“If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”
~ Isaiah 58:10
Every Friday, volunteers and members of Joppa Homeless Outreach of Des Moines pack their vehicles with food, clothing and other essentials and distribute them to their homeless brothers and sisters. On Friday, February 12th, Sacred Heart parishioners Laurette Scheve, Randy Schultz, Michelle McKernan, and Kathleen Chester joined them.
Joppa Homeless Outreach’s main mission is to create a community of unconditional love, support and hope for the homeless. They visit tent camps to offer food, clothing, camping equipment and other basic necessities. In addition, they say the following is very important:- Treat each person with dignity and respect
- Get to know their history, story, issues; and
- Build relationships, hug them and tell them they are loved regardless of their condition or past behaviors and mistakes.
The idea to join this effort was presented by Laurette Scheve as a possible youth group activity. “I thought a few adults from Sacred Heart should participate to evaluate whether it is appropriate activity for our youth group,” Laurette says. The general consensus from the four is that serving the homeless is not only an appropriate activity, but a very worthwhile one.
Our contribution the day we volunteered was to provide the food while Joppa Outreach organized the boots and blankets donated by various organizations. The day we joined them a local Boy Scout troop had donated several bags of new stocking hats and gloves as well as hand made Valentines.
What we found is that the homeless are well hidden among the trees and behind buildings – many times only a short distance from the passing traffic and within viewing distance of our state’s capital building.
We were given the opportunity to serve Jesus Who was present in Rita, a middle-aged woman living in a camper with her 18 cats and two dogs. We met Al, who loves to talk to the youth groups when they volunteer to make sure they don’t see the homeless lifestyle as glamorous. We met Bobby, Carol, Keith, and George. Joining us were Michelle and Bill – two volunteers who were formally homeless and previous recipients of Joppa Outreach assistance. They seemed genuinely proud to be a part of taking propane to their friends.
There is tremendous need for financial donations as the propane cost delivered during the month of February was $3,000. Propane is used to both heat tents and cook food. Apparently, just a few days prior to our arrival, Joppa organizers weren’t sure where the money would come from to supply the week’s propane delivery when a donor came through with the amount needed to cover the fuel. Youth groups and churches volunteer by providing a warm meal. Aside from nourishment the food provides, the act of serving is a witnesses to our Christian faith and of the love Jesus has for them.
We all seemed to agree that the homeless are a misunderstood class of people. It was hard for us to imagine not having shelter and not being able to provide for basic necessities.
Joppa said one of the many questions asked is, “Why are the people homeless?” They said the following: There are many reasons for homelessness, such as mental illness, loss of jobs or family, young adults with no support system, and additions. But at the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter why. These are men and women with few options. They’ve hit bottom and they need love and hope.
For more information, you can visit joppaoutreach.org or ask one of the four that volunteered from our parish.
“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha who was always doing good and helping the poor.”
~ Acts 9:36
For more photos click here: Joppa
