Preventing Homelessness
Promoting Self-Sufficiency
Providing Affordable Housing

Below we begin to share with you the personal recollections of Lyle Morris, a long-time Board member of SHELTER, Inc. who passed away last year. In these collected stories, titled “A Drop of Water in a Quiet Stream,” Lyle remembers how he became interested and involved in the issues surrounding homelessness, a journey which “resulted in a personal examination of convictions to myself and others.” We hope you will find these stories as interesting and inspiring as we did. Enjoy!

Part 1 - The Journey Begins

A very stressful day at work was responsible for the journey I began. This journey which has resulted in a personal examination of convictions to myself and others. Oftentimes, I took the Cable Car to the end of the line and back to relax and watch the interesting, busy people of San Francisco. On this particular day, I decided to ride to the end of the line, walk to the Bart train a few blocks away, and then be on my way to Walnut Creek.

I arrived at the end of the Cable Car line and began my walk to the Civic Center Bart Station. As I approached Civic Center, I saw many grocery carts and boxes of personal items that belonged to the homeless. I did not walk around the block that day, as most people choose to do, but instead walked through the center of the plaza where the homeless had congregated. I was shocked to see lamps, toasters, coffee makers, brooms, mops, curtains, pillows, radios, and all the other usual items found in homes were in boxes and shopping carts near a space in the plaza they had claimed as their own for the night.

Upon reaching the other side of the plaza, I noticed a long line of people leading to a van parked along the road. The homeless were waiting in line to receive a sandwich and drink from the people in the van. I felt compelled to do something for them at that time but the only thing I could think of was to offer money. I walked up to the head of the line and asked: “Who is in charge?” I saw a look of concern in the man’s eyes as he looked at me in my suit and tie. It occurred to me later that this man feared I was going to ask him for his permit to distribute food. I evidently dispelled his fears when I told him I wanted to donate ten dollars to help pay for the expenses of the sandwiches. He told me I didn’t have to do that but I insisted on his taking the money to help pay for the next sandwiches he would distribute.

I continued my walk to the Bart station and while sitting on the train during the ride home I began to reflect on the experience that had just taken place. I examined my feeling upon entering the Civic Center and my walk through the center of the plaza of the homeless. I was somewhat in disbelief that people could throw lamps, toasters, pots and pans in boxes or carts and bring them to the park. This certainly did create an eyesore for the City of San Francisco. The weather was cool and balmy and yet these people were as warm as they were going to be that night as I made my way to my heated home with a hot meal waiting for me.

I wondered why none of the homeless in the long line yelled at me as I approached the head of the line. Did they, like the man in charge, think I was some official from City Hall? I wondered why the man in charge did not want to accept my money until I said “use it to feed more homeless tomorrow.” I reflected on the feeling I had when I walked away from him and the homeless people in the line and heard them say to me “Thank you, man!”, “God bless you!” and “Thanks for helping us!” It felt good, and I rationalized that in a small way, I had helped a few homeless in their very sad situation. I know, in the past, I could have left this situation feeling very good about the fact that I did my part to help the homeless. This time it was different, and there were too many questions I was struggling with that I had no answers for. The problems of the homeless were so big; and yet for me to do nothing about it would not help solve the problem.

I reflected back on a quote I had read in the San Francisco Chronicle a few weeks before by Edmund Burke. “No greater mistake was made by man than he who did nothing because all he could do was a little.” I knew I needed to do something… but what?

Part 2 - A Visit to City Hall

I found myself reflecting on the experiences of the first part of my journey with the homeless throughout the next week. I kept wondering what could really be done for the homeless to solve this big problem.

I had no answers, and felt that I needed to know more of the problem before I could even think of any solutions. I decided to continue with handing out sandwiches for the moment, so I could at least continue to be involved until something more by way of an answer came to me.

As I walked down Powell Street towards the Civic Center I saw a man and a woman sitting together, and I walked over to them and asked if they would care for a sandwich. The woman responded with a quick yes and then proceeded to tell me how wonderful she thought it was that I was taking time out of my busy day to help those in need. She went on to say that she and her husband were not going to be here long. She was determined to find work and get back on her feet once again. I tried to encourage her and praised her determination to succeed as I continued on my journey.

I felt good about that brief exchange between us. I had heard from a homeless person who did not want to remain homeless but rather be back on top and productive like all of us. But at the moment, I wasn’t able to reflect on this exchange for very long as I was approaching the Civic Center.

I then walked over to an elderly man sitting under a tree on a bench. I walked up to him with a sandwich in my hand, and he took it and said thanks. I looked down at his swollen feet covered with broken bleeding skin. The dried blood combined with the dirt formed a painful image in my mind that cannot be erased. I asked the man if he had seen a doctor or was able to find medical assistance. He said no, he couldn’t walk to the place for free medical attention and stand in line. He lifted his pants leg and the infection was up to his knees.

I was frustrated with myself and with our society that this was allowed to happen. I didn’t know enough about the services available or where to turn for help. At the moment all I could do for the man was pray and walk on wondering how I could get help for him.

I continued distributing my sandwiches that day and I began to see that this journey had to be more than just handing out sandwiches. That week I was determined to pursue what was available in San Francisco to help the homeless.

While watching TV one evening that week I saw a woman from San Francisco who was being interviewed about the census of the homeless that was going to be taken in March. I made note of her name and the next day I called her at the City Hall. The interesting thing about that call was that evidently many people had seen her on TV who were homeless and had been calling. She took me for “one of those people” and once I had established I was not homeless but interested in finding out how I could help, she apologized for being so sharp with me at the beginning of our conversation and proceeded to help me establish an appointment in City Hall the next day with someone from the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness. I wondered, as I looked back on that conversation, why did the tone or treatment of the conversation with me take on a different mood once she found out I was not homeless?

Part 3 - Conclusion

As I look back to that first walk through the Civic Center Plaza [distributing sandwiches to the homeless] and my feelings of not knowing what I could do or what I might become involved in, little did I know what the future held. At that time, I also wanted to keep this activity to myself but the more I got involved the news sort of leaked out on its own.
I received a letter from the Mayor of San Francisco thanking Del Monte for its assistance with a personal note of thanks for my involvement in distributing sandwiches to the homeless...Several weeks later I received a telephone call from the V.P. who proceeded to tell me that she had taken the liberty to write an article for the “Brand News” (a Del Monte publication) about my work with the homeless. Well, so much for keeping my project to myself.

After the article was published I found that many were very interested in what I was doing and had several volunteer to give clothes, offers to help train the homeless on word processing when the time comes, and others who wanted to know more than what they read in the newspapers about the homeless situation.

The initial purpose in keeping a journal of my experiences was for me to be able to reflect on the inner meaning of my involvement. I had shared a few of my experiences with people who had shown an interest and they said that I should share my experiences with others. I didn’t think many people would really understand my purpose in becoming involved, and I don’t want anyone to misinterpret any of my personal feelings as judgemental or that others should do what I have done. This is a personal choice of mine.

I must share with you one last meaningful experience I had at the Community Housing Project Christmas Party. Josh Brandon, (the staff person...I had the meeting with in the City Hall at the beginning of my journey) came up to me and said, “Lyle, I think it is wonderful the way you have accepted us and feel so at ease and at home with us. Your involvement with the homeless is like a drop of water in a quiet stream, where only the immediate reaction is seen, but the rippling effect goes on and on.”