A calling from God, responded with love.
It wasn’t easy at first. It required a leap of faith. In this leap of faith, Reverend Jay Ragsdale went to Pioneer Park with some TicTacs, his bible and God. Through this, Fill the Pot Ministry was founded, serving our brothers and sisters in need, not just with home cooked meals, but encouragement and love. Our ministry serves hundreds of hot meals every Sunday morning. We also provide clothing, hygiene items, employment & education assistance, and addiction & mental health support. Our goal is to bring hope to those in need, let them know they matter, and help them get back on their feet.
Fill the Pot Ministry is truly a desire from God that was planted in Reverend Jay Ragsdale’s heart. Inspired by his brother, Lee Ragsdale, who have experienced homelessness and lived at Pioneer Park, him, together with his wife, Toni Ragsdale, responded to what God was calling them to do: to care for His children. A calling they tirelessly responded to with love. More than 16 years later, they continuously serve God along with amazing volunteers and generous donors, serving our neighbors in need, our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
Love God, Love People.
Rev. Jay Ragsdale and his wife, Toni, have been helping those who are struggling with homelessness for close to two decades. He, too, has experienced homelessness in his family. Check out Rev. Jay’s video showing how Fill the Pot Ministry started.
Our Mission
To help the disenfranchised and less fortunate in our community. Providing them with hot meals, food boxes for families, hygiene items, clothing, hope and a friendly face.
Our Vision
To be the hands and feet, the Good Samaritan heart that our community needs; to create a safe and enjoyable space and provide service opportunities for the young and older to come and serve those who are less fortunate.
To be a part of God’s greater plan: Helping one another.
Speaking Engagements, Interviews and Appearances
Fill the Pot Ministry founders, Rev. Jay and Toni Ragsdale are often invited to interviews and speaking engagements all over the State of Utah. The passion the Ragsdales have in serving the unhoused community is unmatched. Even while working full time jobs, they find the time to serve and share their experiences with others. Here are some of their event appearances highlighting their contributions for the homeless community in Salt Lake City, Utah.
To invite the Ragsdale’s to a speaking engagement, please click here.
The Ragsdales were invited in February 2023 to speak about Fill the Pot Ministry at the University of Utah for their Entrepreneur Leadership Series.
Fill the Pot Ministry was featured by KSL News in 2021 for continuously and selflessly serving our homeless neighbors every Sunday, nonstop, even during the pandemic.
Capitol Church invited Fill the Pot Ministry in their podcast, Capital Stories, to share what the ministry does and how it started. Listen to the moving stories of Rev. Jay and Toni Ragsdale and how their hearts were shaped into this calling in which they responded with love.
On October 26, 2022, KUTV News featured Fill the Pot Ministry for the service that we provide for our friends in the streets. Mountain America Credit Union also made a donation to further help our neighbors in need.
