One of the things I have learned over the years is that many people in need are afraid to approach someone for help because of a lack of trust.
Fear can be literally crippling. I have heard several of our long-time case managers state the same. I have heard it over and over: ‘When someone gets to know us and learns we love them, they will open their hearts and share their story.’
Our sack lunch program in Hastings is a perfect example on how we are able to get to know clients who are in need on a personal level because many of them come to us on a daily basis.
Last winter, an elderly man who came to us for a daily sack lunch made an appointment on a Friday with Phil Rosno for assistance. His application was peculiar because he requested only socks and a blanket. As we found out, no address was listed on his application because he lived in a shed five miles from the office. As it turned out the shed was demolished that very day, as it snowed more than 6 inches. He spent the entire weekend standing in a stairwell in an abandoned building.
To make a long story short, because we were able to establish a trusting relationship with this elderly homeless man, he allowed us to assist him in obtaining a VA pension and permanent stable housing. This man, who was created in the image and likeness of God, is now off the streets and filled with joy.
I would like to thank Phil, who responded to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It would have been easy for him to have given the homeless man socks and a blanket without any probing questions. Because of the man’s trust in us built up over his daily visits, he allowed us to assist him in his need.
Thank you to all the agencies that are part of the Open Table Sack Lunch Program, for with your help almost 48,000 were distributed to those in need last year. We need to daily remind ourselves for whom these lunches are for. In the very words of Jesus Christ, “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me (Mt 25:40).”
Please know that you are all in our prayers!
