Part 1 Honoring Heroes That Help The Homeless

Recently I wrote a hub about paying tribute to those people and organizations that are trying to make a difference in the fight against homelessness.

My first nominee and true unsung hero is Marcia Merrick. A remarkable woman whom you may of heard of but in case you haven't, this is her story, and this is my tribute to her.

Kansas City resident Marcia Merrick is truly one of Americas unsung heroes. Imagine starting your day at 4:30am and preparing 400 sack lunches for the homeless of Kansas City.

Each lunch will consist of a peanut butter sandwich, a fresh piece of fruit, a bag of chips, two homemade cookies, a napkin, a bottle of water, and one of her notes of encouragement.

For years she would start her day making lunches for her two children. Now with her kids grown up, Ms. Merrick still makes lunches every morning, and then once the 400 lunches are prepared she distributes them to the homeless of Kansas City.

She has been dubbed "mother of the streets," every day (Christmas and other holidays included) she finishes her preparations and makes the 15 minute drive to downtown Kansas City by 6am. That is the time most shelters close and their overnight guests are turned out. She will also make stops around the city in tucked away areas where the homeless seek shelter, like under bridges and highway overpasses, and even along the banks of the Missouri River.

Each day is a little bit different. She will give out half the 400 lunches in the morning and then the rest during a similar run in the afternoon before the shelters open again at 4pm.

It just doesn't stop there with passing out the lunches. With the time in between she is busy driving someone to a social services office or to court or a health clinic. She also will give away items like clothing and bedding based on each individuals needs. In addition, Merrick and her volunteers who work with her help some 370 families a year.

 Ms. Merrick doesn't just feed and cloth the homeless, she actually takes the time to talk to them, learns their names, listens to their stories, and gives them the hugs and encouraging words they need to hear. As a result she has become well known on the streets and has gained the trust of many of the city's homeless.

"A lot of them want to change, but they don't have the knowledge and the emotional support to do that. Some have been on the streets so long they don't even know where to start."

What truly keeps her going she says, is the success she has had helping destitute individuals and families turn their lives around.

Merrick not only works to meet the basic needs of the homeless, but to uphold their dignity and self respect.

Back in 2001 when her activity increased and donors asked for tax write-offs, Merrick decided to start a nonprofit, Reaching Out Inc. Today about 80% of her work is for the homeless.

Her organization works with an area church, which provides the space and storage for food, furniture, and supplies. An ever changing group of volunteers help with decorating the bags, putting together hygiene bags (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, clean pair of socks and alike), they also bake cookies, and organize food and clothing drives. Occasionally volunteers will go out with her on her rounds.

The 61 year old grandmother herself gets by modestly on alimony and a small pension. She may be forced to return to the paid workforce sometime soon. Regardless of what happens, she says, she will continue to work on behalf of the homeless.

"I truly believe we can make a difference in their lives, and I don't want anybody to ever think that somebody doesn't care," she says. "They're homeless, but they're human."

What an amazing unsung hero, I only hope that this hub has done her justice, in saying thank you Marcia Merrick, for all you do. God bless!

To watch a short video of Marcia Merrick click here

More of my hubs on the homeless situation:

Dumping The Homeless

Update To Dumping The Homeless

Homeless Help In Vancouver

Bon-Jovi Rocks For The Homeless

Homeless Veteran Facts