Two Extremes

Something very surprising happened on Tuesday's run. We asked a women we had seen before on our runs and at Harvard Square Meals, the soup kitchen in the area, if she would like a sandwich. She walked by us, staring straight ahead and said nothing. When she reached the end of the street, she turned around, so we asked her again, "Would you like a sandwich?" She asked us what authority we had to be handing out sandwiches, where we came from. "Lesley University," I answered cheerfully. She quickly walked towards us, focused in on one of our members. She came up inches away from her face and asked, "Who do you think you are giving out sandwiches in Harvard Square?" She yelled; she was furious and rude. She told us we should not make such broad generalizations, that she was working to get her PhD and was so insulted to have such an assumption made about her. She told us to go back to Lesley University where we belonged and to stop bothering innocent pedestrians in the square.

It goes without saying we were extremely upset and hurt. All we do is feed the hungry; our intentions are good. We were shocked at her extreme reaction. Typically, when people do not want sandwiches for whatever reason, they simple say, no, thank you. I have never experienced such a response. I was also baffled and confused as to why she would behave in such a way. We discussed ideas: maybe she was in denial or was too proud. But then why would she suddenly only stop accepting food now? Maybe she was on some sort of drug or was drunk, or maybe she has some sort of disorder. Perhaps she just did not appreciate being judged based on her looks, something that we are still learning to avoid as a club. Just because someone is carrying a suitcase or wearing old-looking cloths does not make them homeless. Even those in a suit could be homeless, vulnerably housed, or hungry, and so it is our job to ask if they would like something to eat. Our policy is that it is always better to offer a sandwich than not if we are not sure, because we pledge to feed anyone who is hungry, and this experience will not change our approach.

The polar opposite of that negative interaction were the two groups we came across. The space outside Bank of America was full of people huddled around, because those typically at the pit had to change locations due to the snow. They were extremely grateful and appreciative, just like the positive and happy individuals by the church next to Harvard Law. The man, who two weeks before had brightened our evening by making us laugh over the turkey sandwiches he imagined eating, made us feel cheery once again. He and his friends, the men who danced and sang Peanut Butter Jelly Time, made jokes, which made us smile. It is people like these that keep Lesley Delivers not only meaningful but also bright and wonderful. It does not matter if one person does not understand or appreciate what we are doing in Harvard Square so long as so many others have a good time, a friendly conversation, and a nice sandwich.

- Alex :)

What constitutes being homeless?

Being homeless is hard term to define. To many, it is not having enough food, or enough money to heat your home. To other is it physically living on the street, begging for money or food day in and day out. It is different for everyone and can be confusing try to classify what it means to be homeless. People most often think of them as those people who live on the street. who's clothes are ragged and dirty, and they haven't showed in many days. It is important to understand that is not always the case.

On our run tuesday night, this question was brought up. As we were finishing up handing out sandwiches and making our last stop in the pit, there were two women there. Usually there is a large group of younger adults, but tonight the pit was quiet. We stopped and offered them their sandwiches and talked with them for a little while. As we were about to leave, we asked them if they would like any blankets and they said yes. They then asked us if we had any down pillows. It was hard to tell if they were joking or not, so we went along with it. We started talking more and they asked for fitted sheets to her bed because she had never had fitted sheets before. It was strange for all of us to have requests such as these. We didn't know whether or not it was really needed. We discussed in our small group what we think it meant to be homeless and we all had different opinions. I believe that even if you have a home, you can still be homeless in a sense because you dont have the money to pay for heat or food, which I think are essential to life. So I ask you, what does "homeless" mean to you?

Overall, the night was great. The group going by the tannery ran into a man in a wheelchair. In their conversation with him, he was saying he was mostly blind. Yet, he was pointing out all the things he could see on the group, like the scarf was red, or she was wearing glasses. The thing that stood out to them the most was what he said about snow. As a child, he loved to play in the snow and he really wanted it to snow 8 feet with the upcoming storm. Winter is his favorite time and it reminds him of his childhood. He said that "everything would be good if it snowed this weekend". It was nice to hear that even in their situation when you think snow and cold would be the worst thing, he was extremely excited because it meant that he was going to be truly happy. 

-Meryl :)

Peanut Butter Jelly Time

Starting Lesley Delivers back up this semester was wonderful. We had a great turn out, as it was the beginning of the semester. I really hope that everyone returns.

Tuesday's run was a pleasure. While some nights can be emotional or intense, this run was just a lot of fun. There were a lot of people over at the pit having a good time. When one young guy asked Theresa and I what type of sandwiches we were handing out, and we responded, "peanut butter and jelly," he burst into song, singing Peanut Butter Jelly Time. He and his friends started singing and dancing. I bopped my head along and laughed. It was really encouraging to see everyone staying so optimistic and having such a great time. I thought back to the time we watched members of the pit get into an argument over food and was so pleased to see they also have nights were things are just overwhelmingly good as well.

There was one women at the pit who was very passionate about a cause called StandUp For Kids (standupforkids.org) that delivers backpacks of materials to homeless in the Greater Boston area. They need to have two volunteers, not just one, she kept telling us, in order to bring backpacks to Harvard Square. They are no longer able to bring resources there, because there is only one volunteer available, which is a safety hazard - not because the homeless will intimidate the volunteers, she assured us, but because one person cannot carry two backpacks. The prejudice against homeless people there was subtle, but it made me sad to think she needed to clarify that in volunteering to help those living on the streets of Harvard Square you would not be attacked or intimidated. This was a cause she was very passionate about. She explained that they helped bring textbooks to her to help her with her disability and credited them with being the reason she was off the streets and in an apartment now.

Everyone at the pit was gracious, of course, as they usually are. One man made everyone smile as he imagined we'd bring him a full roast turkey, allowing it to soak in its juices for four days, carve it up with love, and bring him each turkey sandwich so he could deliver it to everyone he loved. The people at the pit are wonderful, and it was delightful bringing them sandwiches - although not turkey - on Tuesday.

- Alex :)