Lindsey’s Story
“I found myself forming a bond with people that I’d normally just walk past.”
Prompted by my friend Emily’s invitation to join her to feed the homeless, I found myself downtown. I wasn’t excited, but just went, and fell in love with it. I fell in love with loving on people who might not receive love any other day of the week. I found myself forming a bond with people that I’d normally just walk past.
I’d been almost fearful of homeless people previously. But with my growing awareness and awakening, I discovered that a simple “Hello,” to any homeless person makes a huge difference. Having that wall broken down in myself, and overcoming those fears, I’m coming to understand that we are all just people, and no matter where our story has taken us, we all need love!
The first time I came downtown, I met Roger, who was full of infectious joy and love for life. I was rather shocked, and drawn to him. He became one of our Regulars; we knew him, and he knew us. After the flood (May 2010), he got angry and disappeared, so we sent word out every way we could, to say, “Please tell Roger we love him and miss him and want to see him.” When months later he returned, I realized just how much I really had missed him. He’d become family.
After coming regularly to People Loving Nashville, it has become a Non-Negotiable in my life. Mondays, I have to be downtown! When I was asked to take over the kitchen operation —to plan the meals and be responsible for the shopping, as well as oversee the cooking and packaging process— I said no. I felt run down from work, and actually had just started a new job. So, I felt leery of such a huge responsibility. But it kept stirring in my mind, and I realized I needed to really think about it. I decided that if my boss agreed to let me take off Mondays, I’d jump in to coordinate the kitchen. He did, and here I am!
So on Monday mornings, I look at what donations we have coming in (mostly from Trader Joe’s), and I look up easy and economical meals. Then I go shopping at Cash & Carry, to purchase the rest of the needed supplies. That’s been a stretch for me, and I’m learning to be frugal, since I’m not naturally a Budgeter. By the time I arrive at the kitchen about 3:30, the early-birds are there waiting for me. These three or four people help get everything set up, and other volunteers trickle in until about 6:00, when we’re in high gear packing up meals and loading out.
I hope that people who come visit will understand that this is more than food and clothing. It is sharing stories. It’s about loving and being loved. I’ve been so well loved by these people, and didn’t even know that I needed it!
