Homeless People

[belle5691]

Tomorrow morning, my best friend, and my two teen age boys with me....are going with a group of volunteers to feed homeless people. I, in no way, want to offend anybody. A church (that Im not affiliated with), has organized this and expect 500 people to be there. These are the people that live under the viaducts and bridges, and the cardboard boxes in Kansas City. The church said, and I understand this, that it's just important to talk to the people as it is to feed them. I guess my question is.....what can be good subject to talk about?

I, and my boys are concerned about upsetting someone, if we ask or say the wrong thing---like family talk---what if it's a bad situation that their family situation was bad? I guess I sound pretty stupid, but I do want to help the people, not hurt them.....

[dangerousfem]

Just do general conversation... like you would any stranger that you meet... How are you...ect.... it will be fine... don't worry.. thats a wonderful thing you guys are doing.

[belle5691]

Than,k you. I know I sound really stupid. My oldest son is so shy its horrible for him, and he wants to go do this but he has stressed enough over it, lol, that finally Im stressing now.

I (totally different story) am barely keeping my head above water, mentally and emotionally, and just really cant take the thought of making things harder for someone else now.

I thank you very much for your reply. :-)

[pepperpot]

First, I think this is a wonderful thing that you and yours are doing. Second, I applaud you on not only wanting to 'feed' them, but 'feed' their soul and concerned as well for their feelings. :)

While I'm generally not good at starting up a conversation, ..........:lol I'm just not good....I have thought about a few things to say however......it's hard......you're not stupid.....I'm just as stumped as you......but I'll give you :hug You are fantastic for doing this.....:agree

P.S. I'll keep thinking.....this may take a while....:lol

[Jackie_Blu]

You, your boys, and your friend are absolutely wonderful for doing this!
Please don't feel stupid for worrying about what to say. I think you should say whatever comes from the heart. Just giving them a warm smile and a little small talk is probably all thats needed. I was just thinking, you may not have to worry much, as if there are going to be that many people there going through a line, there may not be a lot of time for chatting. As dangerousfem said...you will be fine. Im sure when its over you and your son will see you worried for nothing. :hugs for all of you.

[Jenefer3]

I think it's great you guys are doing this. As others have said, just simple general talk/questions will work fine. For your son, a smile and a "hi" would probably do until he got more comfortable.

The first time I ever volunteered with the homeless was the Thanksgiving before I turned 17. I signed my friend and myself up and we helped cook and serve Thanksgiving dinner to them. We served them, like had them pick a place to sit and took their order (they could choose from turkey, ham, both and then various sides and drinks) and brought it to them. When I was serving this one guy, I remember thinking to myself that he seems normal, just like any other person (I know that sounds bad but that was my first experience with a homeless person and I guess I just figured they were "odd"). Some people just wanted their food and to be left alone and others just wanted to talk and talk and talk.

[buglebe]

As amazing as it is, homeless people are just like us. About 10 yrs ago my son and I were out somewhere and he ran into an old school friend of his and they talked a minute.
They were about 26 at that time. After we walked away he said he lives under the via duct under I 65. I was so shocked. He was clean and educated!

[monkeygirl]

That's great that you and your sons are doing this. I'd say the best way to talk to them is, when you can, be in areas where you're approachable (not behind a counter or serving food). I am a little quiet like your son so trust me, people will talk to you. There are great stories and interesting people from every walk of life.

[janelle]

We have the Lord's Diner here where anyone who is on hard times can come each day for a free meal. I was too busy passing out the salad behind the counter when they came through to talk to them.

They really want the food to eat so helping them with that is the most important. The volunteers out on the floor who were refilling cups of coffee and the drinks probably had the most opportunity to talk to them.

Just saying hi and hope you are enjoying your meal is a good starter. Some may want to talk and some probably won't want to. I would leave it up to them. Talking about the food is a good subject and it's a neutral subject. Good luck and it's great you are doing this, especially with your sons.

[2many]

My kids did this years ago,they will be grateful!

[atprm]

Because we are homeschoolers -- opportunities for community service are much greater than if we were public or parochial schoolers.

We just worked at Gleaners Food Bank in Ann Arbor for a day... feeding the homeless and giving out food (boxed and uncooked) to low income families.

At first it is stressful, but you get the hang of it quickly.

Remember that they were not always homeless -- that at some point in their lives, they had roofs over their heads and jobs and families to both take care of and take care of them.

Questions that would be appropriate are those you would ask a stranger in a public setting (like getting on a bus or train).

Blessings to you and your children -- it is a wonderful service experience, and one that will provide a lasting impression.

*Almost EVERY family today is 1 paycheck away from being homeless*
*Every homeless person "has a story" -- listen, you may be very impressed*

[buttrfli]

Talk to them like you would anyone else. They are just like you except they don't have a home.

[SurferGirl]

It's really a wonderful thing that you and your sons are doing?
If you can't think of anything to say at first, if you smile at them and listen to them it will make them feel better and they will talk to you.
All people like a good listener.

[Urban Cowgirl]

I think its great that you guys are doing this! If you are really unsure of what to say then I would reccommend open ended questions..that will help conversation flow. Then you can follow their lead. I would talk to them just like I talk to anybody...of course thats easy coming from me...I have a gift to gab and could easily drive someone nuts with my endless chatter!

[belle5691]

Today was a very rewarding experience. I think last night I was worried about upsetting someone if we said something about family or whatever to them, and they had had a bad family experience. I met some amazing, beautiful people today....I took some pictures today, and they had some of the greatest smiles. Thank you to everyone who replied to me in the thread.

[hotwheelstx]

I'm glad it was a rewarding experience for you. :dancing::dancing::dancing:

[Anniston]

Oh, how wonderful that it went well. Did they have the large turnout as expected?

[skyrider]

I think it is wondeful what you are doing my biggest advice is to LISTEN a lot of time they will let you know where and how to take the conversation,

[tareygirl]

I know this post may be a little late, but this website is worth checking out. I really don't like the name of the site, but it is very interesting. I really respect the people that are helping. http://www.ascendgence.com/pimpthisbum/bumbio.aspx

[tngirl]

You can make a comment about the weather. Since it is changing seasons this would be an ideal conversation opener. Or sometimes just a genuine smile and hello is all it takes to make a difference in someone's life.

[tsquared]

Most of these folks just need to know someone cares about them and when they know that then it becomes contagious and they start feeling better about themselves and looking for ways to change what is going on in their lives. I commend you all for taking time out of your day to help those less fortunate.

[belle5691]

Oh, how wonderful that it went well. Did they have the large turnout as expected?

Here is a site with video of the place we went first


http://web.mac.com/hopefaithministries/iWeb/hope%20fatih/Welcome.html

Then afterwards, because they werent expecting to get lunch on weekends, Only breakfast, we had about 1/2 what was expected, so around 250. Afterwards we went further by the river to where some people camp outside all the time and took them some food too. The church fixed spaghetti (150 lbs), green beans, corn, rolls with butter, and pineapple.

This ministry is only able to be open Tuesday thru Saturday morning, unless other organizations come in to help. So a lot of these people are on their own to find food after Saturday breakfast until Tuesday morning. There was one guy who really got to me. We got there early enough to help serve breakfast, and I love the fact that this mission gives as much as the people want to eat until its gone. So, I was helping serve doughnuts, and this guy, had to be late teens at the most, came up, They wear name tags, it can be whatever name they want to use, I saw his name, he was a very good looking young man, very nice.....and my heart broke when he only took one of the doughnuts, and I asked if he would like more, there was plenty available....and he was so grateful, and said, thank you, I haven't had much to eat....I will remember him for a long time.

There has only been one other person who has affected me like that, and he was a young man I met when I was in a hospital for depression about 8 years ago. I still wonder and think about Kyle.....and wonder what happened to him. Its like an empty spot because he was part of me during that time, 2 months, and he was so young, and so many issues then. I hope he made it okay. :-(