Local Homeless & Community Help
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Ghandi
We are located in a very deprived and dilapidated part of town, that is no secret. Our storefront is safe, sound and fun to visit, but when you come, you will surely see lots of poor and helpless people, as this is the part of town they seem to come from. Don’t be worried. Don’t be afraid and try not to panic. Instead, smile and say hello and they will do the same.
Just like you and I, these people want a good life. Not unlike you or myself, they want a decent life for their children, their loved ones and themselves. What is the main difference then, between these people who sleep on the street and ask for free food? Choices, luck, circumstance and heritage. If not for your choices, luck, upbringing and how it affected you or I, we too might fall short on our luck and be in their situation.
Once you find the realization that bad luck and circumstance could come upon any one of us, you may find it in your heart to be a bit more compassionate for these men, women and children who live amongst us, walk between us, beg before us. After you have come to accept and understand their plight, maybe see what you have in your life that you could give up to these people to make their lives a bit better place to be.
Whether it be food, clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, toiletries or any useful small household item (most live entirely out of a shopping or mobile book cart and their whole lives must fit inside it) you may feel free to drop it by the storefront any time we are open and we shall pass it on, free of charge to our neighbors. We also give free toys, baby clothes, formula, lotions, hotel soaps and bath items, and whatever they ask for, to the homeless and helpless people who come into the store. They are very grateful and gracious and we find it a privilege to have been of help to them.
When you do come to visit our storefront, you will notice right away that the people who come there barely have money to feed themselves, let alone buy a collectible or antique, therefore our presence in this community is one of charity, not necessarily a good business venture. We realize that if we are so lucky as to break even with our rent, utilities and labor, our battle if half won. Our goal then is to better the lives of the people we embrace daily and brighten the smile of even one of their small children.
If you should feel so inclined to share your abundance with any of our neighbors but don’t have the ability to drop your items for charity at our store, please feel free to e-mail or call us for a pickup whenever it is most convenient for you. Remember, “There but for the grace of God, go I.”
Jennie, Sophie, and Crew
