Click on a picture to enlarge (sorry- didn't get pics of everyone).
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Communal Digest
Why don't we all share some words about today's Turkey in the Park event by commenting below. And then let's continue to digest and think together through the week with more posts (and if you would like to become a contributor here, just let us know). What stood out to you about today? What was it like talking with our guests? What inspired you? What thoughts did you leave with? What surprised you? What did you see that worked well? What could have been improved upon? What could we do differently next time? What did you see or hear that encouraged you? What food item "knocked your socks off" so to speak? Were all the packaged meals able to be passed out later when Tyson and friends went out after we cleaned up? What was that like?
Click on a picture to enlarge (sorry- didn't get pics of everyone).
Click on a picture to enlarge (sorry- didn't get pics of everyone).
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6 comments:
This was a really cool event. Mad props to Ryan and Ann (and whoever else I'm forgetting) for organizing it, and to all the people who donated stuff, and to all the people who came and helped out. God bless you all.
Dan, John, Kristi, and I took the leftovers to the steps of St. John's, and were able to give them all away there, as well as all the water, the last couple of pairs of gloves and socks, and a bunch of clothes. I was wondering if we'd had too much stuff, but we had no trouble finding people to give it to. The only thing I had left in my car is a bunch of kids clothes. Since the people we're reaching are the ones not in shelters, and the people with kids usually end up in a shelter, I'm going to drop these off over at Loaves and Fishes this week.
Two thoughts:
Location: when Dan, Ulysses, and I were handing out blankets & flyers on Saturday night, we noticed that most of the homeless people we could find were more centrally located in Downtown and Midtown. We drove by Southside Park and that area, and didn't see any homeless people over there. So, I think that this park may have been a long way out of the way for these folks. Might be easier for them if we could find something a wee bit more north.
Greetings: We actually served a bunch of people, but there were never more than a handful of them there at any one point. This means that the volunteers always outnumbered the homeless by about five to one. We were all so excited to help somebody that, whenever a homeless person walked up, four or five of us would rush over and start trying to give them socks and blankets and food and whatever. Most of them were fine, but I do think we slightly freaked out a couple of people - it might have been a wee bit overwhelming. So, having a slightly more organized approach to greeting the people who showed up would be good.
All in all, it was a good event, and pretty fun, too.
Forgot to say: Ryan, thanks for posting the pics of my parents and of me with my Dad. I like these pictures.
Great event yesterday. As Ryan said to me at one point, "This is what it's all about." I enjoyed and was encouraged by intermingling with the guests. Most of these kinds of events tend to set up a separation between haves and have-nots, or those standing in line and those behind the line. Too bad we didn't have more free tables or places to sit. Of course, it was pretty chilly with the wind and all so pretty much everyone was standing to keep warm anyhow. I heard some crushing stories, it was eye-opening to hear about struggles that people deal with on the street. Those blankets were a big hit, an indicator I think about how tough it is to be out in the elements at this time of year.
Dittos on all Tyson's comments about location and greetings. On the location front, Cesar Chavez Park or another downtown spot would be a great place if a meal is served again in the future.
I'm looking forward to doing this again next year. I was also thinking that maybe we can do a spring or summertime BBQ? A summer love feast of sorts.
I thought it went also. I was also thinking if we did Cesar Chavez we would have a bigger turn out. I like the spring idea for another meal maybe around Easter time. Kel and I also went and passed some stuff out around St Johns. We pulled up and Kel said do you guys need any underware. They said ok! Then she said "they are new!" Then they all had a big laugh. It was funny. Also when we were pulling up one of the guys from the meal was there and was telling other friends about what we were doing. Building trust is what we need to keep doing! Praise God for all he does!
sorry typo above on my first line I left out "well"
peace
Really, so many people gave to this event. Thanks to everyone. This was truly a group effort here and I think that there is an excitment in the group over learning to care for the homeless and an anticipation for future stuff too.
I think that my favorite part of this whole event was talking with our guests. It was great to attempt to simply "see others for who they are and not where the live" by having ample time to dive into conversation. And it was fun too!!! I do wish that we were able to sit down together in order to bust up the food hand-out paradigm, but for what we had, we were able to converse with others by standing around, so it worked. And I saw so many people befriending our guests yesterday, and that was cool to watch.
As far as conversation goes, I particularly liked asking folks about their families and if they have kids and then asking about the kids just as I would for anyone else (ages, names, where they live, if he/she ever gets to see the kids, where the family lives, etc...). It is insightful to hear a person's family background and I found this to be an interesting topic with those I spoke with yesterday.
I was impressed with the creative items that showed up- deodarant, umbrellas, hot chocolate, decorated cookies, nice blankets and gloves (with $2 inside one of the gloves), toothpaste, crackers and bars, soap, a sleeping bag, nice shoes, etc... This was clever and practical thinking that really met some felt needs and put smiles on the faces of our guests. It was gratifying to see that people were truly helped.
I wonder what other creative ideas will emerge over the next days and months. I like already that someone mentioned doing a feast near Easter or one in the Summer.
The food was really good. And props to Jenny for cutting the turkey with a plastic knife.
Good points that Tyson made. I agree.
I wonder if we could ever incorporate music into the mix since we have so many people who are accomplished musicians. I wonder if Dorothy would have enjoyed singing some Christmas tunes with Erik ripping on the guitar. Maybe if we do something around a festive time of the year again, we could incorporate something like that so long as it is pertinent, with the main idea being that we can bring whatever talents and passions we have to the table and see how they can be used.
I found that as I was driving around town trying to get people to come to this meal just before our event started, that homeless folks were not too keen on getting into the truck of a stranger. I had optimistic visions of driving 10-15 guys in the back of my pick-up truck back to Southside Park, while hoping to not get a ticket, but it was a hard sell to ask someone to hop on in. Hey, I wouldn't go either with a complete stranger who could be an axe murderer or have freaky intentions. Why should I expect a homeless person to be any different?
Good point to Tyson on greeting. I don't think anyone went overboard, but I can see that in the case that we have masses of volunteers, we ought to be cautious to give homeless folks space before we invade with relationship, socks, and food.
Overall, I think everyone went all out for this and sought to find ways for how to be involved and how to meet needs and bake whatever needed to be baked, etc... Good stuff.
Lastly, to Kelly, nice words in saying that the underwear were "new". LOL
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