional, we return to a simple truth: feeding a family well doesn’t require more money, more food, or more perfection. It requires care, confidence, and community. This month’s featured recipe—Creamy Soup with Any Vegetable & Meat—is built for real kitchens and real seasons. It honors leftovers, adapts to what’s on hand, and teaches one of the most important lessons Crossfire shares through its education programs: stewardship begins with using what you already have.
10 Ways to Thrift Holiday Gifts on a Budget
Holiday giving doesn’t have to strain a family’s budget. Thoughtful gifts can be curated through secondhand shopping, offering meaningful alternatives that honor both generosity and sustainability. At Crossfire Thrift, we see how intentional thrifting creates personalized gifts while also strengthening our mission to provide food, clothing, and care for families in tight places. These ten ideas offer practical ways to rethink holiday giving through purpose-driven thrift.
Crossfire Ministries serves 2,500 Families in 2025 Thanksgiving Food Box Program
Crossfire Ministries distributed Thanksgiving Food Boxes to 2,500 families in 2025—driven by rising food insecurity and the SNAP delay. Learn how to support this vital community effort.
A Letter from 2536
In a deeply moving letter signed only as 2536, a mother shares the story of how her family survives — and even thrives — without any form of government assistance, thanks to the weekly support of Crossfire Ministries. With six mouths to feed and a limited income, she describes how access to Crossfire’s pantry, meals, and volunteer kindness allows her to pay utility bills, keep her home intact, and ensure her children never go hungry. Her testimony is a powerful reminder of the tangible difference your support makes in the lives of real families. This is more than a story of food — it’s a story of dignity, resilience, and grace.
Help Fill the Gap:
When federal food assistance falls short, local generosity fills the shelves. Crossfire Ministries is calling on individuals, churches, businesses, and neighborhood groups to step in and sponsor food purchases by the pallet. Every contribution—large or small—helps feed the 1,500 families we serve each week with essential groceries like canned goods, cereal, and fresh produce. With bulk buying power and your support, we can stretch every dollar and ensure no family in El Paso County faces an empty pantry. Let’s fill every shelf—and every heart—with hope.
SNAP Benefits Pause November 1
With SNAP benefits delayed statewide, Crossfire Ministries is calling for a unified community effort to keep El Paso County families fed. As the region’s most frequently referred food pantry, Crossfire is partnering with Care and Share, Food Bank of the Rockies, and local churches to provide groceries, hygiene items, and hope through the holiday season.
Crossfire Ministries encourages Community Food Response Amid SNAP Benefit Delay
Crossfire Ministries is calling for a coordinated community food response in Colorado Springs after federal delays halted November SNAP benefits. With more than 75,000 El Paso County residents affected, the nonprofit is partnering with local churches, food banks, and businesses to keep shelves stocked and families fed. Community members are encouraged to donate food, give financially, and pray for those in need.