Bread and Coffee

As some of you know, I have a burden to help others. Recently, I have been compelled to help some of the underserved in Lawrence, Kansas. Some folks in our faith-community (University Church) also have this burden. Through their contacts they arranged for us to receive baked goods from Panera Bread on Saturday evenings. This past Saturday we received our first donation from Panera. We received about 45 pounds of bread. We brought it back to the ministry center, sorted it, grabbed the coffee and hit the streets of Lawrence.

We visited a couple shelters hoping that the men and women there could help us locate folks who would be sleeping out of doors. In doing so, we met some wonderful people and heard some of their stories, frustrations, dreams and wants. In good faith we provided bread to the shelters for their Sunday morning breakfasts.

After talking to the folks in the shelters, we went to the places indicated by the men and women we met at the shelters - South Park, the alleys and under the bridge. We left bags of fresh bread where we knew people were staying. We talked to all the folks we saw. All in all, it was a learning experience. One that will help us better know how to serve our community next week.

Salt n' Peppa'

Lawrence was ranked as the second meanest city towards the homeless in the United States by the National Homeless Coalition. That is staggering when I know that there are dozens upon dozens of organizations and agencies that work hard to meet the needs of the homeless in the Lawrence community. So, being naïve, I decided to do something. I have begun asking the homeless what they need.

This is how I met Salt n’ Peppa (this is one of the ways in which the two gentlemen refer to themselves). What I learned in the conversation with them is that some type of “safe place” is needed for the homeless – especially on Friday and Saturday nights. A place away from the police who are required by ordinance to remove them. A place away from small groups which, encouraged by inebriated bravado, choose to beat them for sport. Another thing I learned is that “the food is crappy.” This is interesting since there are several agencies that exist to feed the homeless community. Salt n’ Peppa’ indicated that the food was readily available, just crappy. They identified L.I.N.K. (Lawrence Interfaith Nutritional Kitchen) as the best place to eat. So, I’m going to L.I.N.K. to see the level from which better food must emerge.

Salt n’ Peppa’ indicated that a “hospitality house” would be most welcomed by the homeless – a place where they could get a healthy snack and something cold or warm to drink. They also indicated that semi-permanent housing (maximum 6 month stay) would be helpful.

We are taking all this information and going to do something meaningful with it. Our community exists to help and love the “unwanted” of our society. The next time you are wandering the street, stop and ask the homeless person how you can help them. Then do something about it.