Bags on my feet
May 8th, 2009 at 1:22 pm by Mark Allen under Mark Allen's Blog
I just ate my last meal as a homeless man. It was a three day old banana I found in a dumpster and a stale snack cake. I had found a few of them the first day and the first one I ate was the most amazing thing I ever ate. Now, it doesn’t taste so good.
I still have my bags on my feet. Thanks to the viewer who suggested that. They worked out perfect and kept my feet dry during this weather. If it was warmer out, the plastic would have made me feet really hot, but this weather was just right.
Tags: homeless
I grew up in Clay County, Indiana where I still reside. I began my career at WTWO television before joining News 10, WTHI in 1990 as co-anchor of the evening news. I have been m...
Mark I really admire your courage to face a challenge few people would deliberately place themselves in willingly. I am glad to know that there are reporters out there that still have a touch with reality and realize stories that need to be told are not always glitz and glammer. It’s a hard pill to swallow to realize that our area does indeed have homeless and suffering. People need to take the time to really look around, take time to actually see their neighbor. If people would extend a hand and stop living in the “me me me” society we could help so many. I seen on one of your blogs about a young girl needing health care. Please don’t forget about St. Ann’s Medical Clinic. They are angels to our area and have helped so many. As a nurse I see so many that have let
Mark, I wanted to thank you for bringing to light the problem of homelessness in our area. It is easy for someone to think of the homeless in large cities. It is normal for us to look away when we see it in our own back yard. I am co-chair of the Wabash Valley Homeless Coalition. We will be meeting on May the 12th at Ryves Youth Center at Etling Hall. We will meet at 11:00am in the basement. There are many agencies in our town which help the homeless. Unfortunately funding is always limited. Another problem that we see is getting the word out to both the homeless and possible donors. Please help pass the word about our coalition. We are always looking for people to help, including those who are homeless. Our coalition is planning several new projects and can use help. Thanks again for putting a human face on homelessness in the Wabash Valley. I truly believe that many more people now are beginning to understand this issue. You should be commended for doing more than any other news person has done to educate the public. It would have been so much easier on you to sit on your set and bring people in, but by doing the story in this msnner people can actually see what it is like. I hope you get some rest soon.
I am glad you are safe and have made it through.
I would like to ask you to please let people know that there are a lot of different reasons people end up homeless. Maybe a job loss, maybe a divorce. Often times they have limited skills. Sometimes people with mental challanges find themselves in trouble financially and do not know what to do. They wind up homeless. As a result they do not get the help they need, sometimes medication, and it is a snowball effect. Thank you. God bless.