COA
Christian Outreach
When I lived on Elm Avenue, a neighbor told me "they are giving away clothes." I had passed by the COA often, saw people lined up outside; did not know the church helped feed and clothe, not just homeless, but also others, like the neighbor who needed food and clothes.
I do not think she needed the clothes. Did not know until later she used crack cocaine. Much later she was homeless in Long Beach.
I volunteered in the kitchen, serving breakfast and cleaning up afterwards. Homeless peers were surprised to see me behind the counter. I wanted to "pay for my breakfast." The building was full of cockroaches. I looked for clothing once. I helped sort bags of clothing once.
Amazing the clothing people donate; holey underwear, stained shirts, pants, dirty socks. Things I would wash, and put in "the rag bag." Rags to wash floors, polish furniture and so on.
I would drop off canned goods and other foods stuff I could not use. People who give homeless people canned goods, do not realize how that extra weight is too much for most of us to carry around in backpacks. And one would need a can opener, and, if lucky, grill available at park to heat the food.
I miss Long Beach, and volunteering.
