Homeless Shelter

Little One and I worked at the Homeless Shelter tonight. Our family is on the "emergency" list, meaning, when someone says they will work, and they cancel, the Shelter calls us. There are two ways to help at night. You can cook supper, serve, wash dishes and clean the kitchen from 6pm to 9pm. Or you can sign people in when they arrive and do the laundry. That task runs from 6pm to 11pm. 9 times out of 10, I opt for the supper duty -- primarily because of Little One. I have done sign in/laundry before, and enjoy it, but the earlier is the only one when you've got kids.

I first helped when she was 7 and we helped as a family starting when she was 8. It's amazing to see the change in her level of helping as she grows up. When she was 8, she pretty much scooped desserts into bowls and then went to play with the homeless children. At 9, she advanced into preparing glasses of tea. Tonight, her friend who is very bright came to help with her parents (the family from Newfoundland) and the two girls selected the green vegetable (cole slaw); prepared it (made the dressing and mixed it with the cabbage mix, pre-bagged); plated desserts; filled the ice bucket; filled the cups with ice; served the desserts and drinks; carried pitchers through the dining room to offer refills; found the mop and cleaned up a spill; carried bus pans; rinsed dishes; ran them through the automated dishwasher; and put dishes away. They were actually, real HELP. For the first time since I've been helping there, we finished early. In case you wondered, we -- the adults -- weren't idle, even though it sounds a little like we were. We prepared the meal, served it, cleaned the pots and pans, and put food away.

BTW, the friends from Newfoundland were pretty much shocked by the Shelter -- by the volume of people. In our little (tiny, actually) town, we had 24 people there to spend the night tonight, and it's usually more than 30. Even though Newfoundland runs an 18% unemployment rate, they don't have homeless people like this. Now, I know they have social medicine and extensive government support, but I am not sure I understand why they are able to keep people off the streets and we can't. But then, I don't know anything.

I am so glad our Shelter is as nice as it is; it is a pleasure to go help. The people are appreciative, (though of course that's not why we do it ) and it's a great reminder of how blessed we are (which is probably closer to why we do it). If you're ever feeling sorry for yourself, head on down to your own local Homeless Shelter. It's a great wake-up call.