Manolo Betancur, owner of Manolo’s Bakery in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has a heart for the homeless. He joined Raise Up Ministries because he felt like many of the people living on the street don't recognize who God says they are. Without that special identity it's easy to feel worthless and that starts a downward spiral that often ends up with drug abuse and eventual homelessness.
Manolo moved to America from Colombia to attend college in TN. He eventually became a U.S. citizen but says it wasn't easy to find community while learning English and struggling with finances. He says that knowing he was a special creation of God's helped him through that era. He eventually married, moved to Charlotte and opened the first Latino bakery in the Carolina's.
Following his belief that many of the homeless ended up there by not feeling special and worthy he started a tradition of speaking with them to tell them who God says they are. He also asks when their birthdays are. He puts it in his calendar. Then on their birthday he delivers a sheet cake from his bakery.
Recently a man approached Manolo and asked are you the guy who makes birthday cakes for the homeless? He confirmed he was. The man said he had received one about 6 years ago and that was the spark needed to reignite his passion for life. He is off drugs, employed, and recently married.