CityView Magazine

giving Season of Giving How to give blessings to those in need this Christmas season T By Kellie Gentry he holiday season is approaching! And with it comes the reminder to be thankful for what you have and reach out to those who are less fortunate, because not everyone will be nestled snug in their beds while visions of sugarplums dance in their heads. In January 2013, the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness and the Continuum of Care reported 615 homeless persons, including 77 veterans and 182 children, in Cumberland County—a number Steve Rogers, executive director of the Hope for Our Homeless, said doesn't truly reflect how many people will live out this winter season on the city streets. Hope for Our Homeless is one of several organizations, including Operation Inasmuch, Fayetteville Urban Ministry and The Salvation Army, that invite the public to serve in its mission to transform the homeless population of Fayetteville. Rogers started the non-profit out of the intention to teach his children the meaning of outreach. He said he felt compelled to do something for the homeless he saw on the Fayetteville streets, but the gift of money became expensive and his children asked curiously about the people he was helping. "We wanted to do something that would show [our kids] how our hands can help others," Rogers said. He and his family started making and distributing blankets for the homeless and after a few more volunteers and generous donations, the operation now functions as an official non-profit. His ministry is based on the belief that we as a society have a responsibility to care for those in need. And all year long, you can find Rogers and the HFOH volunteers not only giving handmade blankets and backpacks full of basic necessities to people living on under the bridges and off the highways, but hearing their stories and giving them hope for a better future as well. Rogers said he wants to break through the stereotypes that come with his ministry. "Not all homeless people are jobless," he said. "That's a common misconception most people have." He recalled meeting a man who slept under a bridge in town and worked at a convenience store nearby. "You just can't make it off of minimum wage anymore," Rogers said. Those who are fortunate to get jobs usually don't have enough to cover rent, food, utilities and child care costs. So, something has to give. The key to diminishing the number of homeless people is "dividing the resources in order to reduce duplicate services," according to Rogers. And the people at Operation Inasmuch agree. "This town is full of food during the holidays," said Sue Parker Byrd, executive director of Operation Inasmuch. "We need someone to take a chance and employ the people we serve." The operation is founded on the Biblical verse Matthew 25:40, which reads "Inasmuch as you did it for the least of these, you did it for me," and proclaims servants of the poor as servants of Jesus. And every morning, the staff and volunteers serve a nutritious breakfast to its 150 family members, who are treated like restaurant guests. In addition to a meal, the family is provided with a daily devotion, live music every Tuesday and Thursday by Snyder Memorial Baptist Church worship leader, Giles Blankenship and other services. "Some may call them homeless; we call them our family," said Jodie McMillan, the operation's family services coordinator. The volunteer schedule for the breakfast program is booked for the remaining days of this year's operation. However, local organizations can pitch in to serve CityViewNC.com | 23

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