“We’re all in the same boat,” begins Teri Dupuy-Gore, “whether you’re homeless or wealthy; we’re all hurting, we’re all struggling and we’re all depending on one person—God –waiting on the Lord.”
Many would no doubt understand if—during this Corona Pandemic—a person didn’t volunteer, didn’t give back and chose to circle the wagons, and stay in their safe zones, cut off from the rest of the world.
Not so for Gore, director of The Hub Lafayette. “And it just seems natural, it just seems like that’s what I’m supposed to do. I mean like it wasn’t an option.”
At its base of operations at Lafayette’s Bayou Church, you hear the day’s game plan. “It’s a hot dog and chips; you’re also delivering a water and food that lasts for four days,” says Gore.
Each plastic bag will soon have a home. Each of these bags will help someone who’s homeless. That’s the mission of The Hub Lafayette, to let others know they are loved..
Great volunteers come to the forefront and twice a week, a bag containing enough food for four days for a single person is delivered to a participating hotel.
“So, we are putting six different proteins; we always put peanut butter and crackers then we will do sardines, Chef Boy-R-De, soups with meat, anything with a pop top with meat,” explains Gore as she stands over her donated and purchased food products.
It isn’t always easy, says Hub Director Teri Dupuy Gore. Money runs low. As do food supplies. But every time she’s had a doubt, she says divine intervention has made it happen.
“I’ll ask aloud, ‘How am I gonna’ make that happen?’ And every time God has been faithful. Someone has written us a check, someone has donated funds to us. You know, we’ve had a lot of great needs that have been met through such generosity.”
It’s time for delivery, but that is preceded by a prayer. “And in your precious name, all those who believe it said, ‘Amen’.” There’s a brief pause and then it’s time. “Go-- Alrighty ya’ll are gonna go outside and line up!”
It’s a partnership-- VO-AD. THE ARCH, and THE HUB-- all making this happen. Teamwork in its purest form, making sure other human beings make it through the day.
“It’s nice to be a part of your community and watch it give back,” says Gore. “You get to be the hands and the feet, but you couldn’t be the hands and feet without everybody.
