OccupySacto.org

By far, most of the homeless are not the obvious type -- a lot are among the 99% that truly ended up there because of the economy -- absolutely through no fault of their own. ...many only recently became homeless, wouldn't have the foggiest idea how to panhandle and aren't obnoxious, obscene or aggressive -- just suffering.

I don't intend my utilization here to become spamish -- I don't like the trashy commercial junk either.

However, I just this posted on Facebook in response to a photo posted by Sister Libby Fernandez:

It's intended to be inspirational -- I hope it is. ...you may like the suggestions at the bottom about Occupy Sacramento manning the phones at KVIE and other responsible group activities to show our permanence.

===========

I guess it's part of a psychological thing that accompanies homelessness but I've had problems in the past with hoarding. ...I just remembered that as I saw the burnt matches on the lip of the candle holder in the picture that Sister Libby just posted.

I remembered the long bitter cold nights and mornings on Ahern and North B & C Streets just wandering before Loaves & Fishes opened up, ...and a thought or feeling coursed through me that they might be used to keep someone warm for a few moments as the painful memories surged too. ...why I fixated on the burnt matches and it hadn't occurred that the candle would provide heat for hours I don't have a clue. ...but I'll never stop thinking of my brothers and sisters that are still down there suffering. Even though I know few that are currently homeless they're all still my fellow human beings that hurt as much or more than I did.

...It helps me to donate; I don't have much but my needs are pretty meager and I do have the love and gratitude inside that it helps me to express -- an excellent way toward fulfilling a deep inner, personal need.

There are 11 programs to choose from at Loves & Fishes for donating. ...sometimes I might answer a special call relating to one in emergency need at the time but since "I'm not Him" the General Fund choice takes all that weight off of my shoulders. I like that too! <smile>

https://sacloaves.org/donate.php

It's not a rhetorical stretch at all to say that the programs save lives, it's actually true.

With Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving immediately on us it's a pretty special time to help. Winter Shelter used to open on the first day to go below 40 degrees. That's already passed and the replacement, the faith based nomadic Winter Sanctuary won't be open for a couple of weeks. The need is already pretty dire and I suspect it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

Our regional answer to ending homelessness: http://www.sacramentostepsforward.org is another excellent way to help and the Winter Shelter Program desperately needs it.

Please join me in helping however you can.

There are lots of other ways to help besides financial too. I just told the Sacramento County Mental Health Board that I'd like to see us helping serve a meal at Loaves & Fishes annually. ...seeing me eating in the dining room at L&F one day Sister Libby stopped to chat and said that Papa Roach had recently just served a meal and really surprised the Guests. I'll bet! ...her enthusiasm wasn't lacking any either! <big smile>

Occupy Sacramento might like to think of serving a meal annually at Loaves -- another great way to demonstrate solidarity and permanence might be to help man the phones as a group at KVIE during a fundraising drive.


Godspeed, ...love you guys,

Writing as a private citizen -- affiliations below are for personal identification only.

Frank L. Topping, Secretary
Sacramento County Mental Health Board

Member:
Sacramento County Human Services Coordinating Council
Sacramento County Mental Health Services Act Steering Committee
Sacramento Steps Forward Front Door Committee (homeless outreach -- riverbanks, alleys, under bridges, etc.)