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 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.

As I was leaving the "Cold Weather Clothing Pop Up", yesterday morning, a gent came to me asking for blankets.Fortunatel...
10/05/2026

As I was leaving the "Cold Weather Clothing Pop Up", yesterday morning, a gent came to me asking for blankets.

Fortunately, even though all the blankets were given out (along with 3 tents), I went to the side of the Street Reach for the Homeless van for the 3 extra emergency blankets that I held back.
Asked what was needed - GOOD NEWS - our gent has been working and saving his $$ for weeks and weeks.

Was able to move into his own apartment for an overall $2K - deposit - first months rent, utility deposits ($200 for water), food, etc.

He is now down to $30 until his next paycheck in 2 weeks.

Gave him 2 of those blankets and then about what else was needed.

Using paper plates - I have you covered with plates.

Using plastic utensils from fast food restaurants - I have some mismatched silverware if no one has a set to donate.

Using plastic cups - I have mismatched glasses if no one has better ones to donate.

Has one pan - I have you covered with 4 more pans that I had been holding onto since our last two gents came to their own apartment.

I went to Walmart and purchased a pillow. Also priced dish towels, dish rag and hot pads for the oven and know that price.

Went to $1.25 Tree store and purchased one small dish detergent, a container of cleaning cloths, trash bags - tall kitchen style and black trash bags - mens 3-1 body wash & razors as I am putting together a hygiene bag with a towel and wash cloth, also priced the dishtowels, etc.

Went to Kroger to also see if they sold dish towels, etc and that is a hard no. However, I did purchase one box of tissues.

I did find a comforter, at the house, to give to him along with 2 pillowcases.

I have pulled one detergent from the "Pantry Pop Up" to give to him now. I have 3 rolls of t.p. and one roll of paper towels.

What I am now looking for - by Friday - as I have agreed to meet him again next Sunday morning.

Better sets of glassware and silverware if available.

4 or 6 bowls

Dishtowels, etc if available (mine were all too flowery for a guy)

Tall kitchen waste can and a smaller one for a bathroom.

Cooking utensils.

Broom and dustpan.

Any Tupperware type containers since I have given the last ones away and any baking type dishes.

Shower curtain.

Mat for inside the front door (wish list item but not necessary)

I will put a small food donation together for him also.

Trying to help a gent set up his own apartment with nothing but the clothes on his back and the 2nd hand bed that he bought along with a few other pieces.

I appreciate any help that might come my way. This was totally unexpected and a true blessing for this man who has been working hard to turn the page in his life story and see a great future ahead.

My thanks to all!

God bless.

Final donations came to me this morning from Susie Platt and hubby, Kyle, with more sweatpants and upper warm clothing i...
10/02/2026

Final donations came to me this morning from Susie Platt and hubby, Kyle, with more sweatpants and upper warm clothing in larger sizes. Was not able to meet earlier so this was the reserved morning.

The Street Reach for the Homeless van is now officially closed for any more donations this week.

I have a few medium and small clothing sizes to put in and then I am ready to roll!

Your donations are so appreciated and I am blessed to move them forward to those in need on Sunday morning.

The timing of this particular quickly arranged "Cold weather Pop Up" is due to drastic drop in temps that are coming our way.

Staying flexible, extending love and offering hope for the future.

God bless

09/30/2026

Once my van is full - I am cutting off donations this week!!

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Fort Wayne, IN

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