Selflessness

Tonight we went on our last sandwich run before Thanksgiving break; we had 6 people come out and we made 24 bag dinners. It was the first night that it was truly cold out, so it wasn’t surprising that there weren’t a lot of people out to give the bags to. The people we did see were grateful and thanked us with what have become familiar smiles and words.
Within the group of people that came there were a lot of people who had come to Lesley Delivers before, some of them have been nervous on their first few times about going up to people and asking them if they wanted food. Tonight I saw a few who hung back before step up and want to do it. It proves that it is not only the people receiving the food that are receiving something, but the people who give as well.
There were three people in a place that we normally stop that one group gave some dinners to, and then on the way back the other group stopped by. At this point the number had grown to six people laying there so, having extra sandwiches, they offered to the people who just got there and the people who were already there. One of the men who was just settling down was very sweet and shy, but talked to us about what we were doing and how cold it was. When we asked him if he wanted a bag, he made sure that we gave one to everyone else before he took one – even though some people there already had two. There were a few that he referred to by their first names and acted like he was close to them. Sometimes we feel the need to be selfless in the face of difficulty. Sometimes we focus so much on the people we care about that we forget ourselves. We forget our basic needs because to us, our friends and family are all that we really do need.

Warmth

Last night Row House came out with us for the run. We had 20 people came out and made 26 bagged dinners. The past few runs we have had a great selection of food to put in the bags because of the donations from the peanut butter and jelly drive. While on the run a group came across a man that we normally see every time. Usually he is with his wife, but last night he was alone. He began to talk with the group about what Lesley Delivers does. He told us that most people out in Harvard Square who are sleeping outside need blankets and asked us if that is something we do. He told us that he usually spends the money he gets on the street on blankets for the other people he sees. This man is truly an inspiration to us. Even though he and his wife are in the same position, he wants to try and better the lives of others.
This is a perfect time to mention that Lesley Deliver and the Lesley University Softball team are sponsoring our 2nd Annual Winter Coat and Accessories Drive. We are looking for an old coats, sweaters/ sweatshirts, blankets, scarves, hats, and gloves that are in good condition to donate to local Cambridge shelters.
If we can learn anything from the man we met last night, it is that helping other stay warm (and helping others in general) can also help you and warm your heart – sometimes that’s the only thing you need to keep warm.

Interest

Lesley Delivers and the Class of 2011 paired up last week to do a sandwich run. We had 14 people come out and made 21 bags of food. We saw a lot of people out, which very well could have been because of the weather. We saw the two men who are usually up on the stairs again, but this time was different from the past few times. This time, when some of us went up the stairs they came out from underneath their tarps and blankets and talked with us. It was a happy moment to know that we had made yet another connection and we were able to talk to them about what we do.
We are really glad that more groups and dorms on campus are becoming interested in Lesley Delivers. Collaborating with these groups helps raise awareness and brings people closer together.
We had our first Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive last week, and so many people donated! We received 18 jars of peanut butter and 15 jars of jelly along with many other things to make the runs better. We want to thank everyone for their kindness!

Relationships

Last night we did a run with nine people that was sponsored by Wendell House on campus. We made 21 bags of food to give out. This time we split up into two groups and covered more space. The main thing we noticed about this run is how many times it was pointed out that there were familiar faces. As we walked by one spot that we always see people in, a man sat up and smiled at us. “It’s good to see you again!” was what we were greeted with. He showed his gratitude and then said “I’ll see you next week!” I am happy with the fact that people are starting to realize that Lesley Delivers is here for them, even if it is raining (and I know Sarah and Jillian are too). As we begin to get familiar with people we begin to have a relationship with them, even if it is for those few fleeting seconds over a sandwich. My hope, besides the hope that they are able to get off the street, is that the people we saw a few weeks ago (and continue to see) who were scared become familiar with us too. Because maybe, if they know it is a Tuesday and someone is coming up the stairs to where they are trying to sleep, they will know it’s us. Maybe we will get a chance to see their full faces. Maybe we will get a chance to talk to them and show them that we want to move the next step in our relationship – actually handing them the bag.

Trust

It’s that time of the week again! Tonight ten of us went out and we handed out 21 bags of food. It was the beginning of the cold nights here in Cambridge, and as we walked around Harvard Square we were reminded of that fact. A few points were brought up tonight at the end reflection. While walking around one group saw two men who were trying to stay warm up a flight of stairs leading to the door of an office building. As we got up the stairs to see if they wanted any food, we found one of them scared in the corner as to who was coming up the stairs. The other was under a tarp that was pulled tight around him. However, once they both heard the word “sandwich” they realized that they had nothing to worry about and that we weren’t trying to kick them out or invade their spot. We put ourselves in their shoes for a moment at reflection and talked about how we would feel the same if a strange person was coming into our apartments or dorms. That spot is what they have to call home for that moment, and they had every right to be scared. What would you do?
The other thing discussed was trust. There was a man that one group offered a bagged dinner and an explanation as to who was giving out the food - and he politely declined. They left one on a bench later on, thinking that someone would need it. While returning from their run, the next group came across the same man and offered him their last bag. He held up the bag that was left on the bench and told us he had one. We gave him a second one anyway. It seemed that once he had the time to think about who was giving the food and also the time on his own to inspect the bag, he was able to trust it and take another. Trust is a big part of life, and even bigger when you are taking food from strangers. When we are young we are taught to do the exact opposite. “Don’t talk to strangers”, “Don’t take food from strangers”, the list goes on. But we are never taught about the times when we have to trust in human kindness in order to get us from one day to the next.

Connection

Tonight was our second Lesley Delivers sandwich run, and we ran it with a part of White Hall. We had a large group tonight and again split up into three groups that handed out 25 bags of food overall. Almost every bag was given directly to a person when usually we have to leave a bunch in strategic places around Harvard Square. Although it is great to make human connections through this basic action of giving, we have to remember that we don’t want to see that many people out there. This means that more people have no place to go when the night and the cold comes on. In our reflection after the run we talked about how grateful the people getting the food were. We saw some with signs saying “Hungry and poor” and some playing music to keep warm. Some were able to laugh with us, and a few were able to smile with us during the exchange of a simple brown paper bag. One group was stopped by a man who is frequently sitting on a bench alone. They stopped and talked with him for a few minutes after he called them over. He didn’t need food, he needed connection. Some people go through their days without a nod or a smile. Some have incredible life stories that will go unheard because no one is willing to listen. We should all take a moment to think about what we would do if we were not able to express ourselves to loved ones. What if we didn’t have them? Who would we have to share our burdens, and who would we have to share our laughter?

First Sandwich Run of the Semester

Hi Everyone!
It’s a brand new year for Lesley Delivers, with brand new leadership! Sarah DiGiaimo has taken on the role of Lesley Delivers president, and Jillian Zingale and I have become co-leaders. You’ll be hearing from me every week about the runs that we go on and things that we do as an organization.
This past Tuesday was our first sandwich run of the semester, and it went really well. We had 16 people come to help make the 23 bagged dinners including Merrie Rothstein and Addie Price who also led a group through Harvard Square. Once we got into the square we split up to cover the different areas we have gone to before. There weren’t that many people out, but some of the groups did talk about what it was like to be on their first run. Some talked about how they were a little nervous to go up to someone, for fear of offending people. Which begs the question, who would you ask? What makes you think that someone needs a bagged dinner? We try to think about this every run we do, and usually end it with one such question.
I recently was in a conversation in a class where the professor said “We tend to help people that are more similar to us”. I want to leave you with the thought that ran through my mind when he said that. We are all similar because we are all human, we all have a heart in our chest and breath in our lungs. Therefore, shouldn’t we try to help each other no matter what?
See you next week!
Lyndsey