Reaching Where Others Dont Dare to Go

The Street Team Outreach, a group based out of Grand Terrace, Ca is a group of individuals with a burden for those lost in the surrounding communities and in need of basic necessities as well as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The group currently has monthly outreaches scheduled on the second Saturday in which they gather items, donations, provisions, and a hot meal and venture out to the areas most people would double check that their doors were locked when driving through. This group of individuals has come to the realization that the less fortunate, homeless, victims of human trafficking and drug addicted members of the community still matter, and they need help. “Even if one person is helped by our efforts then it is all worth it,” says the team.  Saturday November 24th the team once again stepped outside of their comfort zone and mounted up like a caravan ready to invade the enemy’s camp. With a hot meal consisting of a freshly roasted turkey, nutritious vegetable medley, cheesy homemade macaroni and cheese bake, cookies and homemade pumpkin bread in tow, as well as jackets, socks, beanies, clothes and diapers to help them fight the elements, the group headed toward Waterman and Ninth streets in San Bernardino. This area is known to be heavily ridden with gangs, drugs, prostitution, and of course an enormous homeless population. As most local businesses are fighting hard to scatter the homeless and deter these less fortunate individuals from their properties, the mission of The Street Team and securing a spot to accomplish what they set out to do is increasingly more difficult. Upon arrival at a local parking lot, a security patrol informed the group that although their efforts were admirable, they would not be able to setup the outreach at that site due to businesses in the shopping center pushing for the removal of the people who the outreach was intended for. Respectfully, the team relocated to an empty dirt lot across the street, and proceeding to set up the bounty of blessings for the less fortunate.  The outreach was a success as men, women, and children in the area flocked to the tables and lined up in droves to take advantage of anything and everything there was to offer. “There are children out here some as young as 7 and 8 years old approaching us, asking for shampoo, socks, clothing and other basic necessities they aren’t receiving at home. It really reminds us that what we are doing is important,” mentions another member of the team. People could be seen eating and chatting, smiling and laughing, some even crying as members of the team offered prayer, a shoulder to cry on, and ears to listen to the stories and troubles of those often shunned and looked down upon in our society.  As the resources dwindled, and stomachs were full, and some, even just for a moment, were able to see a glimmer of hope and forget about their situation the group cleaned up the area. The children who had been feed by the hot meal and filled their bags with the basics even offered to help clean up. It’s as though they didn’t want to leave or be left to the cold streets again. They asked when the team would be out again and what they would be bringing next time in anticipation.  If you would like to donate goods, food, hygiene products or even a generous monetary donation which is tax deductible or would like to donate your time at the next outreach, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at (909) 241-4028. Every bit helps and every donation is appreciated.