(All names and images have been changed to protect the dignity and anonymity of those in the following article.)

The opportunities of working face-to-face with the impoverished is one of the most endearing aspects of having been involved in Outreach. As a society, we only see those living in tents, wandering the streets, sleeping in doorways, or loudly expressing themselves to no one.

Every person has a story. And I’d like to share a few of them with you.

But we never really know who they are or how they got to the place they are at. Nor do we stop to consider that we, in short order, could end up in the same position as they are.

Every person has a story. And I’d like to share a few of them with you.

Rachael…

As the shift just closed down last week, the doorbell rang outside our front door. As the receptionist, I turned on the Ring camera to find an elderly lady on a walker seeking assistance. She was in tears, having come from the hospital, and wanted to get help with food and supplies. She couldn’t even give out her name because of her distress.

Rachael wasn’t begging. Her heart was broken.

I let the Director know this lady was directed by her to our Outreach, but hadn’t reached it in time before it closed. I told her what was going on, and we brought her inside, giving her comfort and support. She’d been dropped off, and had no means of getting home easily. She was desperate.

We gathered bags of supplies and food for her. One of the Hospitality workers loaded her car up with the groceries and Rachael, taking care to help her get home.

Rachael wasn’t begging. Her heart was broken. And, humiliating though it was, sought the warmth and shelter of the Outreach Center to gain just a little bit of her dignity back. She felt safe with the volunteers after the whirlwind of hospitalization and being dropped off in the sun outside our “Closed” sign.

Her tears told the story of someone in great need. Being elderly, it was heartbreaking to see that her personal support system wasn’t in place for whatever reason. She wasn’t at our door because she chose to take advantage of free goodies. She came because the means she had, be it her savings gone from medical expenses, a lack of family support, or the income she had was too low to support her – she came to seek solace, comfort, and necessities. To know she was important enough to someone that she would be taken care of.

In the words of another 72 year old, “If I’d know I’d be in this position, I wouldn’t have worked so hard for 54 years.”

Thomas…

The next week, Thomas and his lovely wife, Eleanor, showed up to get an access card to the services, and supplies to take home. They were on the verge of being evicted, with only 5 days notice remaining.

Even under such dire circumstances, Thomas tried to keep everything together for himself and his wife.

Thomas was unable to work. Though still fairly young, he had two heart attacks and a stroke. His wife was there to care for him, so she had little time to work outside the home. They didn’t get to the status they were at because of sloth, but because the elements of life had taken the husband’s health from him.

Seeking support from Outreach services was heart wrenching.

Working the Intake that week (in the position where access cards and personal information is logged) gave me the opportunity to interact with them. Both were lovely people who were trying to make ends meet with the small income they had.

As I entered the information into the system, I was delighted at their commitment to each others as well as their sense of humor. Even under such dire circumstances, Thomas tried to keep everything together for himself and his wife.

They weren’t lazy, either. Handing them another facility that might help with the rent situation, the wife immediately made the call to see if they could get assistance. Unfortunately, they, like the Outreach I worked for, were unable to help at that time. For whatever reason, they were meant to go through more hardship at that moment.

“No reason to get angry,” he said. “Not much we can do about it but try to make the best of the situation.”

I worry about them, but know there will be a light at the end of their dark tunnel coming soon. With their positive attitudes, it would be difficult to not see them rise out from their current position.

Richard…

Richard came to our facility to get some help. He appeared to have lost his job and was in a difficult situation. Being someone known to one of the volunteers, he came by seeking help while he tried to work through his crisis.

We’ve all fallen on hard times during our lives, so judging someone because they are struggling doesn’t help them…

It is difficult when anyone becomes accustomed to supporting themselves, only to find that their career path has been disrupted. Being fired, let go during downsizing, or health reasons, that loss of comfort both in the capacity of one’s self to make a decent income, and the humiliation of knowing that the work was no longer available tears the fabric of one’s dignity.

And turning to an Outreach can be embarrassing, especially when one of the people in your small community works there.

But Richard came, received his gifts, and was comforted by the team. We’ve all fallen on hard times during our lives, so judging someone because they are struggling doesn’t help them – it definitely doesn’t raise them out of the edge of despair they are teetering on.

Giving them sustenance of friendship and supplies provides them the support they need to empower them to overcome their present difficulty.

And Richard will overcome. He had that determination rejuvenated within him.

Even if it takes a while to help him keep afloat during that time.

Judy…

Judy was a well-dressed young lady. Her nails were done, and her clothes were nice.

But no one can appraise someone’s needs by their appearances.

She needed food and supplies. Her declared income was slightly more than my own. Though she was single as I am, she also had to pay rent and utilities from that wage.

And in today’s world, that doesn’t go very far anymore.

Lest anyone actually thinks inflation has only risen 3.1%, the fact is that the price of food has risen 74.22% cumulatively from 2000-2024.

Lest anyone actually thinks inflation has only risen 3.1%, the fact is that the price of food has risen 74.22% cumulatively from 2000-2024. But the increase in wages has only risen 47.06%. Plus, the average wage increases are lower and the price of food and other necessities is higher than last year, Those factors make someone’s ability to purchase their necessities far worse for those already struggling to make ends meet.

That difference is hitting all of us. But those who earn about what they did 30 years ago (like my retirement earnings) cannot hope to purchase what we did during those more lucrative years.

Supporting the hurting…

To support those who are hurting, we need to take into consideration our own state. Are we comfortable? Do we have enough? And were we prudent in planning for our future?

No matter what the issue, each one of us make decisions that determine that path. Some people are able to set aside money and supplies for an inevitable crises. But even with the most judicious attempts, something can come along to make all of that disappear overnight.

Knowing that we, too, are vulnerable to all that life throws at us should make us realize that many of those suffering didn’t choose their circumstances.

That realization will make us less proud in our own accomplishments and our own strengths. Life will throw us a curve ball that affects our comfort – the things over which we have no control.

Just as it has with so many poor souls now trying to survive on the streets.

Knowing that we, too, are vulnerable to all that life throws at us should make us realize that many of those suffering didn’t choose their circumstances.

We can’t judge others for where they landed. But we can give them the tools and necessities to help them on their way.

If they choose to use them.

What can you do?

Consider supporting your local Outreach program in your community. If you don’t know any, check with local churches and see if they know who is reaching out to the impoverished in your area. Once you start doing research and making connections, you will find a place you would feel comfortable supporting.

Call them and ask if they need any volunteers.If not, see if there is something you, your faith community, or you organization can do to get involved and help them.

Maybe supply food, toiletries, perishables so they can begin to rely on their local community surrounding them instead of a depersonalized government agency filled with rules and regulations. Rally a campaign to surround and support them, stirring up the reality of the needy in your local area – and which groups are trying to help them.

Get to know those in your community – especially those who live in the shadows. Once you get to know those in poverty, you will realize just how much you have in common with them.

Get to know those in your community – especially those who live in the shadows. Once you get to know those in poverty, you will realize just how much you have in common with them. They are people, just like you and me.

When you learn their story, you will understand where they come from and what their needs really are. Maybe they just need someone to talk to…a friend on whose shoulder they can cry and share their burdens.

Then help…

Perhaps they need to repair their car. house, or appliance, but don’t have the money. If you have the skills and the time, do it for them.

Getting to know them, you can also share your own journey. Between both, many lessons in life will emerge and converge. And the distance between the comfort we feel in our homes and the distress they feel in theirs will close.

And the transformation on their lives from your generosity and new-founded empathy will help transform their circumstances into one of hope and value. You will help raise up their damaged dignity by showing how much you sincerely care.

Then suddenly, their beautiful faces will become more real, just by reaching out to help.