The Value of Warm Feet

On a day to day basis, we worry about what we’re going to where, what we’re doing this weekend, and may be when that next paper is due. Between classes, work, and family obligations, I personally find it hard to slow down and take a minute to appreciate the aspects of my life I don’t have to worry about. I will be able to eat lunch today even though I didn’t bring food from home and tonight I will be sleeping in my own warm bed. I know where my next meal is coming and I know that when it gets cold outside, I have shelter and proper clothing to protect me from the climate. Before I decided to participate in Lesley Delivers, I lived my life aware that I was lucky, but unaware of exactly how lucky. Poverty is a scary aspect of our reality to many people because it is a threat to all. During our reflections, many people comment on how much this experience helps them to appreciate the small things in life. We talk about how even when we think we have nothing to offer, we always have the opportunity to form a bond with someone. For me, Lesley Delivers has helped me to move on from the fear of poverty and realize the humanity in it. I no longer shy away when I am approaching someone on the street; I smile and wish them a good day. Sometimes a smile and the recognition that, yes, I see you, is worth more than our pocket change. This is a lesson that, as president, I hope to provide to the Lesley community. Regardless of their condition or how they ended up there, we are all people and we all deserve to be seen.

Lesley Delivers is a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals in our community. Some people we see only once and others we see every week. Last night, we approached a man that we have routinely seen. The fact that we approached him to offer a sandwich is not new, but his response was. In all of my time with Lesley Delivers, we have always offered and he has never accepted. Just as our guidelines specify, we respect his right to decline. Last night this man accepted our food. For me, this moment showed the impact that Lesley Delivers has with this community. To accept food from a stranger, there has to be a certain amount of trust. I do not know anything about this man’s journey, but I do know that last night this man trusted us. I am also happy to add that in addition to a meal, we were able to offer this man and the other people we met last night, a clean pair of socks. We have enough socks, donated by Boston Bowl, to last through the rest of the semester! In March, during Hunger and Homelessness Week, we sponsor a panel of members of the homeless community. One of the most striking comments that a participant made last year was that a clean pair socks was the best thing anyone could offer. Because of that comment, I worked to get sock donations this semester and we will now be able to hand them out with every sandwich.

I want to thank everyone who came out last night and to everyone that supports our initiative. Coming up at Lesley Delivers is our annual Coat and Blanket Drive, sponsored by Lesley’s softball team, beginning on November 14^th. Boxes will be all around campus and we welcome all gently worn coats, blankets, and winter accessories! Also, on Tuesday, November 15^th we will be co-sponsoring a movie event with Community Service Club and Students for Social Justice. We will be showing the movie, Pursuit of Happyness, that is about a man and his young son who find themselves homeless. The movie is based on the man’s autobiography and is truly an inspiration. Following the movie, we will be having a short discussion about portrayals of the homeless and hungry population in the media. After discussing issues of poverty we will then have the opportunity to take action by participating in a usual Lesley Delivers run! All aspects of the evening are optional, but we hope that people will come to this unique event. We are suggesting a donation of a non-perishable food and in exchange you will receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win one of three amazing prizes! We hope to see many of you there!

Again, thank you to all participants and supporters for making this semester as co-president of Lesley Delivers far exceed my expectations!

- Ashley

A bread-tastic surprise

Last night we encountered a fair amount of people within the first the few minutes of our run on the stretch by CVS. I continued down the Au Bon Pain route, and noticed some of the same people I've seen out other weeks. Something that caught my attention on the way back was a huge box of bread sitting at the back of one of the entrances to the t (the one right in front of the new Starbucks and Pinkberry). It looked like it from Panera. I know Panera doesn't keep their leftovers at the end of the night, but I'm pleased that someone was willing to drop the extras off at Harvard Square, instead of throwing them out. I mean, who doesn't love bread?

Last week we also saw some food left out near the church. I kind of wish there could be one place where people knew to leave food, and then people in need would know where to go. Speaking of that, one thing that came up during our discussion was that a usually popular spot near the Tannery that has been empty the last few weeks. The group that takes that route noticed that the small area closed off by tarps and wooden boards had been nailed shut. In previous seasons we had a relationship with some of the people we saw frequently, and we knew that closed off space was a safe place to leave sandwiches, blankets, coats, or anything else we might have to offer. We had been told by people who we frequently saw on our runs that it was safe spot, and that they would get to the people who needed them.

Something else that came up during discussion was that, as you all have probably noticed, it has gotten quite chilly outside! We do have a coat and blanket drive coming up in November, and we'll pass out the donations on our runs. I think it gets even harder to see people who are without a home as the weather gets worse, and I know I'll be glad to do what I can to help, even if it's as simple as offering them a blanket with their sandwich.

Ginny

Lesley Delivers and Occupy Boston

Both groups on our Lesley Delivers Run tonight noticed that there were significantly less people in need of a sandwich. Many members of Lesley Delivers thought that it might be due to people staying at Occupy Boston. The Occupy Boston protest is a safe place where the hungry and homeless can get access to food, shelter and a medicine tent. Many also feel that someone who is homeless may feel more connected to the Occupy Boston cause. We hope that everyone who we usually see in Harvard Square is safe and hopefully has a nice place to sleep.

We also discussed when it is appropriate to ask someone if they want a sandwich. As Ashley and I went down the alley near Border Café we passed a man who we were not sure was homeless. Ashley thought he wasn’t because he was wearing nice clothes; whereas I thought he was because he had long beard and messy hair. This sparked a conversation about how we tend to judge people to be homeless based on superficial stereotypes about appearances. It could be that someone is homeless and we cannot tell while someone may appear homeless who lives comfortably in a home. The group concluded that it is best to ask and offend someone than it is to let someone go hungry.

Thanks to everyone who came out to night! We realize that it is midterm time and everyone is probably busy with papers and exams. We appreciate your time!

-Claire

Getting Into the Swing of Things!

Despite the semester kicking up with papers and midterms, we had about 17 students show up on Tuesday night, smiling and ready to go. Some of the new faces are becoming more familiar, but we're still getting new ones every week, which is fantastic. We met as usual and made sandwiches, and we also got a generous donation of fresh vegetables from a student interning at City Sprouts. A few students took on the challenge of washing and cutting the vegetables, and in no time we had salad-in-a-bag! These vegetables will last us for the next few runs because she gave us so much, which we are grateful for. We also put granola bars and juice boxes in the bags with the sandwiches, which is another great addition and will also be included every week from here on out.

When we got to the church and split into two groups so we could start on our separate routes, we encountered something that doesn't come up often. One of the younger guys who we've been giving sandwiches to for the past couple of weeks was in the middle of the sidewalk yelling at and kicking his dog. This went on for longer than it should have, and many of us just stood there frozen and staring, not knowing what to do. We handled it as best we could, and after the run Ashley made a great point that "our safety is our number one priority." Ashley reassured everyone in the group that this doesn't usually happen, but we need to be prepared if it arises again. Basically, the groups just need to remove themselves from situations such as these so we can stay safe. After the incident, we went about the rest of our route, and we were able to give him a sandwich on our way back. He was appreciative of it, and so were the other guys he was sitting with.

Seeing so many young people out on our run made me appreciate what I have, and I'm sure the other students got that too. I realize that I take for granted the fact that I never go hungry, and I never question where I'm getting my next meal from. What prompted these thoughts for me was when I gave one of the guys a sandwich and he said "Thanks, I'm gonna eat this tomorrow. I try to eat as little as possible because I never know when I'm gonna have food." That's really sticking with me. It makes me so grateful for everything that I have, and it warms my heart that we can provide some food for those in need.

-Theresa

A New Beginning

This semester for Lesley Delivers has shown great dedication and excitement already. Our first run of the semester last week had about 35 students involved, handing out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches generously donated by Flour Bakery and Cafe. The number of students that came out for this run was amazing, something that Lesley Delivers has not seen in quite a while! Having new faces in our group was refreshing, and it was clear that the experience was eye-opening for the new members of the Lesley community. New ideas were suggested and shared with the group, including extending routes to further places in Cambridge like Central Square and Porter Square. The returning members were grateful for some fresh perspectives to liven up our Lesley Delivers experience and make it something new this year. We also have sophomores and a junior, Theresa Powers, Claire Enderson, and Ginny Trufan, who have stepped up as role models and leaders for the new students, and have led by example of how to complete a Lesley Delivers run. As students who grew to understand the values of Lesley University through this program, returners were excited to see new students grow familiar with the idea of connecting with members in the community and erasing stereotypes of people who are hungry and homeless. Hearing new students say, "Wow, that man was really nice!" and see them become exposed to the harsh realities of living without a home or food shows just how much of an impact Lesley Delivers has on new students.

Last night, despite the rain and colder weather, we had about 17 students show up again! Some were returners from last week, and some were new faces in the crowd. We took part in actually making the sandwiches this week, rather than packing up the meals like last week. This smaller group allowed for more people to participate in handing out sandwiches and feel engaged in the program. I noticed a lot more students stepping up and personally offering the sandwiches to individuals, which made me feel really good! This small step shows that we are gaining confidence in our ability to cross that threshold and make a connection. Once the ice is broken, relationships among us and those we serve can develop and strengthen our community.

As Theresa and I walked to meet up with the group, we noticed a young person sitting with a sleeping bag along a street that isn't typically part of a LD route. We altered our route at the end of the night to accommodate for this person and make sure that they, too, received a sandwich. I was happy we did this, because it showed that we are not just falling into a routine and getting by with what we need to do. We are consistently looking for ways to improve and reach a higher potential of the amount of people we can reach in one night.

Overall, Ashley and I are very excited with the way things are going with Lesley Delivers this semester. The number of students showing up with excitement and motivation is encouraging, and it just goes to show how much potential a group of people has when they come together to make a difference. I'm looking forward to see how Lesley Delivers develops this semester and is changed for the better by the new batch of members we are gaining.

-Elissa May

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

I have searched and searched for the words to write here. Most people, knowing me, would be shocked to know that I am at a loss for them. Being a part of Lesley Delivers for the past three years has been one of the best experiences of my college career. It gave me a chance to grow and learn as a leader, and it gave me a chance to teach others. But most of all, it opened my eyes. I am grateful for Jill Schreider for starting this organization and for believing in me enough to give me a leadership position. I didn’t believe in myself then, and I remember stumbling over the guidelines every time I read them before we made sandwiches. I also remember being scared to approach people to give them the sandwiches. But I had a great mentor, and she showed me that there was nothing to be scared of, in fact, these were the people I ended up learning a lot of the life lessons I have from. Lesley Delivers gave me my passion. The people who came on the runs and the people we served gave me tested me and gave me strength. There is nothing I can say to explain how much this organization means to me. Nothing.
Last night was my last sandwich run, and I want to thank everyone who made it amazing – everyone who has supported me through my LD journey. It means the world. Seeing all the faces of people who are passionate about what we do and who I love made the night that much more special. I want to thank two people in particular who went through the trouble of getting everyone together and making the night as special as it was for me.
Lesley Delivers’ new Co-Presidents: Elissa May and Ashley Wedekind.
This is my way of passing off the torch – and I can’t think of two better people. They are both incredibly strong leaders and amazingly caring people. Their passion for LD and for making it better is inspiring. I am confident that they will take it and make it the best it has ever been – and bring a new amount of awareness to campus. I am beyond proud of them and I know that, as I step down and they step up, they will flourish.
Therefore, although I am leaving, I want everyone to look forward to the future of Lesley Delivers because it is a bright one. And I can’t wait to hear about everything that is happening with it.
Thank you all for making this the most amazing experience for me. I am truly humbled and grateful.
-Lyndsey

Walk for Hunger

This past weekend, there was a group of Lesley students that took part in Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger. This group was put together by four LU student organizations. Lesley Delivers, Strides, Students for Social Justice, and Local Acts of Fun. The Walk for Hunger is a 20 mile walk around the Boston area starting at Boston Commons. This year, the walk “raised $3.6 million to provide food for 448 emergency food programs in 130 Massachusetts cities and towns”*. I am proud to say that Lesley University students contributed to that. I am also very proud of the leaders of this trip who worked so hard to make this happen. They didn’t have much time to fundraise or pull a lot of people for sign ins, and yet they managed to get 20 people to walk and $285 raised. I can see the passion in them for this issue and they do their best every day to make a difference – and they are.
During the walk, we say many signs, and many people who inspired us. There was one woman who had done over 20 of these walks and wore it proudly on her shirt. There were people holding signs by the Charles River reminding the walkers that people weren’t just hungry during that day, they were hungry everyday – and that what we were doing was only a portion of what we could be to help. As I walked through the lunch area, I heard people talking to each other about what they do to combat hunger on a daily basis. And to me, that is what this walk was for. To remind people that there are ways to help, there are things to be done to end hunger. To end homelessness. That’s why I am so happy that Lesley Delivers exists on campus, for people who were inspired by the walk or by a family in Harvard Square holding a sign saying they are hungry.
Even though more than a few of us came away with aches and sunburns, it was all worth it. Because none of those pains even compare to what we were walking for. If I opened the eyes of one person while doing this, all of it is worth it.
I’m going to leave you with words from the sign that caught my attention and will stay with me for a long time. Because it was made by a stranger, to inspire other strangers. “You’re going to make it after all.”


* For more information about Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger go to their website:
www.projectbread.org

Our Society

Tonight was the 3rd consecutive night of Lesley Delivers as a part of Hunger & Homelessness week. We’ve had an impressive attendance count this week and it is really exciting to see so many students expressing interest in the club’s mission. The energy levels have been high, and it is clear that the impact of the experiences this week has been strong.
Last night, two groups set out in Harvard Square with 30 sandwiches to deliver. The run itself, while effective and eye-opening for most, was not anything out of the ordinary- that is, until the end of the run, as both groups witnessed an event as they made their way to the meeting spot. A gentleman who was standing outside of a store with a change-cup was being openly and publicly scolded by a police officer to leave the area. In a tone that was called “aggressive” and “scary” by multiple students in the group, the police officer did not seem to show any signs of sympathy for this individual, and was not concerned that he may have been humiliating him.
As I saw the event unfold, I had the impulse to express to the officer that what he was doing was not necessary; I, along with the rest of my group, was not bothered by the presence of this man. There was such a contrast at that point: the officer, concerned with getting this man to go away because he believed that the community and store owners would not want him there, and a group of students, on a mission to help the same individual by giving him a meal. If the police officer was scolding him for our sake, he was not helping us in any way. Why did we have more of a right to be present in the area than this man? We didn’t do anything to earn this right. It seemed so incredible that the officer, an individual who serves the community and is cognizant of the rights of citizens, can treat another citizen with such hostility. Wasn’t it clear to him that there may have not been another safe place for this person to go?
What is clear to me now is that the police officer was probably helping others in the community by doing this. The store probably enacted a “no loitering” policy which the police officers are expected to enforce. The man asking for change was probably hindering business at the store because people in the community were not entering the store when he was there. The problem is not with the police officer; the problem is that in our society, not everyone views the man who is homeless as just another citizen. They view him as dangerous, scary, as someone who they would want to avoid if they can when going shopping in the square. It is not right to be angry at the police officer in this situation, but to be impassioned to change the system. Eyes need to be opened that “homeless” is not synonymous with “drug addicted,” “a thief,” or “violent.” Because of the stigma in our society, homeless is not seen for what it really is. Individuals are blamed and misunderstood. Help is not given. In addition to delivering sandwiches, we need to deliver empathy and understanding so that our community realizes that we are all humans first, and deserve the right to be treated as such.

-Elissa

Welcome Ashley!

Last week, was our first run of the semester and we did another this past Tuesday. Both nights, there weren’t large numbers of people, but there were enough to effect the new people we had in our groups. This week we welcomed a new member to our leader ship team – Ashley! She will be our Treasurer and help lead groups when we are in Harvard Square. We are very excited that she is part of the Lesley Delivers team!
Although it was very cold the past two weeks, we did see some people and we got a chance to talk to them. The different ways people chose to keep warm struck many people in our group. A couple sharing a sleeping bag prompted the “What if that were me” question, and although it was not brought up in debrief, I know that many of our members think about that. It has been a topic of this blog many a time – and I think that is one of the many reasons why people continue to come out with us.
On that same trip, we can across a man who wouldn’t take a sandwich because he already had some food that he was saving. He didn’t want to “waste” what we were giving him. We talked later about how that action (which we have also come across multiple times) proves the existence of a community among the people who stay on the streets. There are some that get more than others, and they always direct us to the ones that have less. They know that some have no food, while they might have an extra granola bar so they have us find those without. It brings us comfort to know that they are helping each other in these times of need.