Soup truck volunteers, Dr. Alena Newton, Kira Clark and driver, Dave Burns.
Kenneth has been homeless since he moved here from Georgia last year hoping for a better life. Arriving with no winter gear he credits the soup truck for literally saving his life. "When I arrived in Lawrence," he said, "I didn't have any warm clothes, blankets or food. If it wasn't for the people who gave me these things I don't know how I would have survived."
The Lazarus House Soup Truck has been in operation since 1983 and travels through Lawrence every Friday and Sunday night in the winter. Volunteers deliver a hot meal, clothing, blankets and conversation to the homeless people at each stop. Long time volunteer, Dave Burns has been driving on Sunday nights for the past seven years and is a long time supporter of Lazarus House.
Kira, a student who was helping out for the first time observed, "At one stop a woman I had served earlier came back to the truck so she could get some more soup and a sandwich for her friend who was disabled; we gave her another meal. She wasn't alone. Several people came back to say they needed extra food for a friend, but I think some of them were just hungry and wanted to have something to eat for the next day."
"Another man," she continued, "was outside in a short sleeve shirt. It was a cold night - I could see my breath! I felt kind of sad, I'm sure he was probably freezing and he really needed the blanket that Dave gave him. It was nice to help all the people!"
At each stop everyone was very grateful for the opportunity to warm up from the hearty soup and get sandwiches and snacks, as well as the winter clothing and blankets that were given out.
Samuel, along with his son, is homeless. He has been receiving much needed assistance from the soup truck this winter and shared sincerely, "I really appreciate all the people that come out to us on a cold night and give us blankets, socks and hot soup."
Israel, 40 years old, lives in the basement of an abandoned building. Two years ago he lost his job in manufacturing and hit hard times. He has already received a few extensions on his unemployment benefits and realizes even that will end soon. Not long ago when he could no longer afford the rent for his apartment he ended up homeless. When asked about his plans for the future Israel spoke adamantly, "If I could find a job I would take anything, but I won't go on welfare. Someone out there needs that money worse than me, maybe someone who has kids, and I am not going to take money from them. I can work, I just need a job!" Receiving assistance from the soup truck helps Israel stretch his fixed income so that someday he will be able to afford a place to live and call home.
"Toward the end of the night I was glad we were getting to our last stop," Kira recalled, "because my feet were cold. Then, while handing out a sandwich to one of the people in line, I happened to look down and see that she only had on a pair of flip flops. The sandals were falling apart in the back and were so low in the snow that her bare feet kept sliding in the slush. I realized that I shouldn't complain because I had winter boots on and she didn't even have socks or shoes to keep her feet warm."
Inspired by her experience on the soup truck, Kira has considered organizing a clothing drive at her school. "I could get donations of adult sweatshirts, winter coats, shoes and especially socks. Homeless people really need these things right now to stay warm . . . there are women and men out there who are wearing sandals in the snow!"
If you would like to coordinate a clothing drive for adult winter clothing, socks and underwear or family-size shampoo, deodorant or other toiletries please email or call Kelly Townsend, Volunteer Coordinator at (978) 269-5217.
Thank you to all the volunteers that helped to make Project Bethlehem such a success, from the intake to shopping to delivering gifts to the family with so much care.
