Homelessness brutal

America the beautiful … isn’t. The middle class is redefined as the working poor. I pray for the rich because, like me, they need it.

A trip to the homeless community in Fort Smith during early winter mornings found them huddled in the doorway at the entrance to the mayor’s office. One gentleman told me the first person to enter the city offices always made them leave before Mayor Sanders gets in.

Homelessness is a national, spiritual crime, a brutal situation in every town, generally with a population of veterans, women and children. I didn’t hear one presidential candidate speak about this issue. And why bother? As a rule, they don’t vote. There needs to be a coalition of Broken Lives Matter, but protests take energy, and the homeless are strained and drained wondering where their next meal is coming from. In order to receive food from any of the local food banks, proof of income, residence, a current utility bill, photo ID and Social Security verification must be shown. Does anybody care? This doesn’t begin to address medical and prescription needs.

For what it’s worth, I have this to say to my homeless brothers and sisters: You are in good company, for it is written in the scriptures that Jesus had no place to lay his noble head either. But that does not make it right! CONSTANCE DURKIN

Fort Smith