More than a decade ago I was introduced to the Toledo based non-profit, Food for Thought (FFT). At the time I was the College Ministry Director for Crossroads Community Church off of exit 1 on US-23 in Ottawa Lake Michigan. My wife and I were freshly married and living in an apartment in the Old West End when I was as attempting to be a white savior when it came to poverty in Toledo. Of course, being 24 at the time I had it all figured out, and while I didn’t know everything, I knew just enough to make an idiot of myself. I don’t want to brag too much but, I had that classic evangelical white savior complex, doling out cheap Christian platitudes like I knew what was going on. It wasn’t until I started regularly attending the FFT Saturday morning picnics that used to be held outside of the main library, met some of the guests, struck up friendships with some of the unhoused, stopped talking and started listening did I realize how arrogant I was. The first crack in my shell of arrogance was realizing how careful one must be when it comes to language, for example the use of “unhoused” versus “homeless” in describing someone. Very famously, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Herschel once said “words create worlds” so I’m sure we all understand that that means in creating barriers around other people.
What I was taught during that time was saying someone was “homeless” it would bring up images and stereotypes that degraded the person sub-continuously, and before one knew it there were potential prejudices in place. When using the term “unhoused” it restored dignity because there were less preconceived notions about what it meant. An example I was given at the time was, how people can work a few part, or even full time jobs and still not have a permeant address due to being priced out or low wages. Those Saturday mornings with Food for Thought put me on a path that has lead me to being at Trinity today, so when we hosted their mobile food pantry on Tuesday and were able to feed 40 of our wonderful neighbors and siblings, it still makes me burst with joy to partner with this non-profit.
This change in language is something we will be seeing quite a bit around Trinity, for example, last year I read the book, Five Loaves, Two Fish, Twelve Volunteers by Elizabeth Mae Magill (which should be required reading for community engagement), and she brought up using the word “companions” in place of “volunteers.” This rocked me to my core because, when we volunteer we’re most often checking off a task. We’re giving something of ourselves up for a certain time to “do good.” But a companion is someone who comes along side and engages in relationship and community with whatever is going on. Small changes with big heart/intent behind them are one of the things that will be seen as this year goes on.
Now, a final note- I know more people may want to help with FFT or Toledo Street Newspaper lunches but are not able due to time restraints and scheduling, but here is one way you could help that we would really love. For the month of February, we will be collecting donations of new packages of socks for our FFT pantry to hand out on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Winter in Northwest Ohio is harsh and unpredictable, and people can always use socks.
Grace and peace my friends.
Grace and peace,
George Benson (he/him)