I live in a small town in the middle of Indiana. Population: about 3500 with the county around 22,000. Quite a bit different from the big cities like Indy, Louisville, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and others. As a result, it is easy to close the eyes and say, “Whew! Glad that is not an issue here.” However, no matter how small the city or town; no matter how large the city or town; there is a homeless and hungry situation to be dealt with. I have recently been chosen to be on the board of the Owen County Chamber of Commerce and I guarantee at the next meeting I will ask.

I have my friend Allen Madding to thank for bringing more awareness to me. I mean, I have been aware of the homeless and hungry. One can hardly read the paper or watch the news without having the eyes opened to its reality. I have read of people living under bridges in cardboard boxes, make-shift dwellings, and/or tents. Just within the past year or two the largest city close to Spencer, Bloomington, had hundreds of tent people stake out in a park. Being homeless in Spring, Summer and Fall is one thing. Being homeless in the Winter is just bone-chilling to me.

My friend, Allen, has written a book called Shaken Awake. It is a short but powerful book of 52 pages. Allen sets a scenario for the book by telling of a man who dies (freezes to death) on the doorstep of Peachtree Street Church. He segues into a snow storm which grips Atlanta unawares, causing all sorts of havoc with citizens of all makes and models. The story is interspersed with the response of  Peachtree church which is like so many churches of our day: “dead” and about to close its doors with no outreach at all. Peachtree responds by opening its doors and becoming a shelter.

Allen closes his book by discussing the homeless and hungry situation gripping our country (for obvious reasons). But he also gives some organizations which are trying to be part of the solution. Allen knows whereof he speaks. After a mission trip to Venezuela, he and his wife made themselves more familiar with the homeless/hunger situation where they lived and then did something about it by starting a non-profit called Feed the Hungry Forsyth, Inc. After moving to St. Pete due to a job downsizing, he has become involved with a non-profit called Feed St. Pete.

I am not ashamed to admit some wet eyelids as I read the story. But wet eyelids ain’t worth squat if they don’t lead to action. I plan to investigate what is and can be done here. And you? I suggest you go to Allen’s website and ask for a copy  of his book or visit Amazon on Wednesday and order it there.

Do you have a homeless/hunger situation where you live? Are you doing anything about it?