Reaching out to those less fortunate

As promised a few days ago, I am writing this blog post about the Sandals Church Local Outreach Ministry. This is a ministry of Sandals Palm Avenue Church.  Don and I have been involved for about three weeks. We meet Thursday evenings and go to various parts of Riverside to provide food and hygiene items to homeless people.


It’s not our first time ministering to homeless people through Sandals Church. From 2005 until 2007 we were involved with a team of Sandalites in the Path of Life Guest Chef program. On Sunday afternoons, before Don and I attended the old Sandals 7 p.m. service, we would go to a shelter for homeless families operated by a non-profit organization called Path of Life. We would prepare a meal for 25 to 50 people, and we would eat this meal with them.


But some in our team grew weary of doing this and decided to take the team to the shelter for single men and women instead. Here we had to feed many more people, and the team often couldn’t join in the meal with them lest we run out of food. Don and I also often had to leave for church before we were even done feeding them. So, our time in this ministry after the move was quite short. We instead became involved, for more than 10 years, in the ministry of greeting people. This ministry we decided not to pursue further when we left Sandals Hunter Park Campus at the beginning of 2019 to attend Sandals Palm Avenue.


We left Hunter Park because I feel one church leader there (not Pastor Matt Brown) has created a toxic atmosphere there. But we believe, as it says in Romans 8:28, that God works all things for good in those who love him. The door at Hunter Park is closed, but we have found a wonderful new church home at Sandals Palm Avenue. That’s why we decided to get involved with the Local Outreach Ministry, which is headed by the former Palm Avenue Baptist Church’s last senior pastor, Albert Shade.


About 10 to 20, possibly more people get together at Sandals Palm Avenue 6 p.m. almost every Thursday. We divide into several teams, each taking food, hygiene items, bottled water, pet food and Bibles to different locations in Riverside that are known homeless hangouts. In the first two times I have been involved, my team went to a specific area on the east end of Riverside, where nearly 30 homeless people camp every night. More recently, I went with a different team (my husband Don and one other man) to two parks in central Riverside.


 I found out recently this ministry is part of a greater initiative sponsored by the City of Riverside to try and end homelessness. It’s hoped that as faith-based organizations such as our Sandals Church ministry form relationships with these homeless people, we can encourage them to take advantage of opportunities to get off the streets. I hope we can.


These homeless people seem deeply appreciative. On my last trip to East Riverside, as soon as we were on the street, about five of them ran across from the other side, asking for the food and water. This is a pleasant contrast to some of the individual panhandlers I have encountered, who decline offers of warm leftovers from a local restaurant. All we are giving these East Riversiders is Top Ramen and a few snacks, and you’d think from their appreciation it was steak dinners.


 I’ve been disappointed several times in the past when a panhandler declined an offer of food.  And by one who accepted that offer but told us a story about how he ended up homeless to gain our sympathy. We later found out he would be in much better shape if he wasn’t battling an expensive drug habit that he stubbornly refuses to give up.


I only know the story of one of the people in East Riverside. She became homeless after her husband died. She’s not quite old enough to draw Social Security and what she receives as a widow is inadequate. She’s on a waiting list to receive some kind of housing assistance from Riverside County. I hope that she soon moves from her street tent to a better place. I hope that for all of them, even if their story isn’t what I want it to be. I hope in the meantime, through my church they can see the love that God has for them.


And I ask that when you encounter a homeless person, don’t give them money. That may do more harm than good. But do respect them as people, and if you can safely do so, offer them food. Offer them prayer also.


Lastly if you have some time, find other ways you can help them. In Riverside, City Hall can tell you who besides Sandals is involved in the Love Your Neighbor ministry and the specific ways each group helps. The city recommends those who want to help with this initiative contact the mayor’s office by email at 2Mayor@RiversideCA.gov.


 If you're reading my blog and want to help those in need in another city, contact your local city hall. Most cities are smaller than Riverside and do not have initiatives specifically to help homeless off the streets, but may have or know of local non-profits in the city who are trying to help. Since I am a resident of Jurupa Valley, the city across the river from Riverside, I will list its City Hall phone number, (951) 332-6464.