Tossing out a Sandwich

Have you ever heard of people that help out at shelters by handing out sandwiches or blankets?  What about the people that go out on nightly missions to abandoned buildings or areas with tent cities to give out sandwiches?  And don’t they usually say they are saving lives or helping people in need?

I just don’t agree with this way of dealing with people in need.  I think the folks that get tied in to this approach are being misled. People in need don’t deserve a sandwich tossed out to them as we would toss a milkbone to a skinny dog at the side of the road.

What we should be doing is sitting down, one on one, with people and finding out what they really need.  Sure, let’s get going right away with the nutrition.  Maybe in a soup kitchen format we can provide the nutrition but let’s also sit down with them and take the time to talk.  Do they need help finding a job or place to live or a shower and fresh clothes?  Do they need medical or mental wellness help?  Do they need groceries or something for their children?  What do they need and how can we take measurable steps to assist them. 

This is what I would like to see but it takes the dedication to being with people one on one and hearing their stories and learning about them.  It’s not about predetermination or guessing what they might need or thinking they need what we would need.  And it isn’t about politics. 

There are several places in the metro St Louis area that actually work with individuals to help them reclaim their lives.  They are able to become whole again, get jobs and/or medical help they need and totally deserve and they can achieve dignity once again and take care of their families.

Let’s look at these people in need as we would our own family members.  Let us see them as individuals and as people that want and deserve to regain their dignity and maybe their health.  I view them this way and I hope others will too.