I arrived at the municipal parking lot at 5:45 to find Barb, Brent, Dani, Karen, and Mike there with both vans. They were talking with YG. I hadn't seen YG for quite a while. He is one of our success stories. He had been living in his car and staying at the shelter, but Plymouth Street Ministry helped him find a program that gave him housing, and he has stayed off the street for some months. He is doing well, still has his place, and stopped by to say hi.
It was cold tonight--in the upper twenties--but not bitterly so. It was warm enough that people were willing to stay and talk for a little. BK came by and talked with Barb for a very long time. She thinks she will have an apartment soon. We hope it all works out and that there are no snags. We had many visitors in need of one or more items of winter clothing. Two different men needed socks. A man needed gloves. A woman needed long underwear and a hat. Another man asked for a sleeping bag. Yet another requested a warm sweatshirt. Still a different man asked for a coat. We met all of these needs except the sleeping bag, and we will try to have one with us on Tuesday for the man that asked for it.
Since I mentioned asking: Ask, and you shall receive! We have been low on our supply of water bottles and put out a request for more. Tonight, Sheila stopped by with four cases in the trunk of her car! Thank you, Sheila! A little later Jens, who has been away from Eau Claire for college but still maintains our web presence and Facebook page, also came by. He is back for the weekend and brought six additional cases of water! Thanks, Jens! All that water will go to good use.
Just before we left I heard a disturbing story. A woman we have helped in the past has slipped back into her meth addiction in a big way. She has led an awful life and was sexually trafficked since she was very young. She didn't stop by, but one of her friends did and gave us the news. We are worried about the welfare of her three young children, and are trying to learn more and to get the appropriate help to her and to her children.
We left around 7, which is opening time for the homeless shelter across the street from the parking lot where we work. I didn't take a careful count, but I'm guessing we served around 30 people tonight.
One final note: During the Christmas season many people are reminded to think of the poor and homeless. We are now near the end of January, the poor are forgotten by many. Winter is nowhere near over, and there are still many needs. As always, and especially at this time of the year, please pray for, and care for, the poor.
George
It was cold tonight--in the upper twenties--but not bitterly so. It was warm enough that people were willing to stay and talk for a little. BK came by and talked with Barb for a very long time. She thinks she will have an apartment soon. We hope it all works out and that there are no snags. We had many visitors in need of one or more items of winter clothing. Two different men needed socks. A man needed gloves. A woman needed long underwear and a hat. Another man asked for a sleeping bag. Yet another requested a warm sweatshirt. Still a different man asked for a coat. We met all of these needs except the sleeping bag, and we will try to have one with us on Tuesday for the man that asked for it.
Since I mentioned asking: Ask, and you shall receive! We have been low on our supply of water bottles and put out a request for more. Tonight, Sheila stopped by with four cases in the trunk of her car! Thank you, Sheila! A little later Jens, who has been away from Eau Claire for college but still maintains our web presence and Facebook page, also came by. He is back for the weekend and brought six additional cases of water! Thanks, Jens! All that water will go to good use.
Just before we left I heard a disturbing story. A woman we have helped in the past has slipped back into her meth addiction in a big way. She has led an awful life and was sexually trafficked since she was very young. She didn't stop by, but one of her friends did and gave us the news. We are worried about the welfare of her three young children, and are trying to learn more and to get the appropriate help to her and to her children.
We left around 7, which is opening time for the homeless shelter across the street from the parking lot where we work. I didn't take a careful count, but I'm guessing we served around 30 people tonight.
One final note: During the Christmas season many people are reminded to think of the poor and homeless. We are now near the end of January, the poor are forgotten by many. Winter is nowhere near over, and there are still many needs. As always, and especially at this time of the year, please pray for, and care for, the poor.
George