Vendor Writing: Suzanne S.

More Opportunities for the Homeless

BY SUZANNE S, CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

When I was homeless in Little Rock, Ark. for almost four years, the main thing that got me through and filled me with hope, was a program that a man and his wife started with only one van. They named it “The Van,” and offered supplies that anyone in the street could use. They operated solely on donations of food, clothing, hygiene, medications, blankets, sleeping bags and tents.

They would drive around in neighborhoods where the homeless were known to gather. Over the years as I watched it grow as many more volunteers, more vans, operated days of different areas for help. They expanded from their house as a storage to a warehouse. Once people started hearing about their services the word would spread very quickly. I think that such a program is in dire need here in Nashville. I think that many of the homeless population would benefit greatly from such wonderful resources. I believe that just dinners and clothes closets aren’t reachable to most of this community. I believe that the things you require when you are homeless are not really thought of until you are in the situation yourself. When most businesses or people donate things they are not in the right mindset. Sometimes something as little as a roll of toilet paper, deodorant or even Tylenol for a migraine makes all the difference in how much they can do. I remember when my shoes were stolen once from me as I was sleeping on a sidewalk. “The Van,” came right through as I was walking barefooted and gave me sandals for my feet. They never require ID, for some it’s their face they would recognize, they would get to know them as people, not the forgotten.