April 20th, 2010
“Why are they homeless? Why dont they just get a job? Why are you bringing food to them when they could come and get it themselves? How could ANYone live under a bridge? What’s wrong with these people? “
We’re far from being counselors or skilled at addressing social injustices in this world, but we do know how to love and we do know the meaning of generosity. When someone asks us these questions, we don’t always have an answer and more importantly we don’t care to know the answers. We will use any tools that we might have to help when our homeless friends ask for help but what we offer most of all is just simply love and respect. Our job is to love and respect not to change them if they are not ready to be changed. I would LOVE to say, “Joe Homeless lived under a freeway overpass until I, the Knight in Shining Armor, came and rescued him from himself! Now he lives in a 4 bedroom house on a hill… all because I am so great”. But, let’s be real… that is not a reality. We’ll be there and help point the way to programs, groups and other types of help whenever we can, and we will always be there to listen and respect them.
We also provide a place for those who have a heart and compassion for helping the needy but just don’t have the resources. It is as much of a blessing for us to watch people who help serve hot lunches as it is for those who receive a hot lunch. Some people would never step out of their comfort zone to go over to a scraggly homeless guy and invite to come and have a warm wholesome lunch, but they do when they are with us. And once they come to be a part of what we do, they are hooked – they want to help month after month. And then I hear, “How can I help?” “What else can I do?” “How can I bring this to my church or group?” Their lives have been changed.
I got a call from a friend who works down the street at The Coffee Bean yesterday. “There is a homeless guy in here – come and bring him what you have!” I loaded up my truck with pop-top canned food, snacks, waters, a new pair of jeans, jackets, shirts and headed down to the coffee house. When I walked into the crowded shop, Cathee pointed out the gentleman sitting in the center of the commotion eating a muffin that someone had bought for him. He was dirty, his hair was greasy and unkept, dirt under his long fingernails, shoulders hunched over his very thin frame, and head down – I walked up and put my hand on his shoulder and asked him if I could give him some food and clothes. He got up quickly and left his muffin to follow me. “Don’t anyone touch his muffin!” I yelled! “I’ll guard it!” yelled back a patron. We walked out to the truck and I loaded him up with his goodies. He needed a pair of pants and it looked like they were going to be a good fit for him. I wish I had a pair of shoes for him. Where you from? I asked – he replied very softly “Tennessee” I could tell he wasn’t a talker – just a survivor. He took 2 heavy bags of food and walked back inside The Coffee Bean.
I take away from this story at the Coffee Bean two great things… 1. How much I love to see people like Cathee so desperate to help someone in need. 2. How much I LOVE to see someone in need get those needs met, even if it was just for today – it was one day he didn’t have to search for a meal.
I am not going to cure homelessness – somewhere it’s written that the poor will always be here… but I am going to be able to help soothe the hunger pains and put a warm jacket around their shoulders – what more could a human being ask for ?
