Fort Worth homelessness not seasonal; need is year-round

During a season when people’s attention is focused on a child born in a stable because his parents could find no other shelter, I suppose it’s only natural many folks make a special effort to help the homeless this time of year.

And they are very generous — perhaps too generous.

Don’t get me wrong, but there is so much aid provided between Thanksgiving and Christmas that many homeless individuals are overburdened with all the extra gifts bestowed upon them.

Almost daily I travel that two-mile area of East Lancaster Avenue, just east of downtown Fort Worth, that is a well-trodden trail for those seeking food, shelter and other services from a number of organizations that have been committed to fighting homelessness for years.

Around this holiday time, however, it is almost surreal to see the number of churches, service groups and community organizations that compete to help the homeless. On any given day, within a five-block area, ad hoc “distribution centers” are set up on the street and in vacant lots to pass out food and clothing.

Often several times a day, a street person is offered more food (from sack lunches to full-course meals) and additional things to wear. This past weekend I noticed many of those on the street loaded down with several bundles of newly obtained items, including coats and blankets and a few with sleeping bags.

They had been overwhelmed by the spirit of giving, so much so that they could hardly carry everything. That made me wonder where they would store all of their gifts.

I can appreciate the generosity of those who make the trek down to East Lancaster Avenue to interact with the less fortunate.

It’s also touching to see the number of groups that bring along youths to help out, teaching them by example the value of giving.

No doubt the act of sharing with those in need brings great joy and satisfaction to those who are the benefactors.

But I am concerned that this charity is not spread throughout the year, and that maybe these groups could do more good by partnering with the people who already are addressing this serious issue on a daily basis.

That’s not to say there aren’t those who come more than one time a year, because there are.

As one whose heart goes out to those on the streets and who has been involved for years with addressing the issue of homelessness in our community, I am quite aware of the needs of people without permanent housing.

I’m also aware of the various organizations that have been working to tackle the many problems besides lack of housing that face those living on the streets and in shelters.

Through a concentrated effort, these groups have been able to reduce the number of homeless and have made great strides in getting more individuals and families into permanent housing.

Still, there are more than 2,400 homeless people in Tarrant County, with the number of “chronically homeless” increasing by 60 percent over last year, from 208 in 2013 to 331 in the 2014 count.

About 500 of those homeless are veterans, and there are more than 1,600 homeless children in the Fort Worth school district.

All of the organizations serving the homeless — with shelter, mental and physical medical assistance, substance abuse programs, job training, tutoring — can use help, both financially and through volunteerism.

Rather than competing during Christmastime to help out, some of these groups and individuals should support year-round places like the Presbyterian Night Shelter (celebrating its 30th anniversary this month), Union Gospel Mission, Salvation Army, Arlington Life Shelter, Day Resource Center, MHMR and others.

This is not to discourage you from sharing during the “season of giving.”

It is to encourage you to also do it in months other than November and December.

This story was originally published December 23, 2014 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Fort Worth homelessness not seasonal; need is year-round."