Feeding the Homeless

I can now put a check by something that I've wanted to do for years. Yesterday, Jason and I helped at St. Francis Table, a soup kitchen that has been feeding approx 500 every single Saturday for the last 27(?) years. Although it was our first time, it will not be our last. For those of you that have never done it, please add it on your list of "things to do."

As part of Jason's company's "Cares" program, his facility collected coats and socks. They also made and donated 500 sandwhiches. We arrived shortly after 7 am and left after noon when the last guest was served.

It was an amazingly heartwrenching experience. The vast majority were those that your mind's eye imagines as homeless, those that have been homeless for years. Then there were those that appeared to be newly homeless, possibly caught up in the struggles of these tough economic times. And, there were families......families with young children.

The children got to me.....their smiles even though I'm sure that are embarrassed, so well behaved as they sat and ate their meals.

One young woman also tugged at my heartstrings. Many brought in plastic containers and we filled them full of soup to go. Others brought in bottles that we filled full of tea or water. This particular woman looked new to homelessness. I did not see her say a word to anyone. She sat quietly and "secretly" stuffed her bag full of bread as if she was doing something that she shouldn't. Right before she left, she asked for a stack of napkins and quietly stuffed all of them in her bag. I'm pretty certain that those napkins won't be used to wipe her hands.

One white woman and black man sat down together and they broke out with the most beautiful song. They harmonized so well together....really!! Then, they devoured their sandwhiches and soup.

We learned that caps and socks are needed all year long! Diapers are often asked for, but rarely donated. That made me think....what about femine products for the ladies. One lady said she needed underwear. There was none to give her.

As I sat with my hot coffee, grits, eggs, bacon, and fresh biscuits this morning couldn't help but think of those that are so less fortunate than I. God Bless!