David
came to us looking for food. He's 51 but life on the streets made him
look much older. He would park his shopping cart in the shade of our
Thrift Store/Food Pantry and slept there at night. Thrift shop
manager, Kay Richardson called him our night guard, protecting our
properties from vandalism.
Cathy
McShane, one of our counselors, worked with David to get him an ID
card and a debit card so he could receive his Social Security
payments. He had $1600 available but could not access it without a
debit card. Once this was settled, he was able to find a place to
live.
David is
one of many people who are unaware of available resources such as
SNAP, medical care, free dental care, etc. It is easy to provide
relief in the way of food and clothes to people in need but there are
other issues that are less obvious and more important. Every person
that comes to us looking for food sits down with a social work
student. We work with the client to discover available resources and
paths to greater independence.
Most of
our social work students come from Our
Lady of the Lake University and University
of Texas in San Antonio. The students are fulfilling their field
work requirements under the supervision of our Community Ministries
Program Director Elizabeth
Cruz. The students gain valuable, hands-on experience and provide
a much-needed service to an under-resourced community.
People
come to us with a variety of needs beyond food. One woman told a
counselor, through tears, that she didn't need food. She had a job
interview but lacked suitable clothes. We were able to find her an
outfit in her size that was appropriate for an interview. Our thrift
store offers some nice items at nominal prices (most things are less
than a dollar). By charging something we take away the stigma of
charity and preserve our client's self respect. The thrift shop is
open to everyone, not just the needy. Purchases keep serviceable
items out of the landfill. Proceeds help fund the food pantry and
other community ministries.
Some
folks come in to our thrift shop in dire need. A homeless man came in
looking for some pants. He'd been wearing the same shorts for three
months. He picked out a pair of shorts and a t-shirt from the ten
cent bin. We did not charge him the the twenty cents.
Our
clients receive more than material help. I met a young man one Sunday
morning in church wearing a nice suit and some crude tattoos. He had
been referred to our thrift store by one of our deacons who
volunteers at a rescue mission. He was made to feel so welcome by the
seniors who staff the thrift store that he came to church the
following Sunday.
Come by
our store at 848 E. Drexel if you would like to volunteer, drop off a
donation or shop. We are open Tuesdays (9-4), Wednesdays (9-1) and
Thursdays (9-1). We are closed Thanksgiving week.
