For the Least of Our Brothers 2011
Sitting here at my computer the day after our annual charity run, my thoughts & prayers can't help but to go out to those homeless we met yesterday, and the ones we didn't meet. The things most of us take for granted- a roof over our head, hot shower, warm bed, regular meals- there are many here in our midst who look upon these as daily blessings.
This year it was myself, Ron Krier, and Mike Volko who made what has become an annual day of giving to the homeless in Center City Philadelphia. This year we gave away 44 bag lunches from Silvio's Deli in Hatboro, they bake the rolls fresh on premises and are delicious even to those of us who have regular meals. We also had a good selection of winter coats, hats, gloves, socks, underwear, thermal underwear, toiletries, sleeping bags, and backpacks that we purchased new in the days before.
We headed straight for City Hall as we usually do, to head down into the subway by the giant clothespin. On the way down Mike was dividing the toiletries up into plastic bags to make it easier. Before we even made it there we noticed a few folks on the sidewalks and handed out some lunches and supplies. We stay away from shelters and try to focus on those folks who also stay away from them because of the trouble that can happen when you get any group together who are competing for limited resources. This way we also get to spend a minute or two of time in conversation with them and let them know that someone cares.
It was very warm this year, above 60F and we had to change our tactics somewhat. Usually the homeless are down below in 15th Street Station or Suburban Station trying to stay warm. With the warm weather they were out and about more. It can be challenging to identify those in real need, as there are plenty of people out just trying to take advantage of whatever situation they can. If we're handing out supplies from the van it tends to attract attention of those just looking for free stuff. We think we get better at weeding them out every year but who really knows?
This year we encountered more ladies than ever before, mostly it is men we find. We found Linda off to the side in 15th St Station reading the Bible and gave her lunch and some supplies. Alicia was on the sidewalk and really needed a sleeping bag so we hooked her up. Some folks are very wary and even decline the offer of a meal even though you can tell they need it. We break the ice with an offer of a good lunch and then try to find out what they really need whether it be a pair of gloves or a sleeping bag. They will often tell you just what they need, and then point out someone else who can use something. Some have been out on the streets for 7 years or more, one man I met said it was his first night out. Sometimes we find a camp, its amazing what they can put together and even more amazing where they are tucked in right next to life as usual in the city.
Some notes for myself to help in planning next year- a few more sleeping bags, tarps and backpacks would have been good. Some things for ladies. Packages of toiletries were good, could have used a few more. 44 lunches was a lot to hand out for the 3 of us, in the end we started giving 2 a person. Start a little earlier to try and maximize our limited dollars. We estimate we spent almost $1,000 this year and appreciate the few monetary donations we received!
On the way out of the city we were talking about how the day went and Mike talked about calling it Project Homeless. I told him that I came up with a different name last year- "For the Least of Our Brothers" based on the following from the book of Matthew:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” - Matthew 25:31-46
Here are a few photos:
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