Men's Shelter

Howdy howdy~

So today I had the pleasure of volunteering at the local men's shelter.
I didn't do much, just provide snacks for the men in the evening.
But I really enjoyed my time there, and wanted to record it here and share it with you.

I first had the opportunity to volunteer at the men's shelter last year, when a call was made at the First Presbyterian Church for volunteers last year. We were to supply volunteer staff to check bags, help sign people in, supply snacks, and even stay the night.
Last year, too, I supplied food in the form of a mighty big helping of my Yayi's carrot soup and homemade corn bread muffins.

This year, due to changes with the food safety guidelines set by the Linn-Benton Food Share, they were not allowing home-cooked meals so instead I brought Cuties, a platter of cheeses, and single-serving yogurts.

I have a particular interest in and sympathy toward the homeless community here in town and liked the idea of being able to connect with them in this way, providing them some food while also getting to hear their stories.

I think some people can be rather hard on the homeless folks, not wanting them around but not thinking about where they're supposed to go then. Much less helping them. Don't get me wrong, I've seen incredible gestures of charity toward the homeless on the Corvallis Families Gift Economy FB page, for example, and there are (in my opinion) lots of resources set in place to help homeless folks here in Corvallis. I'm just always a proponent for homeless rights rather than criminalizing them.

This is posted to the inside of the front door

It makes me happy to know there's so many people willing to help the homeless here in Corvallis, and I hope to reach more with such folks through Clothing Swaps and the end-of-the-year student exodus too.

Aaaanyway, if you are interested in volunteering with the men's shelter, you can contact Corvallis Housing First or check with your church and see if they have a kind of mission outreach ministry or something.

'Til next time, take care and Happy Men's Shelter!!