Help for the Homeless

Posted on by

Last week, I shared about walking on tightropes.  I mentioned that one of the balancing acts that we must endure is balancing humility and pride – especially when it comes to serving others.  As a reminder, Jesus shares in the book of Matthew how we are to proceed when we help the needy:

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  Matthew 6:1-4

It’s clear that we are to help the needy – the homeless, the widows, and the orphans.  But how do we do that in an on-line world?  How also can we spur each other on (Hebrews 10:24) without getting the word out about opportunities to serve?  These are questions I wrestle with as I write today’s post.

Our H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everywhere) group is in the process of gathering items to assemble kits for homeless people in conjunction with Good Samaritan Shelter in Phoenixville, PA.  Our goal is to assemble 40 kits, and our group as done a great job so far in gathering items.  But we could still use a little extra help as we seek to finish up this project (which we’ll be assembling at our November 6th meeting).  If you can help out with a few items (or know someone who could help), it would be much appreciated.  Here are the items that we’re still looking for:

  • deodorant (8)
  • shampoo (trial size) (6)
  • conditioner (trial size) (11)
  • nail clipper (25)
  • washcloth (40)
  • hand towel (20)
  • scarf (21)

If you can help out with any of the items, leave me a comment and my wife or I will get back to you.

Thanks!

Are their homeless people in your area?  How do you or how can you help?

Related posts:

  1. Don’t Hold A Press Conference
  2. Walking The Tightropes of Life – Balancing Things Like Humility and Pride
  3. When Stress and Anxiety Levels Overtake Me
  • http://billgrandi.com/ Bill (cycleguy)

    Would love to help since our homeless population is slim since we are small town but we are collecting items for the military and that is quite an undertaking.

    • http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe

      I’m sure it’s quite an undertaking. I hope the post is simply a reminder for my readers to help others in their communities. Look around. There are people who are needy.

  • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

    You’re so inspiring. So glad to you’re actually DOING something instead of just talking about it.
    I’d love to help, but I currently donate all I can to my churches food drive for our community. I’m also gearing up to help out this holiday season.
    I will pray about it though, if God directs, I will gladly send you all I can. I will also tweet this!

    Thanks for being Gods hands and feet- His heart shines through you!
    God bless.

    • http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe

      Prayer is great! That and continuing to reach out in your own community. Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for Jesus.

  • http://randomlychad.com Chad Jones

    What a great project, Jon! I’ll check with my wife, and see if there’s anything we can do. In any case, you have our prayer support.

    • http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe

      Thanks, Chad! Honestly, the best thing you can do is pray and look for ways to help out the homeless in your area. We have to put feet to our faith. Faith without works is dead.