John Tumino

Sous Chefs Winter is fast approaching and our friends outdoors need boots. One of the challenges of living outdoors in the winter here in CNY is keeping your feet warm and dry. One of our goals is to make sure that our friends have the proper foot care during our harsh winters. Two years ago one of our friends had to have two of his toes amputaed because of frost bite. Living outdoors in the winter is brutal and if we can bring some Dignity and Value to someone through a pair of boots so be it! Here is were we need your assistance, you can drop off a pair of boots at IMFK on Fridays between 12-2  or you can make a financial donation here on our page. No gift is to small, we appreciate you and your willing hearts.

John and Leigh Ann

Elenas Pickle Stand Its A Big Dill

Give in the right Place (If You Can)
People are panhandling for a reason. Regardless of what this person might have done
before, their basic living needs are not being met in the present.
Some individuals who have survived from panhandling have admitted that it is a very degrading
experience, and doing so is often a last resort.
While we might see stories in the media about people pretending to be homeless, asking for
money, and then zooming away in their convertible, that is truly not the case for the people panhandling on the streets of CNY.
We always encourage people not to give money to folks you see panhadnling.
Not everyone standing on a Corner is homeless, which may come as a surprise for many citizens in iur community. Over 90% 0f our friends who are standing on these corners are dealing with some type of addiction.

So were do I Give?
If you are able to help financially, but still don’t want to give your money to them
directly, you could ask what they specifically need and see if you could help provide that.
Consider purchasing gift cards to restaurants nearby or keeping a few Ziploc bags full of
things like toiletries and snacks in your car for these occasions.
Depending on where you live, you might see the same individuals every day. If you feel
comfortable enough, maybe invite them to join you for a meal somewhere. It’s okay to
establish a relationship, even if you can’t give your time or money every day.
Remember that it’s okay to say “no,” too. But if you are able and feel called to give money consider a local organization in your community who is doing direct street outreach to pandlers, then give.
Know that your money is going to be spent on the best choice for them.

Also in Onondaga County IMFK has Partnered up and has established the HIRE GROUND work Program. Its an alternative to pandhandling and provides a hand up not a hand out. You can direct a Pandhandler to call 211 for more information.

PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK WHAT DO I DO IF I SEE SOMEONE PANHANDLING
1. Say ‘Hello’
Most people don’t even recognize that the person panhandling is a human.
For many, we’ve been so
conditioned to disregard and not care about homelessness that the brain chemically
responds to that person on the street as if they weren’t a person at all.
These are people trying to survive. And at best, we treat them like a nuisance. You can help
those who are panhandling by just recognizing that person’s humanity.
Consider that other people passing by on the street are mostly ignoring these people
panhandling. Some people are even verbally and physically attacking them for panhandling.
The violence towards those experiencing homelessness has continued to increase.
Can you imagine what it would be like to be spit on and have insults hurled at you all day,
every day? After being questioned and humiliated all day simple
eye contact and a smile from a stranger can go a long way.
It may feel uncomfortable acknowledging them—especially if you don’t have money to give
—but that’s a personal issue
After making a concerted effort to unpack this feeling, I realized that the reason I might feel
uncomfortable when I see a person panhandling or a person experiencing homelessness is if I look at them I must do something.
NOW YOU CAN DO SOMETHING
Have the person CALL 211 and ask for the HIRE GROUND work program. It’s an Alternative to PANHANDLING
Onondaga County
I don’t have to sleep outside or ask for money to meet my most basic needs. And it’s hard
to accept that other people do.
But my being uncomfortable is not more important than their humanity.
I can do my part in supporting those who are panhandling by simply reminding myself that
they are human. I may still feel sad, upset, and uncomfortable, but I no longer allow those
emotions to make me turn away from the reality that there is still a person in front of me.
Look them in the eye. Give them a nod. Give them a friendly smile. Wish them a good day.
Do whatever you can to acknowledge your fellow human beings and Give them the #211

One of the Great things we love about CNY is the willingness that people have to get involved in community ptojects. Meet Andy from Andy’s Produce, I met Andy back in 2002 when my family was running a local restaurant in town (Asti). Since starting In My Fathers Kitchen in 2011 Andy and his company have been collaborative partners with us for many events. When I reached out to Andy last week to inform him of Elenas Pickle Stand and that we were in need of Pickling Cucumbers to continue her efforts in raising money and awareness for IMFK, he didnt hesitate to donate a full bushel of Cucumbers. This is what its all about, a young lady with a dream a business with a community mindset and a Non-Profit reaching out to our homeless in CNY. Do you know who the winner is in this scenario? Our homeless friends living outdoors. The money raised goes towards direct street outreach each week to show our homeless friends that they are not invisible. Now we need you our partners to purchase some of Elenas pickles and with your support we are building hope and changing lives in our City.