Homeless Outreach: Feed 85 people in 2 hours: 15+ friends gave 85+ food bags by Brice Royer. Want to help? Learn how you can get involved.

“I don’t have a culture. I don’t have a place of belonging.” says this homeless man who lived on the streets almost all his life. “I don’t have a job and I’m lonely.” another homeless man said.

“You’re not alone”, I explained. “You’re not an accident. You have a purpose in life.”

My friends and I recently organized a homeless outreach in downtown Vancouver and around 15 friends gave away approx. 85+ food bags in two hours on the ground.

During our outreach, I met three sexually abused women, one unemployed teacher with chronic pain barely able to pay for food, and a few homeless people struggling with drug addiction.

Some didn’t want the food, but they sure enjoyed our company. There’s an important lesson here: People need friendships sometimes more than food. We can’t live on bread alone.

According to research, “Loneliness is a greater risk for mortality than cigarette smoking.” says Nicholas Epley, a researcher at the University of Chicago.

Loneliness is the silent killer that affects the homeless man on the street and the wealthy who feel unfulfilled with mundane and superficial friendships.

We all crave a real connection. We want to be cared for. And yet, we’re afraid of engaging in a heart-to-heart connection and we push it away.

While most people would think their situation is hopeless, I believe the opposite is true.

A year ago, I met a man who was homeless and about to commit suicide with a needle in his arm. I met him again recently at a social event.

“Hey! I remember you!” he said with a big smile. I was very surprised at how much he has changed. Not only he overcame his drug addiction, but he was recently featured in our local newspaper for starting a ministry to help the homeless downtown.

Incredible.

“It’s amazing what a year can do to transform people’s lives.” I said. “You bet.”

If there is hope for him, then there is hope for all of us.

RESOURCES:

• Did you know there that 15 percent of the U.S population is chronically lonely— or some 29 to 45 million people? That figure is even higher if you include other countries. Learn more

• Learn how you can help
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