Last Wednesday the North Bay was struck by an “atmospheric river,” as bands of rain, one after another, pummeled California. The river overflowed its banks and struck the Bay Area on Thursday and Friday. Thursday we served 125 breakfasts at Dorothy Day Shelter, to the homeless…and the very wet.
One of three pre-Covid patrons.
No one knows his name. He’s been coming to Dorothy Day ever since Jadyne and I began volunteering, a couple of years before Covid. For the first few years we thought he was mute. He never spoke. He indicated that he wanted two of everything—two boxes, two cups of black coffee, two containers of oatmeal, and two extra doughnuts, by pointing with his fingers. If anything went wrong, he became visibly angry. After Covid everything changed. He can speak, and he’s polite.
Our second pre-Covid patron.
Another old-timer. I photographed him years ago with his Abercrombie and Fitch sweatshirt. Again, unfailingly polite and humble. I don’t know his name, either. He’s stooped and hunched over now, more than I remember, no doubt compounded by substandard living situations. How many of our patrons actually live on the street I don’t know, but I suspect that most of them do.
Patron wearing a “raincoat.” We have clothes to give away, but not many raincoasts.
Patrons line up at 8:30 (some come earlier), then are admitted on wet days inside. We try not to keep them waiting any longer than we can, although some deliberate over which extra doughnut to choose, whether they want grits or oatmeal, or how many packets of sugar we’re willing to give them. Some ask for ten.
Mary Ann and Matthew. Mary Ann is one of the four Thursday volunteers. She knows many of the regulars, like Matthew, who had a lovely little harp that was stolen. We passed the hat. Matthew has a new harp.
Three and a half inches of rain, cold temperatures, and no complaints. Many express gratitude.