Texas Atheist Group Finds Heartwarming Way to Help the Homeless

[NeoGreen]

https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/11/19/texas-atheist-group-finds-heartwarming-way-to-help-the-homeless/

Texas Atheist Group Finds Heartwarming Way to Help the Homeless
By Megan H, November 19, 2019

In a country with far too many unquestioning supporters of Donald Trump, and evangelical Christians who celebrate the wealthy (like say, Joel Osteen and Kanye West), and those who hate atheists only slightly less than they do LGBTQ people, it’s nice to see communities band together to help those who can’t always help themselves.

Especially when it’s an atheist community working to uplift homeless people.

That’s what the Atheist Community of Lubbock did on Sunday.

Rather than tithing to some local church that may or may not help struggling people, group members held the organization’s very first “No Strings Attached” Homeless Outreach Event, providing people who are down on their luck with items they all need most: food, clothes, personal hygiene items, blankets, sleeping bags, and — perhaps most important — human kindness. The event turned out to be a rousing success, providing 120 people (“40% of the local homeless population,” they say) with the things they need to make their lives a little easier.

As someone who has lived homeless in Texas, I can tell you how brutal the winters can be in this state. My husband and I lived through flash floods with hail the size of golfballs. We’ve lived homeless in seven different states, and have persevered through ice storms, snow, pneumonia, crushing heat, and police. So kudos to these kind-hearted atheists for showing the community that you don’t have to be religious to be caring.

Their actions brought together local businesses, scores of volunteers, and enough donations (about $1,200) to make this work. They also advertised the event via Facebook, a billboard, and flyers.

In the days that followed we were all stunned at the incredible response from [Lubbock] citizens. Many people had heard about our event and reached out to help. We had donations pouring in, and volunteers signing up by the boatload. We were excited to see so many people supporting us, but we still didn’t know if we would have enough people at the event to serve.

Even cold and wind couldn’t keep people away from Mose Hood park, where it was held. The park is a haven for many homeless people.

[get the red out]

1. That is lovely

People deserve to be treated as people, and not just livestock to be herded in with promises from Churches to receive their "generosity".

[Farmer-Rick]

2. In some counties and cities you can get arrested for feeding the hungry

Or offering coats and blankets to the homeless.

Glad to see Lubbock is not one of those places.

Religions have for centuries been taking credit for human kindness. It's about time people realize charity and kindness has nothing to do with religion.

It's like Wal Mart taking credit for the donations they collect from their workers. They use coercive tactics to get their, poorly paid and on food stamps, workers to give to the Walton's favorite charity. Then the corporation turns around and takes credit for it as if the corporation itself or the Waltons had made the donations. And all the while they squeeze more and more from their workers.