With the extremely cold temperatures we're having, the plight of the homeless in our community is certainly on a lot of minds. Wednesday, we highlighted a homeless couple, Ruth and John, who are living in a tent in a wooded area in Lake Charles near I-10. Like most homeless in the community, they come daily to Abraham's Tent, a local feeding facility where free meals are provided to anyone in need. Eventually they head back to their camp site in the woods, where the main focus is how to stay alive in the freezing temperatures. Does it surprise you that there are so many homeless people in the Lake Area? And what would you like to see being done to help people in these situations?
There used to be a shelter on Ryn street just south of the interstate. Funded and supported by local churches. maybe someone with the right no how could start this up again. Owners of the buildings there could get involved. Beds donated and donations given to accomodate these people for a night or two. I think churches and the community would support this kind of effort. They support Mrs. Pearl at Abrahms Tent like that. Maybe United Way could help or Salvation Army. I would be willing to donate to help. A warm building with bathroom facilitys and some bunks from Fort Polk would make a world of difference. Of coarse it would have to be monitored and policed.
Posted by: Scrooge... | January 13, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Easy fix-- Stop feeding 'em. works well for stray cats and dogs...
Posted by: Elohssa | January 13, 2011 at 07:30 AM
I think the more important thing to do is find the root cause, of just why they are homeless.
Not lack of work plenty of that here in Lake Chuck, not lack of adequate housing plenty of that too so why are these people in a tent???
When I was growing up and found myself skipping school, which was a lot, i would talk to some of the homeless/whinos and many of them just gave up found the rat race to much and realized it was easier to survive on other people. Heck I knew a guy that could write a book on the 10 best tips on how to pan handle.
Elohssa is right if you do not put out the food they go away, much like if you do not provide cab fair the "bad ones" go away.
Posted by: DA GARDNER FOR MAYOR | January 13, 2011 at 07:38 AM
Most of these homeless (like the ones shown on last night's news) chose their own path. I'd like to see their arrest record and also drug test them, they probably have enough money for those habits. I feel their priorities are wrong. Wal-Mart is open 24 hours they can get a night job there to beat the cold and get paid for it, but they choose not too. I agree with the two post above, these people need to put out the effort to better themselves before we lend a hand.
Posted by: Chad | January 13, 2011 at 08:14 AM
That homeless lady that was on the news last night didn't look like she gets too hungry. If anything she needs to go on a diet. What kind of food are they serving at those tents.
Posted by: steve | January 13, 2011 at 09:28 AM
Isn't it obvious? They're all coming here to try out for Lake Charles' Homeless Step Team. Have you guys ever seen them dance? Freaking AMAZING!
Posted by: Zombie Kid | January 13, 2011 at 09:55 AM
Matthew
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Posted by: Rusty | January 13, 2011 at 11:16 AM
I am really shocked at the people who commented on the homeless people. Most of you probably call yourselves christians and attend church every Sunday. Thank you to the person that quoted Matthew!! How great is our God!
Regarding the homeless people's situation. I can understand how they wound up in that position. Our parish is one of the worst for jobs. It would help if our city leaders would hire local people for jobs in our city and parish and not outsiders. Alot of the plumbing jobs are given to outsiders. Those outsiders come here, make our money and then take it with them when they go home. They don't even spend any of it here.
We have alot of vacant buildings (some probably owned by the city)that could be opened up as a shelter or as a place where homeless people can go to get help to get their lives straight. Hey here's a thought: if the city did that, then it would need people to run it and that would create new jobs!
Posted by: R. Johnson | January 13, 2011 at 11:51 AM
Hey Rusty,
God also helps those who help themselves. Why are these people homeless? Pursuant to the blogs above, I think it's probably because they chose to be. They don't want the responsibility of a house and living expenses so they chose to do without them. To survive, they depend on the generosity of the rest of us. They're happy until the weather turns foul. Sorry, but I think 90% of these people CHOSE their way of life so I really don't feel much sympathy for them. There's work available if they really wanted it. If they don't want a boss, then collect scrap aluminum for recycling or look for yard work. All of that requires work and inititive...something that they seem to avoid.
Posted by: Mike | January 13, 2011 at 11:53 AM
R Johnson-
Cry me a river, bud! There ARE services available. Most of these people are on the streets because they won't stay in one place to receive services.
Let them have a vacant building? Fine! YOU pay for it. And pay people to go in every day and clean the mess up.
Better yet, you probably have some extra space. Put a few of these urban outdoorsmen up in YOUR house, Mr. I'm More Compassionate Than You. Let them live with YOU while they "get their lives straight".
I personally am sick and tired of every do-gooder in the country wanting to be oh so compassionate and wonderful and all they need is the money I earned to do it.
If you want to salve your conscience, do it with YOUR money.
Posted by: Elohssa | January 13, 2011 at 11:58 AM
R. Johnson--
While what you say sounds really nice, I have one word for you TAXES, yep HIGHER TAXES, because that's the only way your going to be able to heat these buildings and pay for the people to help the "poor" homeless. Me I do not want to pay higher taxes, so will you pick up my share oh MR. Giving.
And Rusty---
With the quote from the Bible, If I am to understand this whole be a Christian thing or the whole Baptist thing, your supposed to follow the Good Book as a guide to life YES???? Well then why is not EVERY CHURCH OPEN TO THE HOMELESS, after all aren't they supposed to be following the Bible IE Matthew 34-40.
Off subject did you see the Mayor makes 112K a year??One word DAMN--I would have to give up my food stamps and my section 8 housing.. But I would not have to give up my Hotties. So I think I will keep running for Mayor.
Posted by: DA GARDNER FOR MAYOR | January 13, 2011 at 12:57 PM
Hay, if they are cold they need to move their tents next to Millennium Park at the Civic Center. Then when the scum bags return to finish their arson job, there will be plenty of heat for everyone. And after the fire is out, Mayor Roach can make another one is his get tough on crime speeches, "can't we all just get along".
Posted by: Buck | January 13, 2011 at 01:02 PM
R. Johnson-
So what you're saying is that you think that the government, with its power to collect taxes at the point of a gun, should take money from ME, who puts in 40+ hours a week, earning it, and give it to some "poor homeless person" who doesn't? IS that "fair"?
It sounds like YOU are one of those people who wants to make yourself feel better by spending other people's money.
Tell you what..., like Elohssa said, when you've got YOUR house full of these noble, down-trodden poor people, and your church has them sleeping in the sanctuary and eating in the kitchen, and if there are STILL some of those folks left out there, THEN come preach to me about how I am not doing enough.
It doesn't take much of a farmer to know that if you keep fertilizing the weeds, you get a lot more weeds.
Posted by: etaoin.shrdlu | January 13, 2011 at 02:16 PM
I bet every one of them Gooooooood christians is republican.
Posted by: just saying | January 13, 2011 at 07:04 PM
Hey Gardner, please tell me you at least make them hotties fix you a ham and cheese samich before sending them to the bus stop.
Maybe you could find out if there are any homeless hotties out there, then you would never have to give them bus fare or cab fare. Just send them out the door and they are home.
Posted by: HAHAHA | January 13, 2011 at 09:33 PM
While living in New Mexico, I heard an interview by one of the local TV stations, with homeless in Albuquerque..several said they choose that life style...and even though in was in dead winter, with temperature hovering around 10 degrees, with shelter available,they preferred sleeping outside....
Am sure that is not true for all...but there are some that like that lifestyle.
Neither the black guy nor the white woman interviewed by KPLC showed signs of malnutrition. They were not crying...not depressed...despondent...
Posted by: Moi | January 14, 2011 at 01:58 AM