Local College Students Get Lesson From Santa Ana's Homeless

Two hundred peanut butter sandwiches, 108 pairs of socks, 100 water bottles, 28 orange bibles and 25 first aide kits are meticulously packed into the trunk of a black Jeep Wrangler the morning of February 21, 2015. Eighteen Shine Church College Group students, gather at the Santa Ana Civic Center, where they meet monthly to serve the city’s growing homeless population.

Located between Irvine and Garden Grove, Santa Ana’s percentage of individuals below poverty level exceeds that of it’s neighbors by 6 percent and 9 percent (respectively). To Tim Loo, the College Group youth pastor, it seems unfathomable that there is such an extensive homeless population in Santa Ana, when in Irvine homelessness seems rare.

“I grew up in Irvine, and we used to joke that patrol cars would pick up homeless people and drop them in Santa Ana.” Loo laughs, “Maybe it’s not so far from the truth.”

Over half of the students in attendance are Irvine residents, others are from Newport Beach and Mission Viejo. Loo says that when he started the monthly volunteer event a year ago, it was his goal to show his students how close they were to a population of people that needed help. At 7:15 am, Loo calls the students together. The group stands with heads bowed and prays. At 7:17 am, the students separate into pairs, grab provisions and head off in different directions. College Group members are followed as they distribute their materials. Some of the homeless individuals ask if they can take an extra sandwich for their friend, others push their way through the crowd to ensure they get their share.

Blake Dalton, 23 carries with him a wagon full of water bottles, and a Bible. He disperses the water bottles among several groups of individuals. Some ask him if he has any money on him, others ask if he has any food.

“My friends are coming with sandwiches, so just hold tight,” He tells them.

This is Dalton’s eighth time serving the homeless with Shine Church. He gets down on both knees and prays with a woman in a wheelchair, and grabs a milk bone out of his pocket for her dog.

"You start to know the people here. It’s cool ‘cause they start to remember you too.” Dalton says.

The woman in the wheel chair, is Delene. She has lived in Santa Ana for over 20 years. Up until recently, she rented a couch from a friend of hers. But when he moved upstate, she had no where else to go.

“A lot of them have drug problems, but some of them are honest people who are just trying to get back on their feet,” says 20 year old Kelly Whiel.

By 8:30 am, there are no sandwiches, socks, water bottles, bibles or first aide kits left. The College Group con

tinues to wander, offering prayer and conversation to the huddled masses.

“They’re our neighbors, but they live such different lives than us,” says 22 year old Natalie Donovan. “I really feel like I get more out of the experience than I give. It reminds me to be thankful for the little things.”

Right: Students make peanut butter sandwiches at the Shine Church Youth Center.