Chippewa Valley Street Ministry July 5, 2023

Chippewa Valley Street Ministry Journal July 5, 2023

It is incredible to think we’re already into July. The days go by quickly for us as we continue to work with our unhoused friends to keep them safe and provide for basic needs. We are dropping boxes of water off in the community on a daily basis to help with hydration needs as the lack of water is a common concern that we hear. The lack of free water sources has been raised as a concern since the beginning of the Street Ministry and we’ve mentioned it frequently.

We encountered a man that looked unwell. He reported that he was being admitted to a local hospital for surgery related to lung cancer. He was told that he’d be discharged back to the street.

If you live in this area, you are aware that it has been very hot and very dry. While the following article is not just about our area, it is concerning. Tuesday was world’s hottest day on record – breaking Monday’s record | Climate crisis | The Guardian. We served on Monday when it was 93 degrees and miserable. We know we should not complain knowing that our homes and vehicles have air conditioning and we’re living a privileged life. An hour and a half of heat for us is minimal compared to our brothers and sisters who are outdoors all day and possibly nights. By the end of the day, our friends look haggard and tired and are in need of a break.

Woman finding some relief from the hot sun.

Man in need of water, he felt ill from the heat.

In a previous journal, we noted the area’s poverty and that there seems to be few efforts to combat the suffering of the growing number of individuals and families experiencing poverty. Just recently, we noted an article that not only discusses the poverty in the country but reports that poverty is the fourth leading cause of death. It’s a good read: The fourth leading cause of death in the US? Cumulative poverty | Reverend William Barber and Gregg Gonsalves | The Guardian. It seems that it would make sense to address poverty here and nationwide to curb the effects it has: medical, mental health, homelessness, life spans. Is it such an enormous problem that it’s being ignored? We have talked about the poverty question in our journals for the last decade, when will we address it for real?

Our numbers continue to rise: we’re regularly serving 55-60 people. We are fortunate to have not run out of water, Gatorade or food although it has been close a time or two. We’ve given out countless t-shirts, shorts and tennis shoes. Our guests have been pleasantly surprised when they ask if there’s any chance at all that we’d have sunscreen for them and we’ve handed over a small bottle. The same is true for a belt or shoelaces. We’ve been in service for 11 years and it never gets tiring seeing the relief on people’s faces when we can fill a need. They are truly grateful for our service and for the donations we receive from you and pass on to them. We are taking a break from purchasing bus passes as financially, it isn’t a viable practice to regularly do. Unfortunately, that leaves some people without transportation and out in the elements.

The relentless heat from the sun.

Thank you for your continued interest and support of the street ministry. Please keep our homeless brothers and sisters in your thoughts and prayers. Our needs list is attached, we appreciate your donations. Feel free to share!

~CVSM Staff

 Thank you for considering Chippewa Valley Street Ministry for your donation!

Monetary donations can be made via check or PayPal.

Checks should be mailed to:

Chippewa Valley Street Ministry
PO Box 51
Eau Claire, WI 54702

PayPal can be accessed by clicking on the “Shop Now” button on our Facebook page:

Facebook.com/chippewavalleystreetministry

or the “Donate” button on our web page:

https://www.chippewavalleystreetministry.org/

We do accept gently used items that are clean and in good repair. Our current needs includes the following:

Tennis Shoes, mens — sizes 11 & 12
Jeans — sizes 30, 32
Antiperspirant (men’s and women’s)
Gas cards
Food store cards
Hoodies — Lg, XL

Donations can be dropped off Mon-Thurs 9:30am-12:00pm at:

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
1120 Cedar Street
Eau Claire, WI 54703