Meeting Needs

 

Feeling like hygiene services for the homeless could use some help, Lucas Patchett and Nicholas Marchesi, both 20 years of age, formed Orange Sky Laundry.  The young men had three goals for their project: “to raise health standards, restore respect, and reduce strain on resources.”  With the help of donations, they had an old van outfitted with a portable generator, two washers and two dryers.  The machines can process 44 pounds of laundry in an hour.  Five days a week, the van is driven to different locations around Brisbane, in order to give the homeless an opportunity to clean their clothes and other items.  The young men are also trying to team up with food donation groups that will provide meals for the people to eat while they are waiting on their laundry.  The project is in a trial period.  If deemed helpful and successful, services will be offered throughout Australia with a fleet of larger vans.    

Hugh Howell, Jr. recently responded to a lady inquiring about how to help a friend whose husband died.  Even though she had offered to help, if anything was needed, she wasn’t sure her friend would call.  Howell wrote about his grief experience when his father died.  People called or came by to help, but it was so hard to know what to ask for or even think of what was needed.  It was like his brain shut down and he couldn’t make decisions.  That evening he saw a text on his phone that asked if he would be home at 8:30 that night.  He was puzzled because he knew the friend lived 12 hours away.  He responded, “Yes” and in a few minutes she texted back, “Instacart will be there at 8:30.  Open the door for them.”  Howell responded back, “What?” to which came the reply, “Grief Groceries.”  The Instacart delivery had two large bags of groceries filled with canned soups, frozen lasagna, a gallon of milk, frozen pizzas, ice cream, a box of Oreo cookies, along with other items.  Later on, he realized that his friend did not ask if he needed food, she just sent items he and his family could eat either then or at a later time.  Another out-of-town friend asked a family member the name of a restaurant close to their house where they liked to eat.  Within an hour, a gift card, which would cover several meals, was delivered to their house.  A person noticed the grass needed to be cut and showed up to mow it.  Howell concluded, “In the first few days, especially, it helps to remove as many decisions from their plate as possible.  Eventually they will surface and ways to be helpful will make themselves known.”

 

Whether it is a spontaneous gesture or a thought-out plan, may we find ways to meet the needs of others.

 

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

Titus 3:14