For Some, It's Not the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It's that time of year again! Christmas. food, friends, family, decorations, movies, and more are all things we look forward to, but some don't have that luxury. The homelessness problem in Barstow is something that we're all aware about, but sometimes it can be hard to know what to do about it. Understanding and being informed can help you a lot in deciding how to help.
When we see them walking down the street or sitting in front of stores, we think that's all there is to it, but how exactly did they get in their position? There are many different factors. Some may have lost their home or job from social and economic factors, an illness where they can't work anymore, and many more possibilities. They may have been the only working source in their household and may have gotten fired. Though some may choose the lifestyle they have because of certain problems or laziness, it's not fair to categorize them and assume; they're human beings with lives and experiences.
Whether you know it or not, homeless people face a lot of danger during the winter time. It gets freezing cold in Barstow and the wind doesn't help. They could get a mild case of frostbite from the nipping cold constantly on them. They face a huge chance of illness. They could get the common cold but it will be 10 times worse because they're constantly in the cold and not getting the treatment they need. They also face danger from others. When you're in that position, people get desperate. There are tons of stories of people getting hurt because another person is so desperate to stay warm they'll take their coat, socks, pants, and anything else they can get. Sometimes, it can be fatal.
Thankfully, our community has some resources. Besides the random acts of kindness shown by the citizens, there are different organizations. Desert Manna is one huge resource. It's a homeless shelter here in Barstow, providing shelter and food. The Barstow Free Methodist church has blessing bags in the back filled with food that guests can take and hand out whenever they see someone who seems like they need it. Also, every other Thursday they distribute food from the food pantry. They also do a lot of giving out food during the holidays.
So, what can you do to help? Volunteer. Volunteer to hand out food, work in soup kitchens, or anything else you can find. When winter comes, we go in the back of our closets and pull out multiple gloves, socks, scarves, jackets, hats, and blankets. Sometimes we forget how fortunate we are. Giving back is another way to help. Socks are probably the most overlooked item when it comes to giving clothes, but it is a necessity. Creating a fundraiser to raise money is another good idea. You can use the money to give to an organization or use it to buy clothes, food, blankets, and more.
The severity of being homeless during winter is real, sometimes fatal. People contract sicknesses like hypothermia and pneumonia that are extremely, extremely dangerous. Diseases caused by unsanitary living conditions can also be really fatal. There are also so many people suffering from mental health issues that go untreated and it can get worse in the winter and around the holidays, as that is typically when Seasonal Affective Disorder takes effect. Sometimes they have no family or friends and the holidays are just like any other day, lonely.
No one is going to be able to get rid of homelessness, but with our community and citizens, we can help make things easier and hopefully spark the minds of some to get up and keep trying to make their lives better.
