St. Barnabas Apartment Residents Reach Out to Homeless Seniors

St. Barnabas apartment residents presented a $150 check to Chattanooga Community Kitchen Wednesday to benefit the city’s homeless senior population.

“We wanted to help homeless seniors with their personal needs,” said St. Barnabas apartment resident Margaret Stolpman as she handed the check to Community Kitchen Executive Director Charlie Hughes.

Earlier this year, the St. Barnabas apartment residents decided to take on a community project to aid homeless seniors. They called their project “Seniors Helping Seniors.” Little by little, through voluntary offerings, they raised money until they had collected $150.  

“St. Barnabas is so kind to think of us,” said Mr. Hughes. “The senior homeless population –those 65 years and older–has increased significantly. This gift will really help to provide for some important needs.”  Mr. Hughes said that among the senior homeless population are a growing number of abandonments– the elderly whose families can no longer care for them. He said the gift from St. Barnabas would be applied to a fund that supplies foot care, medications, transportation, reading glasses, and more.

Several months ago, The Rev. Buckley Robbins, St. Barnabas chaplain, thought it would be beneficial for apartment residents to undertake a community project.  One possibility was to do something to assist the ministry of the Community Kitchen. He invited Brother Ron Fender, Community Kitchen Outreach case manager, to visit St. Barnabas and tell about his work with the city’s homeless. "This project has had a significant impact on our resident community,” said Rev. Robbins. “It accomplishes the inter-connectivity we aim for, which is so vital to a person’s sense of well-being.”

Brother Ron agreed, pointing out the importance of ministry, even when no longer able to live independently.

“When my mother was in a nursing home, she asked for a prayer list,” he says. “It was the one thing she could do for others. No matter where we are in life, we still have something to give. It helps us to define ourselves by who we really are, rather than by a title or what we have.”

Rev. Robbins believes that thinking of others fosters a sense of community, noting that sometimes the smallest involvement can change a person’s entire perspective.

“This is an important ministry for us and will be an ongoing program to benefit Chattanooga’s homeless seniors,” said Rev. Buckley.

"God connects the dots, and this is a wonderful connection,” said Bro. Ron. “I am so moved by Rev. Buckley’s work at St. Barnabas. We can’t thank you enough.”