my day on the front lines of winter in the Bush years( sorry, it is long)

[yellowdogintexas]

Today I did a little volunteer work at my church. For 21 years, our church has served all you can eat chili lunches during the week prior to Christmas to the street people, shelter residents, and other down and out persons in Fort Worth.

Today was a beautiful day, high 60's sunny and clear. We served over 400 meals.

Most of these people will return every day this week, tank up on chili, onions, cheese and jalapenos, crackers, cookies, coffee, hot cider.

Most of the folks are male. Broad mix of hispanic, black, anglo.
A few children with mothers. I do not know if we are serving more than last year or not, at the end of the week I can find out, and will footnote if anyone is interested.

These people are so polite, some very cheerful. They range in age from probably late sixties to late teens (except for the kids w/moms). Some are regulars; we have seen them year after year. Many appear to be alcoholic, some most likely are addicts of other things. Never has anyone come in for chili reeking of liquor, nor have we had crazies on drugs join us for lunch. They thank us, offer us blessings and wish us Merry Christmas.

Today I was the chopped onion and jalapeno pepper server on my line. So for 3 hours, "would you like onions sir, and how about some peppers? And would you like them on top of the chili or on the side sir? And you have a Merry Christmas sir." (Or ma'am, depending)

HIghlight of the day. Mark and Sunshine. Mark is probably in his late 30's but it's hard to tell because living on the street puts mileage on you, but he comes in with his little dog Sunshine tucked in his jacket, zipped up so all you can see are her eyes. She is a little blonde Yorkie type, someone gave her to him 5 years ago and if she can't go, he won't go either. Period. She was so cute, and polite, just sat in his jacket and watched everything so quietly, in her little sweater, don't know where he got the sweater, although one of our mission folks could have given it to her..picked from a dumpster, who knows? Well, we had a photographer in for the day who volunteered his services and supplies to take photos of the guests, the the church would send a Christmas card to their family if they desired. Mark and Sunshine had their picture made. He let me play with her, and hold her for a bit. I asked him if he lived at one of the shelters, and he said he had a room in a rooming house, so he could keep her. I guess he does oddjobs or something so he can live with her. He was so sweet and kind to that little doggie, why is he living like this, can't get a regular shower, or laundry.

Past years, I have taken babies off their mother's hands so the moms could eat in peace (and so I could play with the baby), and I worry about those babies big time..however there are still social services for babies. Mark and Sunshine don't qualify for social services as a family.

So when things were winding down, I was helping the Outreach coordinator clear some tables and I said to her "DAMN George Bush!!", to which she said Amen! We had been talking about it being a good day for this event, nice weather ..and I said "No, the good day is the one where no one shows up because THEY DON'T NEED US ANYMORE!!!!" and Nancy said that would be the happiest day of her life.

Fort Worth is a fairly benevolent town, on the whole, and we are not the only church who missions to the local population. There are some fairly innovative resources for homeless persons, but funding has been lost, individuals have less money to donate, it is a viscious circle.

Watching that large room full of hungry folks eating our chili and enjoying the company, and music I could not help but think: "These are the least among us. If Christ came back to Earth right now, He just might be in this line somewhere. "

Oh yeah we had this great guitarist providing the music, lots of Willie Nelson, Gordon Lightfoot, Kris Kristofferson, Allman Brothers songs. No Christmas music at all.

I did a little light shopping after wards...(COSTCO), watching all the mongo SUV's and other gas hogs, huge baskets full of stuff; it was somewhat crowded but not like it usually is this time of year. But I couldn't get these people out of my head. I think they will be there for a long while. Funny, I have done this many times but it never hit me quite this way before.

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Holidays, and Seasons Greetings.

[Bullwinkle925]

1. Thank You

No - it wasn't long at all. It warms my heart to learn of a 'fellow' democrat alive and well in Texas. May I ask what church? And why there wasn't the usual Christmas music? You should download the pic of Mark and Sunshine to this site.
Thanks for sharing - I really enjoyed it.

[yellowdogintexas]

2. First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth

One of our ministers came over and led us in prayer before we let the guests in, and our Outreach director told us a wonderful story:


She received a letter from a man in Michigan, thanking us for taking care of his son. See, we give them Christmas cards if they want them and send them to wherever they want them to go, using our postage meter. He had his picture made and sent a Christmas card to his father in Michigan. He had not communicated with his father in 5 years, and his father thought he was dead. So he wrote us to thank us.

So our 21st year of chili lunch is off to a good start.

Thank YOU.

I think the music was chosen because it was something the guests would like. The performer may have chosen what to play himself. When the MYF is in charge on the last day, members of our youth choir will sing and perform.

We treat them as if they were in a restaurant; people bringing around pitchers of coffee, water, milk, or cider, utensils .

on edit: don't know if I can get the picture or not. I will ask. I did not have my own camera with me today, or I would have taken one too.

[Bouncy Ball]

4. I love the fact that they are treated like they are in a restaurant.

Even when they get help sometimes they are treated in such a humiliating way and it's nice to hear they get "pampered" a bit just a few days out of the year.

[Bouncy Ball]

3. "For whatsoever you do to the least

among you, you do also to me."

A teaching of Jesus that the fundies seem to have forgotten....or never knew.

And that you seem to live.

Bless you and peace be with you. You are an angel for serving the homeless of Ft. Worth, one of my favorite cities. It is a benevolent city because of people like you living there.

[yellowdogintexas]

6. thank you! I will pass it on to church staff.

One of the core values of our church mission center has been to treat those we serve the same way we like to be treated in any retail establishment.

So they leave our food bank with their items in a grocery sack, just like they went shopping. Same with the clothing bank, and back to school clothes.

And they are always greeted with a smile, a handshake, sometimes a hug,
treated politely and with dignity. Sometimes they attend worship services. Sometimes they just drift into our courtyard on Sundays and have a free cup of coffee.

It is just better to treat with respect anyway, no matter what the situation.

[Tsiyu]

5. "There but for the grace of God go I"

Or some such.

Brought tears to my eyes, yelladawg.

Imagine if all the well-heeled and coifed and fed and housed Pastors decided to live simply so that these others could have just a bit more?

Trickle down, my bootie.

Thank you for being there and for noticing the small little blessings and the big fat curses.

[yellowdogintexas]

8. hey, I was weeping the whole time I was writing it. I have been

spontaneously tearing up all day, actually. In a sort of sentimental way, probably because of the dog. I never watch animal movies because they always make me cry.

I hated "Lassie" growing up!!!!

Yeah, those skanks on Telechurch are missing the point, them and their scary hair and million dollar McMansions. When I think of all the $$$ they spend on their crappy Broadway show/religious extravaganzas I want to barf :puke: ..because I know that if my church had that money, it would be for stuff like today. Or something good.

Even if it is in the Foundation, that is OK, because if the Foundation is flush, we don't have to cough up money when we need to fix something, or get a new roof, or re do the plumbing, the Foundation is there to be sure our physical plant stays intact.

We need a "big hair" Smilie, to use when we make fun of the TVangelists.

[Tsiyu]

10. Like I tell my younguns:

Tears are evidence your heart is working....

And I second that "big hair" smilie! :)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. What a moving post...thanks for this

I appreciated reading the details...I worked a non-profit event last night for people with developmental disabilities and TBI..when the conversation turned political there wasn't a person in the room who didn't share my sentiments. This administration preys on the weakest.

[yellowdogintexas]

9. Like minded folks with like minded charities

It seems that people who see the need, jump in and do it are more likely to be of the same bent as we are..

awkwardly said, but I hope you get what I am trying to say.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

11. kick for this great post