A few years ago I started taking used clothing to a homeless shelter in Indiana. It wasn’t a big deal, just sharing some things that no longer fit. I mentioned this in passing to a couple of neighbors and friends and was surprised when several offered some things for me to take on my next trip. One woman even provided beautiful new hand-knitted caps for adults as well as clothing and blankets for babies. These good people continued to donate and started my more frequent runs to the shelter, sometimes with the back of my SUV packed to capacity.
I am sharing this with you today because I believe we need to be reminded that people are good. With so much bad news bombarding us each day, it helps me to think of these kind people who are helping others. It may seem like a small thing, but to the men, women, and children who are living in this shelter having nice clean clothes to put on each day is not to be taken for granted.
Haven House
I went to the shelter, Haven House, a few days ago and there were many people who were staying there because they had no other place to live. While living there residents are expected to share in chores such as cooking and cleaning. They are assisted with job applications and finding permanent housing.
As usual, the shelter was way over capacity the day I visited. The best example of what the people there are like is this man:
In the dining room which doubles as a day room, there were four rigid plastic chairs pushed together to make a bed. On the chairs lay a man who had no bed due to the overcrowding. He was covered head to knees in a sheet and his feet with his shoes on stuck out the bottom. The room was noisy and I asked the volunteer who was with me how he could sleep like this. She said it was his only choice if he was going to be able to go to work on the night shift.
Too often we take things like our beds, clothing, and meals for granted. https://crookedcreek.live/2018/12/05/home/ There are those who are struggling daily for these necessities. The good news is that there are volunteers working, people giving and men and women working when given the opportunity. Working to make their lives better.
“Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
NOTE: These are my observations and opinions. I do not represent nor speak for Haven House.
Crooked Creek by Sue Mattingly 