Street Reach for the Homeless

Street Reach for the Homeless All donations are now only on the north side of the City working around my work schedule pls. Thank you for understanding.

Another busy morning that began with me adding more items into the back of the Street Reach for the Homeless van for our...
10/13/2026

Another busy morning that began with me adding more items into the back of the Street Reach for the Homeless van for our small family.

Then off to Kroger (St Joe./Maplecrest Rd) for tuna packets (4) requested by my single gent on the northside (2) bananas not requested and from my house (6) bottles of requested water.

Met Karen Ann Weeks with donations - some for our small family and some - just donated yesterday by Brian Damerell.

For the small family - 2 comforters, 1 blankets, 1 set of sheets (I know there were pillowcases in there so now asking Karen to check how many as they were too far back in the van and buried for me to check). One small lamp and a set of new cookie sheets in 3 sizes. I had a pack of t.p. and Karen already has the detergent and dish soap.

Karen will visit the apartment with the gal sometime this week. We are not sure if there is an actual dining space or only a kitchen bar.

My gent that I helped on Sunday had neither. So, we are checking.

From John Hamm came 2 cases of water and then as Karen mentioned she was asked for a tarp and had none - just donated tarps went her way also.

From Brian Damerell came a few heavy winter coats and some lightweight jackets. Karen will begin passing those jackets out this weekend as the temps drop at night and hold on to the winter coats.

Working together one more time to help as many as possible. Staying busy! Feeling blessed and so very thankful.

God bless

Yesterday morning, I met my gent at his new apartment.We met elsewhere but I said, I prefer to follow you as it will tak...
10/12/2026

Yesterday morning, I met my gent at his new apartment.

We met elsewhere but I said, I prefer to follow you as it will take at least 15 minutes to unload my van into your car and then still have to unload that car when I leave.

So together we went and when I say this gent was thankful - that is putting it mildly!!!!

Dishes, bowls, silverware, glasses, tall trash can, small waste can, 2 new pillows to replace the 2 old pillows that he found, pans, dishtowels, kitchen utensils, towels, one table lamp, sheets, hygiene, broom, dustpan, cleaning supplies, etc. along with a mountain of food and drinks!!!

He invited me inside once all was unloaded. He had begun purchasing furniture before he ever got the apartment. For $100 a $1500 flat screen tv, section couch $15, tv stand $35, another tv stand $15 which he is using for a coffee table and still needs a dresser. He purchased most on Marketplace and I happened to recognize the vintage huge brown sectional couch from a thrift store I happen to know.

He was shocked by the huge amount of donations that came is way, and I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart!!

Now we begin doing the same thing for our small family of 3.

I have one smaller table lamp, a comforter (since he already had 2), I will add one blanket that Karen Ann Weeks will pick up from me, tomorrow, as I left them in the Street Reach for the Homeless van.

The have 3 towels (would like a few more) plates, bowls, etc and my list will be coming as it will mirror what was needed for our gent - though more pillows, blankets, sheets, comforters.

We also are asking for food items as we set up another pantry.

Together we are working to help as many as possible. Staying flexible!! Staying busy!!! Blessed beyond measure!!

God Bless

This morning was my final big "Krogering" shopping for my gent with the new apartment. (Friday 4x points so let's add '...
10/09/2026

This morning was my final big "Krogering" shopping for my gent with the new apartment. (Friday 4x points so let's add 'em up).

Checked the space in my old frig/freezer to see how much empty space was available.

My pizza will go to my gent (was my plan for dinner but no space for two so I will buy my own after work tonight before I go home). Different brand, different flavor, a tad bit more but I still enjoy it so there we go. Two small pot pies and cheese garlic bread to go with the spaghetti and sauce.

Bag of "clearance" cutie oranges, butter, lunch meat, cheese, maple sausages (precooked) to go with the pancakes/syrup and a box of powdered donuts.

My last trip will be a gallon of milk and bread (possibly juice but I have not decided).

Small family from the motel will be next as well as the "Food Pantry Pop Up" soon. For the small family, I have two more small wastebaskets, storage containers, more dish towels, t.p, paper towels, kleenex and a few more pans. They have received plates, bowls (tableware), some silverware. They will need food to start their pantry (applying for food stamps today and disability - per Karen Ann Weeks) among other items. A list will go up next week but similar to my new gent.

Busy next few weeks without a doubt.

Together we make a difference. Together we create a ripple of change as their very own lives are also changing.

God bless.

Another night ....... budgets.....budgets....budgets.... did I mention how much I hate budget time meetings at the Fort ...
10/07/2026

Another night ....... budgets.....budgets....budgets.... did I mention how much I hate budget time meetings at the Fort Wayne City Council ....aaaaaaarrrgggggg.

Not only a long meeting, but some of the most eye rolling softball questions I have ever heard.

Obviously, one just likes to hear the sound of his own arrogant voice, as I watch eyes roll in the row of seats ahead of where I am sitting, and I am imagining someday he likewise imagines himself sitting in the mayor's chair.

For another, either braindead, asleep or hung-over last year, because half of the questions were answered a year ago sir, when you voted on the exact same thing with the exact same contracted services and why. smh

I offered a look at what Indianapolis was doing as they continue on the construction of the City owned low barrier shelter ("Housing Hub") for the tune of $37 million!!! I will return in 2 weeks with more details as 2 minutes is a short time to cover it all.

4 floors - 150 people housed on the top 2 floors - singles, couples, families and an outdoor kennel for those with pets.

$10.4 million operating cost. The state's Economic Enhancement District will help fund. I did forward that info to Amanda Fall last week since the General Assembly's $20 million is helping fund the actual construction. (F.W. asked for and received 0 funds from the General Assembly).

Indy has pulled reducing homelessness to a high priority for that city. They had a goal of placing 300 peeps into housing in the first year and fell short at 259.

Another, non profit, Street to Home, targets encampments and visit personally. They target one encampment at a time and when all have been placed in housing, move to the next targeted encampment. When the immediate downtown area was targeted 66 people were moved from the sidewalk, a tent, a bench and into a home.

I rode in the elevator with Rohli Booker - 6th District City Councilwoman and we reviewed some of those facts. Along with what I will include in 2 weeks about another nonprofit, Safe Parking, and what they provide. I will give her my Indianapolis Business Journal after that meeting.

Loooong night!! Staying flexible!! Advocating for our unhoused neighbors every 2 weeks.

God bless.

Another busy morning.First, at 9:05 a.m., I shopped Kroger at the St. Joe/Maplecrest Rd for the final items for our sing...
10/07/2026

Another busy morning.

First, at 9:05 a.m., I shopped Kroger at the St. Joe/Maplecrest Rd for the final items for our single gent on the north side. I bought 4 tuna pouches last night and then this morn, the requested bananas, bread and a surprise clearance roast beef sandwich on a pretzel bun for just $2.70.

At 9:30 a.m. I met Ruth Nix at the CVS at the same corner. More donations for our gent in the new apartment. Some items were duplicate but already have a new home.

At 9:45 a.m. I met my gent on the northside with the food.

Drove to the $1.25 Tree store to buy a $5 broom (so much for $1.25) for our gent in the new apartment and then moved to a different area of the parking lot to meet Karen Ann Weeks as we are helping the small family in the hotel. Talking with Karen, I learned this small family has been on a waiting list and should move into a small apartment downtown in the next few week.

Besides food, plates, bowls, start of silverware as more will be coming, 3 towels and 3 washcloths were given in advance, so they have some items when they move in.

Together we serve. Together we make a difference with you help and donations. Together we show God’s love for all.

God bless.

Busy morning. Helping our small family, my new gent in the apartment and now my gent that I have been helping on the n...
10/06/2026

Busy morning. Helping our small family, my new gent in the apartment and now my gent that I have been helping on the northside is also asking this morning as I have come to the computer at the library.

Will meet Karen Ann Weeks in the morning for the small family. I changed what they are getting this time. I have the loaf of bread, peanut butter, one box of cereal and soups from John Hamm, lunch meat, sliced cheese, cutie oranges, a bottle of juice and I cruise the deli aisle to search for clearance food. Score!!! $10 pork roast with apples for just $3.70 match that with another can of baked beans and a pack of instant noodles and we have a full dinner.

For my gent moving into the apartment. Shopped last night and one more can this morning. He will have a stove and oven. So...... 2 cans of spaghetti sauce and one box of thin spaghetti, I will get cheesy garlic bread to go with and most likely an "on sale" pizza. I know he has a cookie sheet as he already told me so I am planning on him using that. I have 2 boxes of cereal, one oatmeal, canned goods, tuna packets and canned goods. Also bought 2 half liters of soda, pancake mix and syrup (obviously will purchase a flipper spatula for the pancakes). I have one pack of hot dogs.

For my single gent on the north side, I may need to shop again, tonight, as he is now also asking for more canned goods, etc and my stash is fairly depleted. However, said he loved the tuna packets from last time so more of those along with another loaf of bread as the other is nearly gone.

For my gent in the new apartment, I shopped my own The Salvation Army of Allen County store on Lima Rd as I can shop on my day off and receive my employee discount. 4 matching glasses, 4 heavy bowls and large bag of silverware so the place settings are now covered when I combine with the plates. I will give him one of my can openers for opening the spaghetti sauce.

Working to help as many as I can this week even with one more request that I will fill tomorrow morning.

Staying busy!! Staying flexible!!! Blessed beyond measure!!

God bless.

Yesterday morning was the announced (surprise for many) of the "Cold Weather Clothing Pop Up" in Freimann Sq. as I joine...
10/05/2026

Yesterday morning was the announced (surprise for many) of the "Cold Weather Clothing Pop Up" in Freimann Sq. as I joined Freimann Sq Ministries shortly after 7:30 a.m. for set up.

My sincere thanks to all who helped carry everything from the van (reparked 2x to get closer than my original pull in) into the park area.

No photos but for those who had seen the back of the Street Reach for the Homeless you are aware that nearly 200 clothing items were packed (XS - 4X), 14 blankets, 10 refillable stainless steel bottles, 7 tarps, a collection of ball caps and winter hats (winter hats taken first by most). For a gent who arrived late and wanted one I found one more in the chaos of my front passenger seat.

Most were looking for the sweatpants, light weight lined and unlined jacks that I brought and hoodies and grabbing the insulated unders and heaviest long sleeve pullovers
For the gent who now has his apartment and arrived late 2 blankets came from the van and 3 tents for 2 gents and a gal.

Large trash bags and smaller shopping bags were handed out to help carry items. Some took only 1 or 2 times through the lines and others (at the end) shopped to their hearts content.

I left with less than 30 clothing items at the end of the day. I consider that a success and I promise you peeps were thankful.

Often said thanks, gave a hug, etc. as the timing could not be more perfect that yesterday morning was!!

I thank each of you so much, on behalf of myself and the others who received items yesterday, it was a God send with cooler weather coming and bringing the hope of warmth.

Together we have partnered to help each other and so many are now going to be blessed through your caring and generosity.

God bless.

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