by Volunteer, Megan N.
Part 1: The “Squad” arrives at the shelter
There is always a lot of energy when Hope Squad arrives on Fridays at Homeless Services Center. The ambulance and a few of our volunteers pull up near the entrance in their cars, opening their trunks full of plastic bins, bags of fruit, snacks, sandwiches, and thermoses filled with hot cocoa are ready to be distributed to our dear friends inside.
As other volunteers arrive, everyone is eager to lend a hand and soon, in the massive cafeteria style room inside, we’ve set up a row of tables filled with all of the food and goodies ready to be given away. One very devoted volunteer, Deb, goes to great lengths to secure cookies, donuts, scones and more from a variety of contributors. She shared today how strained many of the agencies and donors have become in these challenging times. It makes us appreciate these contributions all the more.
Many of our friends have come to expect us on Fridays and greet several volunteers by name. A long line has formed and many people express their appreciation for our being there. We take our time helping them find the right sandwich, the right pastry, a simple gesture that might somehow ease the stress and constant challenges so many of them face.
After the food is gone we wipe away the crumbs and re-populate the table with personal care items such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, Q-tips and more. Today, many friends were enthusiastic and so grateful to be able to receive a notepad and pen. It was heartening to notice the joy it brought several people to select a pen in the color of their liking. One gentleman was so delighted with his choice of orange.
As things began to wind down with the personal care items, a game of Bingo was set up. There was a table of people ready for the opportunity to win a prize – a small stuffed animal, a word search or a full-size bottle of shampoo. The game seemed to serve something we all need and desire, to feel safe enough to laugh and to enjoy positive interaction with others.
There was a young woman at the table who many volunteers knew. She has a lovely name and way about her. She shared that she hadn’t really been able to find support from the people around her there at the shelter, because “everyone is in the same boat as me.” She’s doing what she can to “get out more” and take steps toward a more stable life. Many of us will be thinking of her this weekend as well as the many other wonderful souls we encountered. Today at HSC we served 98 people!
Part 2: The team heads to the street
After a short midday break where deeper connections were made among the volunteers, we moved on to Cotton St. where our outreach finds its home at the end of the street in a corner lot.
The Hope Squad ambulance is opened up in such a way to appear like a store filled with sweatshirts, hats, gloves, boots and other warm layers. On a table nearby is an array of knit hats that, every so often, appear anonymously at a church location where we organize our donations. They are beautiful!
Other tables are set up to distribute warm meals and more pastries. Today’s meal was fish and chips along with turkey and bean soup. As the people begin lining up and making their way through the cafeteria style line, many are still suffering from the cold during this ultra-long and ultra-harsh winter.
It is clear that some of the people we meet on Cotton St. have not benefited from the warmth and relative protection of the HSC shelter. In addition to the warm meal, there are packages of cereal and cartons of milk available, as well as baked goods brought over by the kind people at Bread & Friends.
It was both a joy and a sorrow to be among our unhoused friends today, to witness both tremendous beauty as well as significant suffering. Thank you to the wonderful group of volunteers who somehow manage to be both tough and tender at the same time. You are appreciated!