Robbins Report

In from the street - a follow up on the Cape's homeless

Heading out in search of the homeless on a brisk and chilly November day

   A new, inhabited or active homeless camp is discovered in the woods.

Story and photographs by Peter Robbins

With temperatures hovering in the high teens and low twenties, I was grateful to be  enjoying my morning coffee in the comfort of my home. A trip outside in the chilly morning air quickly brought back thoughts of my earlier adventure with Tom Naples trying to locate homeless people in the woods of Cape Cod and I couldn't help but wonder about the current status of those we located and interviewed.

An abandoned truck container currently being used by the homeless to try and stay warm. Click photo to enlarge.

Funny how things happen. Within minutes the telephone rang, "Peter, it's Tom Naples. Up for another adventure? It got awful cold last night, I have some concerns and want to try to bring a few people in from the streets."  As I shared some of the same concerns, we agreed on a time and place to meet and then we were off.

The "Naples Network" in Action

Just the night before I had received a communication with a photograph attached, of an individual who has been missing since June 7, the family heartsick.  I saw this as a great opportunity to reach out for assistance through "The Naples Network".  When I told Tom about the missing person he quickly reached for his cell phone and spread the information around, giving others the heads up should the missing person enter the system.

Naples is grateful for any type of assistance.  On the earlier article about his mission, Tom said donations received assisted in placing John & Jane Doe (interviewed in the article) in housing.  "They would never had made it through the winter," said Tom, "both of them are very sick."

A new, inhabited camp is discovered. Click photo to enlarge.

The Does' outdoor "hooch" has been vacated but their bedding has been recycled by other homeless people. "They do take care of each other.  This time of  year, as we bring one in from the street, they pass their blankets and gloves on to others."

Photos from the previous article showed empty truck containers where some would congregate during foul weather and have coffee or share a smoke.  Those containers now function as an active residence for four people.  The containers are weatherproof and dry, yes, but in all honesty, cold doesn't even begin to describe the temperature.   The residents of these containers leave all their belongings behind in stacks, somehow having faith that  everything will still be there when they return.

Searching for Camps

Once again, "Daniel Boone"-style, we headed deeper into the woods to check for active camps.  Some camps had been vacated.  At one abandoned camp we found sleeping gear, crutches, and even a wheelchair strewn about. 

The Calvary Baptist Church in Hyannis. Click photo to enlarge.

Other camps are still very active, with warning signs posted on the surrounding trees. Based on the location and setup of one particular camp (see photo above), you couldn't help but feel that its owner not only had no intention of accepting any type of assistance, but clearly didn't even want anyone near his domain.  It was obviously setup by someone who knew how to survive.  It was eerie upon approach and made us very careful about where we stepped.  We couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched the entire time we were there.

Good News for the New "John  & Jane Doe"

Naples' cell phone rings constantly.  "I just got housing for another couple, do you mind if we go find them and give them a ride?" Tom asked.   And that was fine with me--it was getting a little cold and I half expected to hear banjo music as we headed out of the woods.   As we left that last camp, Tom explained, "there are certain people who do not want any help and just want to be left alone."  It was obvious to us both that the owner of that camp fell into that category.

Calvary volunteer Sue dishes up a warm meal. Click photo to enlarge.

We located the new John & Jane Doe and delivered them to their new heated quarters.  Both were very appreciative.  Before we left them, Tom explained what had to be done on their part, and made sure they understood what their responsibilities were.  Neither had eaten for some time and Tom arranged for them to get something to eat.  After thanking me for the ride, Jane Doe said, "At least we will have heat tonight, last night I thought my toes were going to fall off."  John and Jane have been on the streets for four and a half years.

Gloves and Going South

Naples had just taken his gloves off and given them to another person he was concerned about.  "We really have to get some more gloves, it's getting cold."  Gloves may seem like a simple, inexpensive article of clothing to most of us, but a warm pair can also mean saving someone from frostbite and related medical costs that would go unpaid if treatment were required at Cape Cod Hospital.  I assured Tom that gloves would be on the way--one way or another.

Financial decisions are always a part of every equation, even when dealing with the homeless.  Recently a local women lost her job. Unable to pay her rent she was on the street.  After reaching out to the Council on Churches, a support group of relatives was located in Orlando, Florida.  "It was cheaper to give her a bus ticket than to burden the system and services we could provide her with here for the winter," explained Naples.

Calling in the Calvary

Calvary volunteers Diane and Jacque pack up containers for meal delivery. Click photo to enlarge.

Next it was off to a "soup kitchen" run by a remarkable group of volunteers under the guidance of Pastor Bruce R. Smith of the Calvary Baptist Church on Lincoln Road in Hyannis.  Calvary's Pantry Kitchen runs a program called "The Nutrition Mission."

According to Pastor Smith, their mission is to provide healthy, nutritious, hot meals to families, children, seniors, homeless and anyone else in need regardless of race, color, creed, religious belief or income.  From what I observed that day, they do a very good job of it.  Hot meals are served Monday through Friday from 3pm to 6pm by church volunteers at no cost.  According to Pastor Smith, "we serve about 200 meals each day."

First name basis only volunteers, Diane and Jacque, fill some 150 Styrofoam containers that are going to be delivered to different locations. Church volunteer Sue mans the serving trays as people file in for a quality meal of generous portions, "no one leaves hungry," she says with a smile on her face.

After the food totes are filled, volunteer Mr. Charlie Wynns of Hyannis, delivers the hot meals to another location in Yarmouth that is housing some 75 people.  "I've been doing this for over a year and a half, it has to be done, and I love doing it. You should see them smile when they see me pull up and hand out the meals. They are so grateful, it's wonderful," said Charlie.

Calvary's Pantry Kitchen is accepting donations of all types. For more information or to volunteer you can call 508-778-7018.  Contributions can also be made by making a check payable to Calvary Baptist Church, Box 984, Hyannis, MA 02601.

Naples helped Charlie load his truck, and thanked him for his work. Returning to the Pantry Tom grabbed two meals "to go" for the couple he had just placed and who had not eaten all day.

   A warning sign in the woods.

   Bedding and other items left behind in an abandoned truck container.

   Tom Naples and Mr. Charlie Wynns take a moment from loading up a truck with warm meals.