Every first and second Monday of the month, a small, faithful group of Ruskin Methodist Church volunteers gathers at Commongood Park with one purpose: to offer sustenance to the community’s homeless residents.
“We prepare and bring food, clothing and hygiene items and take time to greet each of them, listen if they want to talk and create a stress-free environment to meet their emotional and nutritional needs,” said lay minister Julene Fazio, team leader of Picnic in the Park. “When we’re feeding and clothing the homeless and less fortunate among us, we’re the hands and feet of Christ.”
The team also hands out goodie bags of nonperishable foods that can be eaten without cooking, along with bottles of water.
One volunteer likes to distribute fresh fruit…