The PBJ – Nine Years Later – A View from Chicago

(Tim Sullivan)

 

It’s hard to believe that the PBJ is coming up on its 9^th Birthday.  I would never have guessed nine years ago on that first Saturday of October of 2002 the PBJ would evolve to what it is today.  From a handful of volunteers that first Saturday to now with a core of dedicated, caring individuals and dedicated volunteers (40, 50 or 60 each week) who show up to care for the “friends” downtown.  I truly miss all of the volunteers and the people downtown who I’ve gotten to know as friends over the last nine years.  Like the old saying, you really don’t know what you’ve got until it’s not there.  By moving to Chicago I’ve gotten a different perspective on the work that the PBJ does each week, week in and week out, 52 weeks a year.  While I was actively involved (I still remain on the Board of Directors) I knew that the work we were all doing was important and Christ-inspired.  Each week to see people actively living the Gospel, actively doing what Christ calls each of us to do is an incredible experience.  What I don’t think I realized though was how absolutely necessary that work is.  The importance goes without saying.  But each week, to see 250 or so people being cared for in a compassionate, loving way it really never struck me how terribly necessary the work that the PBJ does is.

Chicago, like any other big city has a homeless problem.  All you have to do is walk down the street and it’s obvious.  You see people obviously homeless or completely marginalized just like in the Detroit area.  But there is a big difference.  If you look on the scale of who’s better off (and I hate to use that term because none of them are better off) the scales definitely tip toward Chicago.  The number of shelters and programs geared toward the homeless are absolutely incredible.  Catholic Charities (sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago) runs 5 soup kitchen where dinner is served.  I’ve worked at one downtown which feeds approximately 150 people each meal (donated by local establishments and grocery stores).  Just the programs run by the Archdiocese of Chicago through Catholic Charities are numerous and widespread.  (See: http://www.catholiccharities.net/get_involved/.)  Outreach is provided by various parishes and in addition to this in well over 100 soup kitchens throughout the city (both governmental and private) providing food and emergency services to the homeless and marginalized.

By serving those on the bottom rung of Detroit’s society the PBJ fulfills not only an import but an extremely necessary service.  There is no one worse off than the people that the PBJ serves.  The homeless from other areas of downtown Detroit look down on the people who are cared for by the volunteers from the PBJ.  The most important thing is not the food, not the clothing but the care and love that is provided week after week.  Without the PBJ these “friends” would be unloved and uncared for.  Food and clothing are needed for the body, but care, concern, conversation and respect are non-quantitative things which no one can do without and which the PBJ offers in abundance.

I would just ask you to consider (if you haven’t already done so) to join the other volunteers some Saturday.  I can promise you that you will receive much more than you can ever give.  Blessings to all,