The
Word from the Streets - December
18, 2002
 The
theme of today's street meals is that of grace. Here
we were back at Peachtree and Pine after a successful
holiday street meals we did last Saturday. There were
several men that had to tell us how grateful they
were to receive all of the goodies on Saturday. On
a few occasions today, there were people that had
missed out on the lunches and someone shared what
they had with them. Our Shirley lately has
been pretty strung out on drugs and has been very
demanding. Instead of others being ticked off at her,
they show such care and concern for her. There is
such community out here on the streets. We are so
grateful that they take us in as their friends. Each
week our bonds get closer and more plentiful with
our guys on the streets.
Today was a success in the book department for me.
Not only did I have several requested books for certain
individuals, but I ran into all of the guys I wanted
to.
Central Park is becoming more and more interesting.
There is a community here and they are tight with
one another. Each visit is longer than the last. People
here really want to connect and talk to us. Chris
was one of our new guys today. He expressed how grateful
he is and how God takes such good care of him. He
said "God has a plan for me and I'm ready for
it".He asked us to put him in our prayers. When
I returned to the others from delivering lunches,
Ganesh Giri and others were huddled around Jerome.
Jerome's story is interesting. He's been getting lunches
from us for years. Throughout this time he has not
uttered a word to us. Today he was so moved with gratitude.
He said' Y'all have been coming around giving us food
and kindness for years...I want to tell you how grateful
I am...You're like a mother, always here for us."
With this "mother" comment we all had an
eye exchange amongst us. Oh yeah...This is the Mother's
work! Jerome had a life-threatening mugging recently.
He has a scar that runs from ear to ear on his neck.
He reminded us of our kindness we showed him in the
past. He said "one time I needed two lunches
because I was so hungry...y'all didn't even hesitate...you
gave me two...I've never forgotten that kindness...God
bless you all."
Our Curtis at Woodruff Park told us that he's
going to go to his hometown for Christmas and surprise
his mother. He hasn't talked to her for four years,
and said he wants to show her what a good man he is.
So many of these delightful men touch our hearts so
deeply. We are so grateful to serve.
Namaste,
Sadhu
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Street Meals
helps alleviate hunger for the homeless population in
Atlanta. Every Tuesday from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., volunteers
prepare meals at Kashi Atlanta. The next day at lunchtime,
we distribute 300 meals or more in downtown Atlanta.
Street Meals is supported by a dedicated corps of volunteers
who are committed to seva - selfless service –
as an extension of their yoga practice. Teaching people
about the joy of community service is a part of our
commitment.
We have just begun. We are working with different shelters
and organizations with similar goals to expand the assistance
available on our streets. We believe that there are
no throw-away people.
We also need financial contributions. We can feed someone
a good meal for $1.00, so no donation is too small or
too large.
We need volunteers to help make and distribute meals,
to organize pick-up and delivery of food donations,
to pick up donations, and to shop for food that hasn’t
been donated. You can also sign up to donate any of
the items above, make cookies or muffins, get your employers
to donate, or find us a source for bread, chips, drinks,
and other food. Get involved and you really can make
a difference. Learn to live from the heart and give
from the heart.
For more information about Street Meals, contact Ty
Mahadev Bittner, our Service Programs Coordinator.
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