Folks with Signs Along the Highway Exit Ramps or Other Places Part 4

On Saturday, September 15th 2017-I was just exiting of Highway 280 going to University Avenue (towards Minneapolis to visit a friend) from I-94 (St. Paul side). I saw one of those “homeless guys with signs” again, which I was prepared. Earlier, I got bag of bottle water read with invitation “tickets” for a free meal at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities‘ homeless shelters, which anyone can print online…

Give a Ticket of Hope

..this would be the first person to “hand this ticket” too…


I ran quickly to my trunk as there was a red light and handed to this guy saying “God bless you” as the green light came on. I didn’t have time to chat, but I quickly prayed for him again as I might’ve drove by him again (can’t tell with the pic) across the bridge (pic above) when I was going back to St. Paul.

Hope this encourage you to do something similar or better, whatever God lays in your heart. Feel free to come back for possible other related stories like this or share one of yours down below…

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Folks with Signs Along the Highway Exit Ramps Part 3

I was coming to downtown Minneapolis on the 5th Avenue exit from I-35W (intersects S. 10th St.) when my friends and I came to this stoplight. We saw this guy holding this sign..

“Please Smile for me if you cannot donate”

(paraphrase)

Wished I took a pic of what he was holding. I was inspired by his unique sign, so I was looking around my car right away for something to give him before it turned green. I found an apple that my friends didn’t want to eat, so I handed it to him and said “God bless” after he said “thank you” sincerely.

“Heavenly Father, we know you know this particular individual. We pray that you bless him and that he’ll come to a personal growing relationship with you..in Jesus’ name..Amen”

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Homeless guy with Sign in St. Paul

I was riding my bicycle to Culvers Restaurant by Sun Ray Shopping Center in East St. Paul to pick up lunch for my family. I rather bike as it was only a quarter of a mile or so and I love the exercise.

While riding my bike, I rode by this “homeless” guy with a sign by the gas station on the corner of Ruth Street and Old Hudson Road. The highway exit ramp to I-94 was block close by due to the construction, so this was probably the reason why this guy was holding his sign in this particular area.

I decided to skip lunch and give him my lunch as he probably need it more. I bought a chicken sandwhich with bbq sauce (along with chicken tenders) and put it in a separate bag for this guy. I then put this bible tract..

…to give him some “soul food ” too! As I rode my bike to deliver this food for him, there was a “mom” and son giving him money and chatting with him. I decided to hand it to him and said “God bless”, which he said the same as he continued to chat with these people. I did a quiet prayer for him as I rode my bike away.

“Heavenly Father, we pray for this particular individual wherever he is right now. We pray that this food (physical and spiritual) will nourish his body and soul…in Jesus’ name..Amen!”

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Tribute to:

NATIONAL FOOD BANK DAY nationaldaycalendar.com

When you wake up on the first Friday in September make a commitment for National Food Bank Day to contribute to the cause that believes no one should go to bed hungry.

Hunger may be as close as your neighbor or your coworker in the next cubical. Bare cupboards and empty stomachs look just like yours and mine behind closed doors.

Food banks across the country help some of the 42 million men, women and children who struggle with putting food on the table. The reasons range from illness to job loss and a general change in circumstances. Circumstances that can happen to anyone of us.

For parents struggling to make ends meet, the ability to look their children in their eyes over a meal instead of into hungry eyes is a difference made by supporting food banks. Food banks fill the gap for those living on a meager budget.
Many food banks offer educational opportunities that help people change their situation and begin anew. Often, those who have benefited from the programs return to volunteer and contribute to the very food bank that staved off hunger to do the same for others.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Help a neighbor, a friend, coworker or a child by making a donation or volunteering at your local food bank. Food banks take nonperishable food items and cash donations every day. Check their needs list for the fresh items they are seeking.

Use #NationalFoodBankDay to give your local food bank a shout out and to share on social media.

HISTORY
Food Book 50 Logo
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St. Mary’s Food Bank founded National Food Bank Day to recognize the outstanding contributions of food banks around the country and to commemorate the establishment of St. Mary’s Food Bank by its founder John ven Hengel in 1967. John ven Hengel came up with the idea of grocery rescue and food banking and the idea spread throughout the country making St. Mary’s Food Bank the very first in the world! In 2017, St. Mary’s celebrates its 50th anniversary!

They distribute 250,000 meals on a daily basis through the efforts of dedicated staff, partnering agencies and volunteers.
Their mission is to alleviate hunger through the gathering and distribution of food while encouraging self-sufficiency, collaboration, advocacy and education.

The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Food Bank Day to be observed annually on the first Friday of September beginning in 2017.”

Folks with Signs Along the Highway Exit Ramps Part 2

I met a guy (Saturday, February 21st 2015) name Robert Sherman (name uncertain), who was holding up a sign asking for donations along the popular I-94 exit ramp on Ruth Street (St. Paul). I was walking to Firestone to see if my car (air intake valve loose) was fixed. I hesitated at first on passing by him, but I remembered a share from a friend (Bobby) from church on sharing the “Good News”. I prayed and walked across the street to hear his story. He told me that he’s been on disability. Was incarcerated and been struggling to get a job. He repeatedly shared how it’s hard to not have people label you due to your “past mistakes”. He then told me is a Christian. I tried to encourage him, that God will provide. I asked him what he was “begging” money for and he shared, he needed some money to buy a t-shirt from Family Dollar Store and sugar to make Kool-Aid for his kids. I then “preached” about the health “negative” effects of that drink. He then told me, ” I can’t do anything about it if my kids want it” (he clarified that his kids were in their 20’s..lol! I then decided to go to Aldi’s next door and buy some “healthy foods’ (bag of apples, some granola bars, and a dark chocolate bar as a dessert ‘)….

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He thanked me and I asked if I could do a short prayer for him, which he was willing to receive it after I gave him this stuff (earlier he asked for $1). He told me he took the city bus from E. 3rd St. just to get here and hopes to “make enough” $$ then he plans to go home. This happened on a Saturday morning around late teens to early 20’s (Farenheit), with sunny weather. ..

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Other Stories:

Man shames panhandlers who refused his job offer USA Today Network Jessica Durando, USA TODAY Network 8:45 a.m. EST December 16, 2015 kare11.com
“…Standing next to two panhandlers in Iowa, one man held a sign that read, “Don’t give money.”

He had apparently offered them a job at his business and they refused.
..”

What would you if you were in my situation ?

Good News Sociology
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