A SHARP OCTOBER WIND cut across Central Park, chilling me as I walked. For several months now, Randy and I have power walked here and in the surrounding neighborhood as part of a new exercise routine. But these daily outings have proven to be more, much more, than an effort to raise our heart rates, build strong bones and stay in shape. They have opened our eyes to sides and peoples and challenges previously unseen by us in Faribault.
That includes homelessness. I’ve come to recognize those without housing security. And although I’ve never stopped to ask their stories, I’ve wondered. I wonder if they have enough food, where they sleep, why they are homeless. And I wonder, what are we as a community doing to help them find housing and more?
On the evening I noticed a cardboard box aside a tree and investigated, I had even more questions. Food filled the box. Unopened boxes of Raisin Bran and baked goods mostly. Why was this box of food placed there, next to a tree near the band shell?
The next morning the box sat inside the band shell, a single loaf of French bread lying on the grass. And three days later, when I noticed a cardboard box edging over a trash can, I investigated again. To my dismay, I found the food dumped, a head of cabbage, hazelnuts, baked goods and more inside the garbage barrel. I didn’t dig deeper. Why this unnecessary dumping of food?
Several weeks later I spotted boxes of food again, this time three boxes left by a picnic table on the band shell’s north side. Inside were half-gallons of milk, eggs, dried lentils, cereal, baked goods, crackers, salad and, at the bottom, rotten pears. The temperature hovered at 60 degrees, not nearly cold enough to keep perishables. I expect someone had good intentions in leaving the food there.
I’ve observed people waiting in line for food, clothing and more across the street at The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Center for Charitable Services. I’ve observed, too, volunteers’ vehicles parked outside The Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour, home to the Community Cafe, which every Tuesday evening serves a free meal. The church sits across from the park, next to a bank, a block from St. Vincent.
An acquaintance, whom I suspect is homeless and whom I haven’t seen in the park since I asked if he has a home (I did so respectfully), told me he got food from St. Vincent, ate at the Community Cafe and at Buckham West Senior Center. So I know these outreaches are working.
Then there was the evening Randy and I witnessed a drug deal, or more accurately, a suspected drug deal. A motorbike drove into the center of the park and an exchange occurred between two young men. There was a bit of yelling before one of the guys (the one who’d been waiting on a park bench) dashed toward an empty parked car that we’d noticed idling upon our arrival. We’d been warned about drug deals at Central Park. But to be warned differs from witnessing.
And the day I found a small pack lying on the sidewalk, then opened it to check for identification, I discovered a stash of marijuana secured in plastic wrap, along with prescription eyeglasses and a large print Sudoku book. Randy reminded me that pot is now legal in Minnesota when I suggested turning the drugs in to police. So we left the bag, hanging it on a low lying park fence. Days later it was gone.
There’s plenty of drinking happening at Central Park, too, even if consumption is banned, allowed by permit only. I’m no teetotaler. But I am a rule follower. And it troubles me to see this drinking and then alcohol bottles and cans and boxes strewn about. A liquor store sits right across the street. I once saw a young homeless man charging his cellphone in an exterior outlet of the liquor/grocery store. And I recently witnessed a woman, seated at a picnic table, chugging a Hamms beer too early in the day.
All of this—the suspected drug deal, the abandoned food boxes and trashed food, the homelessness (including the person sleeping on a picnic table inside the band shell, bike nearby), and substance abuse—leaves me feeling melancholy. I don’t know the circumstances, the stories, the situations behind anything or anyone I’ve observed. I only know how I feel. And that is helpless, sad and with a whole lot of questions.
I recognize, though, that we each are likely only a financial, health or other crisis away from hunger, homelessness, addiction, despair. And that is, perhaps, what imprints upon me most. We are human. And to be human is to face challenges that can lead into the darkest of places. To be human is also to take an eye-opening walk through a city park to see that previously unseen and in the seeing to recognize the need is great among us.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Audrey, I believe you live near Ruth’s House, a shelter for women and children. Please know this organization works tirelessly to provide services for our neighbors without a home. I am a former employee and current volunteer and am amazed by the generosity and compassion of the residents of Rice County.
Sandy, yes, Ruth’s House is such an important part of this community and has done so much to help women and children. Thank you for sharing that.
The people I’ve observed who are experiencing housing insecurity are all men.
I agree that people in Faribault (and Rice County, as you state) are generous and compassionate. I’ve seen that while ringing bells for the Salvation Army and in other ways. Still, I recognize needs remain.
Wow. What strikes me most is that the well-meaning person who is leaving the food just isn’t understanding the situation properly. I mean, cabbage? Not likely wanted. And yes, due to the multiple options available in many cities for food, people can choose to be picky. And besides, the person on the receiving end likely does not even have the ability to COOK cabbage.
Reminds me of when I worked at a place that gave furniture and such to people in need. At Thanksgiving one year a couple days before the holiday, someone came to us wanting to give all of the food for two families to have Thanksgiving dinner. I said oh that’s great all cooked and ready to go, right? And they said oh no just the ingredients. And I said well I’m so sorry but our clients don’t have roasting pans for a turkey, they don’t have extra pans to bake a green bean casserole, etc. etc. The person just had no clue. They were trying to be helpful but just going about it the wrong way. Help requires information. Handing someone a raw turkey compounds the problem and helps no one.
Gretchen, I thought the same when I saw the cabbage. I deeply appreciate your comment. You do a really good job of explaining how simply handing over a box of food is more than simply giving someone food. It’s much more complex. I don’t think we often consider that, that the family may not have a roasting pan for a turkey, for example. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, which we can all learn from as we strive to help others. We need to gather info, as you say, to hear the stories, to truly help in the best possible way.
Yes! Information gathering is key!
It is tough to see at times. I do not understand the food waste though – someone could need that. I know budgets have been tighten and know a few people on fixed incomes that are being squeezed even more. I remind myself how blessed I truly am and help and be of service when and where I can. If it is helping a neighbor or coworker or helping the community through work or helping the veterans by being a member of service clubs and donating and being of service, etc. Take Care
I don’t understand the food waste either.
Yes, we each do whatever we can and it sounds like you are definitely helping others in your community. Thank you!
It sure is a big reminder to see homeless people struggling as winter sets in – a reminder that those of us who have enough are lucky, that our luck can run out at any time, that people who struggle deserve real help and compassion rather than being looked at as a nuisance. But I understand very well that feeling you have of helplessness mixed with sadness, and the questions. It always amazes me that a country with the resources the US has doesn’t allocate enough for those in need and never has. Sure, there are faith communities and service groups who tend to others, but the root causes continue to be ignored by policies that favor business over people, and political fighting over what’s important for a decent life. Whew.
Addressing “root causes” is at the heart of truly helping in a long-term, meaningful way. I agree whole-heartedly. That starts with awareness and acknowledgement. Thank you, as always, for your thoughtful and compassionate comment, Kathleen.
What I have observed: …many (hungry) young folks are too embarrassed to accept food donations, even if they are starving…
That’s part of it, too, the shame… Thank you for pointing that out.
The boxes of food aren’t being wasted, the homeless grab an empty box and then load it from the adjacent dumpster. They leave what isn’t good, or they don’t like in the park ,next to the grocery store. No time to sort when you are dumpster diving. You carry the stuff somewhere else to sort
I am alway struck by the “good Christian’s” in Faribault that won’t open the doors of their buildings to homeless people. One local minister told me that if we provided shelter there would be more homeless people coming to town. Couldn’t be quiet about this one.
Larry, I appreciate your insights as things are not always as they appear on the surface, at first glance. I did check some of the food to see where it came from and it was not from the grocery store across the street. I thought perhaps someone left the milk, the eggs, the fresh fruit aside the band shell with good intentions. But the food sat there for several days untouched, so I don’t know why or who or any details of how this food came to be there. And, yes, your comment about dumpster-diving and then sorting through the food later makes total sense to me.
I’m sorry to hear that a pastor in our community holds that attitude about providing shelter to those without homes. That’s truly disheartening. No need to keep quiet on that comment.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights.
I cant imagine being homeless. Just this week a 57 year old homeless man was found dead in his tent in a park in Rochester. We are seeing more and more areas where homeless are gathering in Rochester. I know we have several agencies that are available to help with housing and food, along with many curches that provide help. Its just so sad.
I did see that story about the death of a homeless man in a tent in Rochester, the third such death this year. Makes me wonder what exactly is going on. And, yes, it’s sad…
City needs a Triage contact. Homeless go see that person to present their case as to what they need. There are homeless because they want to be, some are homeless due to circumstances. A high number have other (mental & or drug including alcohol abuse) issues. Homeless people can be demanding, dangerous and grateful on occasion. God Bless.
You present lots to think about, Gunny, pointing to a complex issue with no quick or easy answers. Your triage contact, though, strikes me as a good idea with one person, one office, to get the process started.
The unhoused population in our area keeps growing and growing and we are all trying to figure out what solutions we can offer. The well meaning folks are just that -well meaning. But they don’t always understand, nor do I, what it is really like to be living in the forest or in your car with little hope of getting out of that situation. It is heartbreaking and while I want to help every single one of those I see I know it is not a problem that one person can address alone. The systems have failed and we have to figure out why and how to fix them. I don’t have any good answers but am hoping that I can contribute in some small way to help. I trust our agencies locally and support them and even serve on the board of one . But it is a universal issue and each community has to figure out how to address it. Your pictures were heart wrenching and I am sure there is a story behind each and every one. If we only knew.
“If only we knew” summarizes well how I feel, how many of us feel. I agree this is universal, that answers do not come easily, that the need is growing. I know you help in any way you can. You are that type of compassionate and caring person. I hope that by writing about housing insecurity and homelessness in my community that I can raise awareness and open the conversation. I’ve read lots of caring and insightful comments on this post. I so appreciate the time invested by those (like you) in sharing your thoughts. Thank you.