Last night, men and a handful of women joined me for the Thursday night edition of Street Reach for the Homeless Dinner and Duds. The entree was beef meatballs on a bed of noodles with a rich roast beef gravy over ... however .....the noodles were 86ed on about person number 10 as they had virtually become wallpaper paste. Am accustomed to my noodles from GFS but had forgotten to include 6# in my earlier shopping spree so decided to pick up a nearby store brand.......oh my.....oh my!! I have been chopped!! The 10 pounds of mashed potatoes that were there as a side became the new bed and serving continued. That brought the sides down to 3. All could have a bag of a variety of chips (brought 50 and added 15 more as the late comers began arriving around 9:30 and then choose from a creamy mac n cheese or sweet potatoes with butter and brown sugar. No salad last night as I truly thought the lettuce would freeze too quickly but did have fresh orange slices (cold season is in full bloom for some) and bananas and hoped they were hold as long as possible in the temps. There were cookies for dessert and then a case of bottled water, 3 two liters of name brand soda, Sunny D, ice tea and a half gallon of chocolate milk and fruit punch. From the van, again, warmth!! 3 sleeping bags immediately out the door followed by every comforter I had loaded and more than half the blankets. The one last late gent was given two blankets as the heaviest of the bunch had long left the area and temps were clearly dropping. One tent left with a gent and there were more requests for sleeping bags but I had only loaded 3. Watched as one gent gave up his heavier comforter and traded it for the blankets given to another who had requested a sleeping bag. Melts my heart as I watch these men come forward with compassion and serve another they deem more needing when both sleep in the elements, both battle the same cold, both demonstrate the true sense of community. It was another 5 pairs of boots doing their walkin , nearly all the 6 hour sternos I had just purchased earlier in the day for heat, another dozen or so pairs of gloves, a few hats and a bazillion pairs of socks. Purchased tapered candles when I was in Kroger because I knew I was low and glad I did because another half dozen of those now light the night along with a few more small flashlights from Darlington. One gent asked for a pair of jeans and I worried because I had not loaded more this week but first pair I reached for was a 34 x 32 and .... God wink....we were golden. Last gent standing in line was in need of a thicker winter coat. Have never seen so many others gather around for critiquing my choice.....seriously. First the noodles and now this!! lol Looking at him, I pulled out a large and said lets start here, try this one first and then decide. I then watched him try to put it over the much larger one he was wearing. Quickly realizing the plan was to wear both and not replace one, asked him to take off the one he was wearing, put the new one on and then put the other back over. The comments started - new one much warmer - waterproof - another gent had one similar and said youll never be warmer and as soon as I helped zip that gent asked arent you warmer already?. Mission accomplished on try number one with the help of the Project Runway panel and I could see him literally stop shaking and calm. Blessed!! One by one, and some in small groups, they drifted into the darkness as two remained behind to help me clean up and reload. A final gent came up once all was back in the van and just stood there. Knew I was in deep doo doo if food was the agenda because there was no so much as mac of the mac and cheese left and only the noodles remained in their glory. Looking for a comforter and unfortunately, those too were no more but was able to put two of the heaviest blankets I had remaining into a large black trash bag for him to make his way back into the night and the tent he calls home. Tonight, in our community, as the temps continue to drop and winter rolls in, these men and women of the streets become our city’s most “at risk” neighbors. This Sunday night, I will walk with others as we remember those we have lost in this past year. Those men who will be forever etched in our memories...on the very being of our hearts. For those who remain to see another sunrise, I pray only to protect them in the darkness....protect them from the cold.... simply protect and watch over them always. May we never cease to pray. May we never cease to help. May we never cease to love. God bless.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 19:19:48 +0000
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