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Steve
Opening the car door, Steve shows us what he has inside of the minivan. A mosquito net hangs on the windows to help lower the amount of bites he gets each night. “In Florida, besides the heat, the mosquito is another enemy when you live outside," he said. "Without this net, I can’t even fall asleep for a second. The mosquitos will kill you."
When talking about homelessness, people might think about those who are seeking or currently living in shelters. But what about the people who live in their cars? It is not easy for people who are living in their vehicles, especially during the heat in Florida. As someone who lives in a van, summer has always been the worst season for Steve.
When talking about homelessness, people might think about those who are seeking or currently living in shelters. But what about the people who live in their cars? It is not easy for people who are living in their vehicles, especially during the heat in Florida. As someone who lives in a van, summer has always been the worst season for Steve.
An air mattress with a couple of the blankets and pillows makes up his bed. “If it is too hot, I always watch the movie on my laptop until midnight then falls asleep” he said. It does not look big enough for an adult, but Steve still calls it home.
"You can easily find a place in the daytime," he said. "Like Publix or the city library to stay away from the heat, but in the evening, there is no way you can find a place with AC that allows you to stay for the whole night.” Besides the high temperature, finding a toilet at night has been another issue. “Nobody notices that we have a problem finding a toilet,” Steve said. AC and restrooms. Two seemingly simple requests that are not so simple to come by for those who live outdoors.
This past summer was difficult for Steve and others living outside. According to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, January 2017 to July 2017 set the record for highest temperature in Florida in 123 years. Scientists also predict that the summer temperature in Florida will not get any better. Avoiding heat stroke in the summer will be a problem for Steve and other homeless people who live outdoors this upcoming summer. Florida is a friendly state with warm weather and beautiful beaches, but while many get to go home after a vacation, there are people left outside to fight the elements all alone.
"You can easily find a place in the daytime," he said. "Like Publix or the city library to stay away from the heat, but in the evening, there is no way you can find a place with AC that allows you to stay for the whole night.” Besides the high temperature, finding a toilet at night has been another issue. “Nobody notices that we have a problem finding a toilet,” Steve said. AC and restrooms. Two seemingly simple requests that are not so simple to come by for those who live outdoors.
This past summer was difficult for Steve and others living outside. According to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, January 2017 to July 2017 set the record for highest temperature in Florida in 123 years. Scientists also predict that the summer temperature in Florida will not get any better. Avoiding heat stroke in the summer will be a problem for Steve and other homeless people who live outdoors this upcoming summer. Florida is a friendly state with warm weather and beautiful beaches, but while many get to go home after a vacation, there are people left outside to fight the elements all alone.
Frances
Like clockwork, Frances Ingram parks her car right at 7:40 am and walks into the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank. What kind of food will she get today? Her goal is simple, to make the homeless feel human again. As a volunteer at First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Frances spends Tuesdays intentionally picking out food for the large group who will gather on Wednesday for a warm meal. “The weather will be super cold on Thursday," she says. "I need to get more stuff than usual so they can take some food with them to make it through the cold nights." Frances grabs a cart and begins her shopping.
She inspects the hot chocolate before carefully placing it into the cart. She's thinking about another volunteer, Mario Martinez, who makes cuban coffee and hot chocolate to help the homeless stay warm. The coffee station has become a popular part of the weekly meal and is satisfying for those who cannot afford to buy a cup on their own.
With three full carts of food and drinks she still needs to buy meat. “In the cold nights, meat could really help the homeless to stay warm and provide them energy to stay away from the cold," she says. A cart full of frozen meat weighing close to 400lbs is being pulled out by the employees at the food bank. “It looks like a lot of food but every Wednesday almost 200 people come for dinner. We are trying to offer them as much as we can."
Frances packs everything into the car and is ready to begin prepping for tomorrow's meal. Offering healthy food to the homeless is her life's mission. “They can have a meal and take some food to go," she says. "At least it's healthy food and they don’t need to stand on the street to beg for couple of days.” With all of the items checked off the list Frances finishes her grocery shopping right at 8:45am, like clockwork.