Invitation to Serve by Steve Radigan
Early in May, prompted by Skip Phair’s suggestion, I sent the club membership an email highlighting Stan Peter’s long-standing weekly food distribution to the homeless. This is a follow up to that email.
I’d like to thank Don Kaefer, Cliff Johnson, and Dennis Dubro for responding with willingness to help Stan. I’d also like to thanks those who may have stepped up to help Stan without replying to the email.
I went to see Stan’s ministry in action myself. Stan and his son John arrived in a white van close to 4 PM and set up shop in a corner of a commercial parking lot south of the train tracks. Setting up shop involved nothing more than opening the tailgate of the back of the van and putting out a folding table. Stan’s van is outfitted with racks of neatly arranged cans of tuna, Vienna sausages, lasagna, Spaghetti O’s and other items; single serve bags of chips, crackers, and cookies; ramen noodle cups, bananas, and water. Some large pizzas obtained from Mission Pizza at cost were procured by Stan and handed out by the slice. Everything was easily visible and accessible for handing out to the homeless.
About half a dozen people were scattered about the parking lot waiting or drifted in at the start of the shift. They lined up behind the folding table (placed at a social distance between them and the back of the van) patiently waiting their turn to point at or ask for what they wanted. These were placed on the table for them to take. They could have as much as they asked for. Everyone was pleasant, respectful, and grateful; no one took more than they needed.
After the initial group, ones or twos trickled in until the last person around 4:45 PM at which time Stan and John closed up. Altogether about a dozen and a half, plus or minus, were served.
Stan’s homeless were a mix of all types – some single, some with small kids, some with impaired mobility, some people of color, a couple of older Asian ladies collecting for themselves and families at home. Stan seemed to know most, if not all, and made sure that they were well taken care of.
Stan has been going to the same spot every week for 10 years. In doing so he gives some comfort by removing the uncertainty of where and when the next meal might come from.
Stan has limited mobility and is slowing down. He can certainly use the help. As far as a service opportunity, nothing could be easier. For 45 minutes to an hour, it just involves handing out food from the back of a van to some people who are very thankful for it.
Not many can make the kind of commitment that Stan has made. If one could help out once a month, twice a month, even every other month, twice a year, or once a year, that would go a long way to helping. Even at a minimum commitment from each member the SJMC roster could support Stan for an entire year.
The parking lot Stan uses is south of the train tracks across from the Centerville train station. It is between 3869 Peralta Blvd (Bob Lyn Edwards Jr. – Family Attorney) and 3833 Peralta Blvd (Carter Hair Deign). Below are screen shops of where Stan sets up each and every Wednesday from 4 to 5 PM.
