Rev. Andy Bales Of The Union Rescue Mission / Urm.org @abales 4/22/21

Andy Bales has been raising money to assist his friends devastated by homelessness for the last 34 years.

Andy was born to Carl and Joanie Bales In 1958. Both parents grew up and met in Des Moines’ southeast bottoms, still known as the poor side of town and the “wrong side of the tracks”. Though Carl had experienced homelessness throughout his childhood, from ages 4-17, Carl(deceased) and Joanie, present today, dedicated their own lives to God and while Andy was in his mom’s womb, dedicated Andy’s life to God.

Since the week in the Winter of 1985, when Andy preached a message about the importance of feeding hungry people and never turning your back on a hurting person among us to students in his classroom 6 times on a Friday, only to not practice what he preached when a hungry man asked him for his sandwich while Andy worked a 2nd job on the weekend.

Since then, Andy has been haunted by the thought of leaving one precious human being on the streets. He used to look through people digging out of dumpsters or living in the streets but immediately, that “haunting” turned into action, as Andy has led 4 Non-Profits addressing homelessness in Des Moines, Iowa, Pasadena and now at Union Rescue Mission of Los Angeles, and has helped raise an estimated $400 Million over the years.

Under Andy’s leadership Union Rescue Mission secured a largest ever in URM history pledge of $30 Million and a recent largest ever local Foundation Grant for $7.5 Million.

During Andy’s time, URM has completed a Capital Campaign to open the magnificent Hope Gardens Family Center for moms children, and Senior Leaders, and is nearing completion of a $50 Million Capital Campaign to open a URM satellite for 86 families devastated by homelessness in South LA County.

Andy and wife Bonnie gave 6 children, 8 grandchildren, helped parent 25 foster children through the years and have thousands of other parents and other “children” who along with their children and grandchildren give thanks to Andy & Bonnie for working so passionately to better their lives and the lives of others.