Volunteers from Woodforest Church, Montgomery Tx, distributing donated food, clothing, water, hygiene packs, and eye glasses at Montgomery County Main Library.
You’ve seen them everywhere. Their luggage (and their badge) is the backpack. If Louis Vittan made backpacks these folks wouldn’t have them. Theirs' would be of the $10 variety that some kind soul donated and it would contain just about everything they own.
If they outgrow a backpack you might see their limo. It is normally wearing a store brand like the one in the picture. This one also carried the family pet/security personnel. Many of them have told us that they have been living like this since Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Houston area. We hear that less as time passes and, in fact, most of them seem to be chronically homeless.
The real root of this effort everyone seems to agree is an experience of my other half, Sally. She felt called to do something but wasn't exactly certain what it might be. She shared it with her ladies group and it turns out that many were having the same feelings.
In her thoughts Sally was seeing a teahouse that homeless people could drop in for a snack and a prayer and who knows what else. She expressed those feelings to the ladies’ group and got a lot of support but not much direction. Buildings are expensive and wherever you locate it, not everyone can get there. This was new ground for all of us and we really weren’t sure how to start.
If they outgrow a backpack you might see their limo. It is normally wearing a store brand like the one in the picture. This one also carried the family pet/security personnel. Many of them have told us that they have been living like this since Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Houston area. We hear that less as time passes and, in fact, most of them seem to be chronically homeless.
The real root of this effort everyone seems to agree is an experience of my other half, Sally. She felt called to do something but wasn't exactly certain what it might be. She shared it with her ladies group and it turns out that many were having the same feelings.
In her thoughts Sally was seeing a teahouse that homeless people could drop in for a snack and a prayer and who knows what else. She expressed those feelings to the ladies’ group and got a lot of support but not much direction. Buildings are expensive and wherever you locate it, not everyone can get there. This was new ground for all of us and we really weren’t sure how to start.
Second saturday out for the group. Still distributing from the back of an SUV. It got crowded. Lewis Park Conroe, Tx. I guess if you don’t know how to start you should just start in the simplest way. If you are dealing with a population that can't get around, perhaps you should take your service to them.
I have an SUV with a moderate amount of room in the back (the 4Runner in these pictures). We purchased some stackable boxes and bought some snacks, fruit, and healthy cookies. We made packages with freezer bags (known elsewhere as blessing bags) along with bottles of cold water and went looking for homeless people. Figuring that many had no access to showers (we were wrong) we also made up hygiene packs. Those contained toothbrushes/paste, toilet paper, sanitary napkins etc. They wanted them but nothing is as popular as the snacks.
We had seen them in the Library and thought we would try there. We also checked out a couple parks that had people with backpacks. We probably looked like a wagon train that day or a funeral procession for someone who was not well liked. Whatever we looked like..... we were on a mission to find the homeless.
I don’t remember how many bags we made but it was enough. If I remember correctly that was June 16th and we served 15 people.
I have an SUV with a moderate amount of room in the back (the 4Runner in these pictures). We purchased some stackable boxes and bought some snacks, fruit, and healthy cookies. We made packages with freezer bags (known elsewhere as blessing bags) along with bottles of cold water and went looking for homeless people. Figuring that many had no access to showers (we were wrong) we also made up hygiene packs. Those contained toothbrushes/paste, toilet paper, sanitary napkins etc. They wanted them but nothing is as popular as the snacks.
We had seen them in the Library and thought we would try there. We also checked out a couple parks that had people with backpacks. We probably looked like a wagon train that day or a funeral procession for someone who was not well liked. Whatever we looked like..... we were on a mission to find the homeless.
I don’t remember how many bags we made but it was enough. If I remember correctly that was June 16th and we served 15 people.
 Heritage Park, Conroe, Tx. Almost deserted streets mean that it's the weekend. |
There is shade in the parks and air conditioning in the library. Sure enough we found hungry people there. The introduction is ubersimple. We just ask them: Sir-Ma'am are you hungry? We served snack bags out of the back of the truck and for the moment that was adequate.
The second Saturday we also had donated clothing that came from people in our church. It became more difficult finding enough room in the old 4runner. That day we served 25 and I think it was the first day we went to the day labor camps.
The day laborers are mostly hispanic which required literature in Spanish. When we first went they swarmed us looking for work. Now they know why we are there and we (with the little house) are much easier to recognize. We get there late enough in the day that the ones who are getting work are gone. The ones that are left may not eat that day if they find no work.
Probably they are not technically homeless and many (most?) may be illegal. However, they are certainly poor and frequently wearing rags. A clean shirt and a snack seem to make a big difference to them. If the literature (Christian tracts) points them in the right path our purpose is doubly served.
The second Saturday we also had donated clothing that came from people in our church. It became more difficult finding enough room in the old 4runner. That day we served 25 and I think it was the first day we went to the day labor camps.
The day laborers are mostly hispanic which required literature in Spanish. When we first went they swarmed us looking for work. Now they know why we are there and we (with the little house) are much easier to recognize. We get there late enough in the day that the ones who are getting work are gone. The ones that are left may not eat that day if they find no work.
Probably they are not technically homeless and many (most?) may be illegal. However, they are certainly poor and frequently wearing rags. A clean shirt and a snack seem to make a big difference to them. If the literature (Christian tracts) points them in the right path our purpose is doubly served.
This is the trailer that we use before any construction started. By the third Saturday there were so many clothes that we put them in the back of a second vehicle. Despite our best efforts it was chaos. We realized that we needed a hanging rod to see them better but nobody had a van. What we did have was a trailer with an empty bed and a truck sturdy enough to pull almost two tons. I also had over $100 in Home Depot gift certificates because of a recent birthday. What we needed was a little house to generate room to hang clothes and work. It also made us easier to recognize.
Weight that you put in the construction of the house takes from the payload you can carry. 2X3 and 2X2 lumber used throughout. We also had Tim and Carlos who were capable and willing. They have sunk as much money and sweat equity into this trailer as Sally and I.
The first day that we took out the little house. No hanging clothes yet. I think it was the fourth Saturday that we went out with the little house on wheels. Even without a hanging rod (installed the next week) it was a tremendous improvement. You see a bunch of happy campers here.
Starting the third week we had begun to distribute over 40 snack bags. By the sixth week we counted on giving out 40-50. Bam, we gave out 60 and had to improvise to do it. We give out enough clothing that it’s hard to manage and it would be impossible without the closet (hanging rod) in the trailer.
Having more space meant we could give away more stuff. Next up came Bibles donated by our church. That led to our discovery of a widespread inability to read. The people we met were normally literate but they cannot see very well. On 7/21 we handed out about 10 reading glasses. Now I need to devise storage that can be labeled for the different strengths of glasses.
The third week. Used two cars for distribution. We don’t start without a prayer and there are plenty of them throughout each trip. Today I asked a man what he needed and he finally managed to get out “I’m broken”. Sally prayed with him and he told us of his recent problems with drugs, homelessness, and suicidal thoughts. He asked for and we thankfully found an intervention center that would take him in. We need to become more familiar with what is available. I think we lucked out in this case. Sally tells me continually that there is no such thing as luck.
Major construction completed except for one window. (done now) I've already been informed we are going to be sprouting decorations. The last really functional thing to be finished was the right window. As you can see they provide openings big enough to do the job. With the dutch door on the back we could be distributing three different things at once. I’m happy we are about done buying lumber. I would prefer to spend my money on the snacks.
These kids are secret weapons. I know that we have had 8 different kids on these trips. I become increasingly forgetful so there may have been more. If the kids have done this before, (especially if the adult has not) we ask the adults to stand back, keep an eye on things, hand out clothing or hygiene kits and let the kids shine. They have all been great.
We don’t need much of a sales pitch to move the glasses. Doing so will be easier when I get a storage system. This man had a prescription but as I recall these dollar store lenses were better than the pitted ones that he had.
Thought I would give an update (this and next five pictures) before I leave this story. We have a system now that functions as we had hoped. This spot is our first..and our last. I know that this was the start of the day as there is plenty of shade. When we drop around again about 12:30 the shade is greatly reduced and I have to drive the truck around the corner to find shade for the trailer. Another clue would have been a closeup of the people. We look far more rested when starting than when finishing.
This is one of the public parks that normally yields needy people. In this picture one of the people in the park is actually wearing a shirt that we gave him a week or so ago. Contrast to the shirt worn by the lady with her hand on the trailer. The man had no shoes. He asked for shoes and we did not have any that fit. That is one of the hard facts of life that one encounters when trying to provide this type of relief. We can only give what we have and sometimes you cannot be much help. We gave him two pairs of socks and we hope that will provide some temporary relief.
Most stories are much happier. They take a shirt or snack bag/hygiene bag and are happy to have met us. We have taken to giving non-food items out the right window and food out the left. I think since this was a public street we did not open the window on the street side. There is almost no traffic on this side street on the weekend but why not take thought of the liability.
You can’t tell from just looking at a picture but I can assure you that this is teamwork. There is room for 3-4 people in the little house if they are doing different functions.
Normally this is my favorite stop of the day. The people are thankful and friendly. I cannot recall a case where I could spot chemical abuse and they all would prefer to be working. By the time we get to the site the jobs are gone.
In this picture you can see the latest thing we have to offer. Tote bags from the same supply source some of the school systems use. They seem to be very needed and popular. I expect they will be seen again next week carried by some of the people who return.
Today we handed out over 60 snack bags. We have averaged over 60 for the past 3 weeks. The snack bags consist of a protein bar, perhaps string cheese, a rice crispy treat and a fruit that is covered to prevent contamination. This is following the nation-wide trend to reduce any risk of food contamination or requirements for food handling. Also, none of them need heat or refrigeration. I assume that will basically remain unchanged as the season changes. New ideas are happily accepted.
Houston has a law against feeding the homeless. Conroe, I am happy to say, does not. The authorities have seen what we are doing and nobody objects. We try to keep it safe for ourselves and others
The trailer is going to get a back porch and Sally wants to make it sky blue with clouds and whatever. It’s obvious that it works and I suspect that people are going to keep coming if we keep on giving.
I’ll try to return here with updates. Perhaps I’ll say so on facebook but you can certainly bookmark this blog and I hope you do.
Today we handed out over 60 snack bags. We have averaged over 60 for the past 3 weeks. The snack bags consist of a protein bar, perhaps string cheese, a rice crispy treat and a fruit that is covered to prevent contamination. This is following the nation-wide trend to reduce any risk of food contamination or requirements for food handling. Also, none of them need heat or refrigeration. I assume that will basically remain unchanged as the season changes. New ideas are happily accepted.
Houston has a law against feeding the homeless. Conroe, I am happy to say, does not. The authorities have seen what we are doing and nobody objects. We try to keep it safe for ourselves and others
The trailer is going to get a back porch and Sally wants to make it sky blue with clouds and whatever. It’s obvious that it works and I suspect that people are going to keep coming if we keep on giving.
I’ll try to return here with updates. Perhaps I’ll say so on facebook but you can certainly bookmark this blog and I hope you do.
Picture from Google advanced image search. It would be conservative to estimate that we have distributed close to 500 snack bags from our little house on wheels. I don't have a count on the other items.I think the ladies have named it the "Little House of Care" but that may change. Others in the area have distributed full meals and many times that amount. We have chosen a time to distribute that seems to be void of services by others. People serve breakfast on Saturday but not lunch. A mid-day snack is very popular. Since Sunday doesn't offer much during the mid-day either, Sally and I have taken to going out in the truck (no trailer) and we frequently feed another 20.
There was a baseball player that was active around the turn of the century. His name was Wee Willie Keeler. He was famous for two things. One was his 345 lifetime batting average. The other was his famous saying: Keep your eye on the ball and hit em where they ain't.
I think that keeping your eye on the ball means a focus on the needs we have here. With the changeover of people that we serve we don't need to expand much or expand quickly if at all. This may become monotonous to us but it's all new to someone who is coming to us just once or twice.
Hitting them where they ain't would be going Saturday mid-day when nobody else is serving and possibly some of the services that we render (reading glasses).
When I mention the project to others I tend to get two responses. The normal one is that people really like the idea and frequently want to donate items of clothing or food.
The second response is that one time per week isn't much help. I can only respond with the well worn story from the seventies:
A bunch of starfish were stranded on the beach by some weather event. Two individuals came across them. One was a "do-gooder", the other a cynic. The do gooder began throwing starfish back into the water. The cynic remarked that he wasn't doing anything that really mattered.
The do-gooder looked at the starfish in his hand and said "it matters to him" and threw it into the water.
If you are feeling generous after reading this there are some things you can do.
If you are close to the Houston Area:
We can always use T shirts or other short sleeved shirts or blouses. Obviously that will change when the weather does but I'm not sure of the needs yet. We need to have warm clothing when the weather cools down but they won't need to change as often.
I gave out all the sneakers we had. If I had more, they would have been gone also. One was still wearing insulated boots when he received his sneakers.
If you would like to donate to the cause you can send a tax exempt donation to the following address: Under Over Fellowship , Attn: Little house of Care, 600 South Frazier, Conroe, Tx. 77301
There was a baseball player that was active around the turn of the century. His name was Wee Willie Keeler. He was famous for two things. One was his 345 lifetime batting average. The other was his famous saying: Keep your eye on the ball and hit em where they ain't.
I think that keeping your eye on the ball means a focus on the needs we have here. With the changeover of people that we serve we don't need to expand much or expand quickly if at all. This may become monotonous to us but it's all new to someone who is coming to us just once or twice.
Hitting them where they ain't would be going Saturday mid-day when nobody else is serving and possibly some of the services that we render (reading glasses).
When I mention the project to others I tend to get two responses. The normal one is that people really like the idea and frequently want to donate items of clothing or food.
The second response is that one time per week isn't much help. I can only respond with the well worn story from the seventies:
A bunch of starfish were stranded on the beach by some weather event. Two individuals came across them. One was a "do-gooder", the other a cynic. The do gooder began throwing starfish back into the water. The cynic remarked that he wasn't doing anything that really mattered.
The do-gooder looked at the starfish in his hand and said "it matters to him" and threw it into the water.
If you are feeling generous after reading this there are some things you can do.
If you are close to the Houston Area:
We can always use T shirts or other short sleeved shirts or blouses. Obviously that will change when the weather does but I'm not sure of the needs yet. We need to have warm clothing when the weather cools down but they won't need to change as often.
I gave out all the sneakers we had. If I had more, they would have been gone also. One was still wearing insulated boots when he received his sneakers.
If you would like to donate to the cause you can send a tax exempt donation to the following address: Under Over Fellowship , Attn: Little house of Care, 600 South Frazier, Conroe, Tx. 77301
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