Thursday Night on the Orange Route: Purpose Through Service

Every Thursday evening, as the sun begins to dip over Des Moines, my wife

Sandy and I load up and head toward Capitol Hill Lutheran Church. To some, a "date night" might involve a quiet booth at a steakhouse or a movie theater, but for us, it has also become about "radical hospitality." My professional life has been centered on helping families navigate their financial futures at Syverson Strege, but I have found that serving the unhoused and food insecure on the streets with the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry (UBFM) is another way to add purpose to my life.

I love this ministry because it strips away my ego’s need to fix a problem and replaces it with a simple, powerful question: "Have you had supper tonight?" It’s a mission that resonates with my personal belief in taking good care of the gifts I’ve been given. At the office, I’m a senior financial planner helping clients with estate plans and philanthropic planning. On Thursday nights, I’m part of "Orange Team," driving routes on Des Moines’s north side to reach the members of our community who frequently go unseen.

I especially appreciate UBFM for its consistency. Rain or shine, 52 weeks a year, we are out there. Whether we are handing out burritos, sandwiches, water and fruit, or personal care items and blankets, the goal is always the same: building relationships. It’s not just about the food; it’s about the handshake, the listening ear, and the dignity of remembering someone’s name. I’ve seen firsthand how a simple burrito can be the bridge to a conversation with someone who feels invisible to the rest of the world.

Sandy and I have made this a cornerstone of our weekly schedule, and honestly, I wouldn’t trade our "date night" for anything. There is a unique bond that forms when you serve alongside your spouse.

• We’ve shared "God moments" on the street handing a donated coat to a shivering friend.
• Sharing the excitement of someone who has been accepted to a transitional housing program.
• Providing a hug to someone who is going through a particularly profound loss.

We might come home tired, sometimes cold or damp from the Iowa weather, but our spirits are full.

My work at Syverson Strege often involves long-term thinking and planning for decades to come. UBFM offers a necessary counterpoint of immediate, tangible impact. It reminds me of the Mother Teresa wisdom I often think about: "The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway." Whether I’m at my desk in the office or in my UBFM gear on the Orange Route, my mission remains the same: to serve people exactly where they are.

If you would like to learn more about how you can volunteer or donate supplies, reach out to me or Urban Bicycle Food Ministry.