REST on a Rainy Night

Reflections from the Youth team who volunteered on January 20…

The first real rain of the season came down hard last night. Welcomed by gardeners, not so much by Marin’s homeless. As a result, our REST shelter was full to capacity.

REST, or Rotating Emergency Shelter Team  is a collaboration between the St. Vincent de Paul organization of San Rafael, Marin’s Interfaith Chaplaincy, and the 15 Marin faith communities who provide food and shelter for men and women on each night of the week during the winter months. Our church hosts on Friday nights, and last night our regular shelter volunteer team was ably assisted

by the Youth Group and their parents.

At 6:15, our guests started coming through the doors. And they kept on a’coming—49 men. Quickly, we had to restock the hot water and coffee and cocoa packs as they made a beeline for something warm to drink. We worried if we would have enough food as we quickly set up two more tables. After the men settled, we gathered in a circle, welcomed our guests, and introduced ourselves by first name. Joy announced the menu…four kinds of chili and cornbread. “YES!” said one guest, as he pumped his fist in celebration.  Royce blessed our food, and asked the God of us all to watch over us. Then it was time to eat.

“Grab a bowl for chili, a plate for salad!” As our guests and hosts came through the line, we described the four choice of chili…veggie, meat, turkey, or sausage and olives. Many of the men would choose this AND that, holding out both bowl and plate. Hmmm. As the line was still extended deep into Duncan Hall, should we hold back a little? Say “come back for seconds?” We went the route of faith— and we piled on the servings.

Water and milk were served at the table. Many men went back for seconds on food. Conversations were taking place at different tables. We talked about the weather. Some of the men reminisced about Marin in the early days; catching the train as a 10-year old from Mill Valley to Sausalito, or hanging out at the top of Mount Tam in high school. Some men preferred silence, or found a spot on the floor to read or rest. One of the young men, a veteran, said he was ‘newly homeless.’ As some of the men do, he told his story of how he lost his housing.

Phyllis was there for the Closely Knit group, with two tables spread out with caps, scarves and fingerless mitts.  As they did Christmas weekend, the men had fun choosing just the right one — and graciously thanked us for making them. When there were only a few left, Phyllis took them around the hall to make sure all the men had a chance to choose. The last few were sent with the men to St. Vincent Dining Hall. All together we gave out 51 cops, 53 scarves and 27 pairs of mitts.

After the brownies were served, it was time to clean up. Many of our guests have been here before and know the drill. They helped bus tables, and stack chairs. The kitchen was a-buzz with people washing dishes, drying dishes, sorting utensils, and putting things away.  Out of the original seven vats of chili, one solitary bowl remained on the counter as left-overs; a modern-day story of loaves and fishes. The men arranged bed rolls and settled in, some went outside to smoke. By 8pm, the work was done. They were grateful, and so were we, for the time shared. It is fulfilling to do something concrete that makes an immediate difference in someone’s life.

“Can I help you with that?” said the men at the door as we left with our loads. “I got it, you stay dry, but thanks.” “Good  night!” we said to each other with a wave and a smile. “Thanks so much for everything!” a few men called out.

Food prepared and shared. Tables set with linens and flowers. Guests welcomed. Thanks given. The story of hospitality the world over. It is our story of Christian hospitality. That is what a night at REST is all about.

If you would like to volunteer to assist with REST on Friday nights, 5-8pm in Duncan Hall, please contact Joy Snyder.