#IAMCARLSBAD - Homeless Fund


On February 16, 2018, I offered to buy a homeless man a hot meal. The restaurant owner refused to serve us. We weren't even allowed to take a plate to-go.  He was humiliated and I was crushed.

Here's what I wrote on my Facebook page:

"I am so heartbroken and pissed off!! I will never eat  [there] again!

I’m on my way to meet my family for lunch and I pass a homeless man sitting outside [local shop]. I thought, “He has to be hungry. I’m gonna buy him lunch!” So I pulled into [local shop], sat next to him, and asked him if I could buy him some lunch. I figured a buffet would be fitting because it’s all you can eat.. well I ask him to meet me [there]. We walk in and [the owner] or whatever she is, that I’d like to pay for his meal. She flat out tells me that I CANT do that. That he cannot sit and enjoy his meal in her establishment because he is not showered!!!! I said, so you’re refusing to allow him to eat because he’s homeless and cannot help his hygiene conditions?! SHE TELLS ME YES!! I am seriously flabbergasted!!! What in the actual f*$%!!! He’s standing there with his head down and says, “that’s okay.” HELL TO THE NO ITS NOT! I am so pissed! That is not okay. I have a few choice words I can say to this woman but God sees all and that’s what I’m going to leave it at!!

People forget that God disguises himself in many different forms and people! You think if He was here that He’d be sitting on top of the mountain eating with those showered and finely dressed?! NO! He’d be sitting with those just like this man! Ugh!!!"


When I apologized for her rudeness, he said, "People treat me like this all the time.."

THIS BEHAVIOR HAS TO STOP

The fact of the matter is: these are not isolated instances. Homeless people are being mistreated and harmed around the country and around the world. It takes a special kind of monster to harm or dismiss a human being, a homeless person, in such a dire emotional, physical, and financial state.

THERE IS HOPE YET

After the Facebook post got some visibility, it became clear we were not the only ones who felt this way. These were some of the responses that resonated with us:




HOMELESSNESS IN NEW MEXICO

Currently, there are nearly 554,000 homeless people across the country . Of those, about 17,000 are in our backyard, scattered across New Mexico.

According to the New Mexico Coalition To End Homelessness (NMCEH), "One difference is that in urban areas homeless people who are not in shelters sleep in cars, abandoned buildings, and empty lots. In New Mexico homeless people use all of these places but they also camp out in the wide open spaces. This use of open space means that homeless people are somewhat less visible in New Mexico than in a more urban state. "


OUR GOAL
We want to raise money for local homeless efforts in our town of Carlsbad, NM. We want to raise awareness and refocus the community to help the homeless. Your money will support the homeless in our tiny town with a big heart. We will reach out to local businesses and help them find ways to pay-it-forward. The funds we are raising will go to the purchase of mobile shower units to be placed throughout our town. 

Most of all, we want to help the man that inspired the creation of this fund.

The man that was refused service. 

The man that was not welcome in a restaurant fit for the general public.

The man that was not shown common respect and dignity.

Finally, the man that began to tell himself he was not, in fact, going to get a meal.

If everyone gave $5 for a hot meal, imagine what we could accomplish!

Will you be the light that helps restore his faith in humanity?


Your donation is a testament, that while a plate of lunch has a price, kindness if free. Homelessness can happen to anyone. On that day, when that homeless man was denied a meal, every single one of us was denied a meal. You are Carlsbad. We are Carlsbad. 

I am Carlsbad.

We set up a Facebook page for #IAmCarlsbad to continue to advocate and educate the public on this story and stories similar to this one. We'll use this page to stay connected  with you so you can see first-hand the direct results of your kindness and generosity. Keep in touch and give us a Like!

*A Note About the Images
In order to protect the privacy of this homeless man, we chose not to use actual photographs of him. Instead, the images chosen depict an indiscriminatory view of poverty and homelessness. In the future, if this man and others, choose to be seen on photo or video, we will post those on the Facebook page.

** Note about #IAmCarlsbad
It is not our intention to close down this business. We are simply using the negative experience to help address a very real issue in our community: homelessness.

We thank you again for your support!