Our church's turn to feed and house the homeless

[wellstone dem]

This is such a week of reminder and awakening. I work with low-income people, but being in an office distances me from the reality of the lives of the people I serve. So next week I will make a meal, lasgna which is such a big hit (not the traditional caserole (hotdish here in MN.) And I will unlock the church basement for the volunteers who will stay overnight. What struck me the first time I did this was how good food tastes to truly hungry people (they liked my cooking) and how exhausting it is to be homeless (most people who walked into the church at 9, laid down immediately.) And I am reminded why I worked harder than ever before in this past election. Hopefully the new democrats elected to the state legislature will make a difference.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. God bless you.

You know, over Thanksgiving there's usually something on television about feeding Thanksgiving meals to the poor. I saw nothing. I guess along with other Christian practices, this is a tradition which has passed its time. Thanksgiving is now just the first day to the count-down to Christmas for shopping.

[wellstone dem]

2. Our church consciously chooses

the first week of advent to do this work. It is an effort to remind us of Christ's parents who were homeless and seeking shelter.

[wildeyed]

3. I registered homeless voters this past election.

Tired. They all seemed really tired.

I can't understand why we let this continue. We are the riches country in the world and we let people live on the streets, often families with children.

[homeless2006]

4. I was a homeless woman

I was a homeless young woman at the age of 19.  I am now 21
and currently attending Job Corps.  For those between 16 and
24, and are homeless, there is a place that will help you
learn skills for in the workforce and they will help you with
housing, and that place is Job Corps.  We want to keep our
youth safe and off of the streets, we need more programs for
those younger than 16.  I managed to be homeless and go to
school everyday during my senior year of school at age 19.  It
is possible to do the impossible, I am proof.

[rainydaywomyn69]

5. Good for you; I think it was started by Clinton

and teaching someone a trade is a great way to ensure their financial independence. It's like that saying about teaching someone how to fish vs. giving them one. The former is okay, but the latter is lasting. Good luck on your future...