We used the Freightliner Walk-In Van. (Ours is similar to the one you see in the pic.) The one we have is about 15 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 10 feet high or so. (My measurements may be off a bit.). The model number for ours is MT-14FD.
This vehicle is an M-Line, Truck, 14,500 lb gross vehicle weight rating, Forward engine, Diesel Engine. It handles like a dream. It accelerates fairly well, possesses a turn radius that is a bit smaller than I expected, and it handles inclement weather with ease. I've driven that bad boy through rain, sleet, snow, hail, baking heat and heavy traffic. It always answered the call.
On top of that, the last few years when we've had wildfires in the local area, the Salvation Army staff has used it on the front lines to provide spiritual support, hot and cold beverages, meals and even some light first aid.
On 6 June, I did my last "soup run" for the local Salvation Army station. It's been three years of helping, and I gladly admit it was an enjoyable season in my life.
It all started in February of 2011. I'd just gotten back from my final deployment before retirement. A few months before, my divorce was finalized. So, there I was - no wife, no job, no direction for my life.
A friend from church was already running errands for the local branch of the Salvation Army. He usually volunteered on weekends, gathering bread for the homeless and others in dire straits. I got a chance to ride shotgun with him a few times before my deployment, so I was able to easily re-join to help him upon my return. As I got back into civilian life, working with him led to my meeting the receptionist at SA.
The receptionist, Teresa, was one of the most grounded Christian women I'd ever met. A little while after we met, she asked if I was up for an adventure. She had spots open for drivers, folk who would escort volunteers from various churches in the local area. We'd meet at the SA location, get the food and supplies onto the canteen, go downtown, fellowship with folk, pray with some, encourage others, then come back to "home base" to clean everything up.
Digression - how many of you have heard this rationale? "I'm gonna take my kids this Thanksgiving/Christmas to a homeless shelter to volunteer, serve some meals. Maybe it will help my children learn how blessed they are."
Digression 2 - how many of you have said "we gotta get the homeless off the streets, get 'em jobs, get 'em contributing to society."
I went into this effort so naïve. I went downtown to help people, and perhaps "fix" a few. I had plenty of time, and needed a place to belong. I am convinced God wouldn't have given me free time without a reason, a purpose in which to use the time allotted.
In my immature thinking, I was gonna personally get a few folk off the streets (and no doubt pat myself on the back for making the world a better place). In a very subtle way, our customers let me know from the start they weren't anyone's object lesson nor object of pity.
Our customers were unique individuals, with distinct value systems & beliefs. There were military veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder issues. There were women and men who'd left abusive relationships, but didn't have anywhere else to go for shelter. There were folks who hitch-hiked here from other states looking for construction work or other employment opportunities. Some were just enjoying life "off the grid" - they didn't have any bills, any bosses or any hassles. Some had good jobs at one time, were living paycheck-to-paycheck, got overextended financially, then ended up out on the street. Some were so well-versed in Biblical matters, they could discuss doctrine on a par with virtually any ordained minister.
Some wanted help, and we were able to help a few. Some just wanted to be acknowledged as living beings on the earth. A few were small-time hustlers, like in any other large gathering. Some just wanted a hot meal or a cup of coffee. We had that too.
I learned more about life talking to our customers downtown than I learned in a hundred formal meetings in office buildings from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. I got to see up-close better examples of fellowship, loyalty and integrity on the street than I've seen in many churches, offices, etc. Our customers showed me places where I fell short in life and attitude. Cool thing was, they weren't heavy-handed about it. In the final accounting, I got more from them than they did from me. They embraced me and helped me grow up a quite a bit.
So now, my shift is complete. I am gonna use the time to keep prepping for the move coming soon. I have no doubt God will send new volunteers to assist in this worthwhile endeavor. For me, I say farewell to Chris, Snake, Ghost, Mark, Vince, Dalton, Tom (R.I.P.) and all the other men and women I met on the street. Thanks for the laughter, the exchange of ideas, the broadening of my perspective. They helped me become a better man, because they were willing to give of themselves.
In addition, I am thankful for all my fellow volunteers. So many women and men who took time from their own responsibilities to look after total strangers. Good people, every one of them. I was honored to serve alongside all of them. Thomas, Gloria, "the three Davids", Carol and Carol, Timothy.
Furthermore, I am thankful for all the organizations that donated foodstuffs, serving resources, clothing, Bibles and other items our customers could use after the meals were served. We couldn't have gone out to help if we didn't have the support.
Now, I need to go find something productive to do in Memphis. It's a big city, so I suspect something will be revealed soon.
I write to encourage those of you who read this - seek out opportunities to contribute. Each of us has a gift that can be a blessing to someone else. Your gift is needed in your community.
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(Yes, I tweet - @SomRandomOlDude)
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