Empowering Second Chances for All: Resurrection Street Ministries

Bill Berry’s life could have ended on the streets.  

As a young man, Bill Berry enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as an Airborne combat engineer with the 82nd and 173rd Airborne Divisions. In 1967, during the height of the Vietnam War, he was deployed to the frontlines, where he spent seven months in intense combat. Tragically, Berry was wounded in action, resulting in earning a Purple Heart for his bravery. 

Returning home didn’t bring the peace Berry hoped for. Despite being able to come home early, the physical and mental traumas led him into a dark spiral of crime, incarceration, substance abuse and homelessness. However, in 1983, Berry experienced a life-changing encounter with faith that offered him a way out. 

“[Finding Jesus] is probably the only reason I’m sitting here today,” Berry confesses. “Other than that, I’d probably be sure I’d be dead. My lifestyle and the things that I was coping with were self-destructive.”

With his newfound sense of purpose, Berry could get clean and stay out of trouble. By getting a second chance in life, Berry wanted to make something out of it. In 2002, Berry created Resurrection Street Ministries (RSM), one of United Food Bank 120+ partners, to offer others the same chance at redemption he had received.

“Being homeless gave me some perspective on what it’s all about,” reflected Berry. “So people can’t say to me, ‘Well, you don’t know what it’s like,’ because I can say I know what it’s like. Been there and done that, so that’s why I looked forward and began ministering.”

Since its founding, RSM has been a lifeline for veterans, seniors, and families in need throughout Mesa. Each month, RSM assists an average of 3,000 families with critical food boxes, including the Community Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for seniors. 

What began as a humble food pantry has since expanded to meet the community’s growing needs. RSM has expanded its services by developing specialized programs for veterans, including offering transportation assistance to help them access critical resources such as attending medical appointments, job interviews and essential services. 

However, RSM’s signature “Special Treasures of Useful Fashions & Furniture” Thrift Shop, also known as S.T.U.F.F, has become a crowd favorite. At this unique thrift store, low-income individuals can find everything they need, from toys and clothes to furniture and, occasionally, even used vehicles—all completely free of charge!

In the past few years, RSM has witnessed a significant surge in demand, particularly from first-time food pantry recipients.

“There’s just so many more people coming in now, many of them and never have seen the inside of a food bank in their life, till the last two years,” said Berry.  

RSM continues to rely on its long-standing partnership with United Food Bank to meet this rising need. Through this partnership, United Food Bank can assist RSM in providing healthy and nourishing meals to those in need and support the increasing number of neighbors in need. This wouldn’t be possible without the support from the Arizona community. 

Bill Berry’s life could have easily ended on the streets. Instead, he found a new sense of purpose that saved not only his own life but also others. His story is a firm reminder that everyone deserves a second chance. Without United Food Bank’s assistance and the generosity of donors, Resurrection Street Ministry’s “Caring for Our Neighbors” mission wouldn’t have been possible. 

To help United Food Bank continue to support partners like RSM, donate at https://unitedfoodbank.org/donate/