SKUNK CABBAGE!

 Skunk Cabbage’ photo by Nicholas A. Tonelli on PxHere.

Seems like the homeless shelter folks have been reading the Book of Nature!  I think they got their inspiration from the Skunk Cabbage!!!  (See photo above).

This unique plant is one of the first plants to bloom in the (very) early spring.  They have a built-in heater that helps them grow and bloom even when surrounded by ice and snow!  Inside their leafy outer structure is a fleshy spike of many petal-less flowers with a ‘room’ temperature of 70 degrees!  Ideal for those bugs that need emergency shelter.    

They get their name from the skunk like smell they emit, reminiscent of the Corpse Flower.  This smell (like rotting meat) attracts pollinators like flies and carrion beetles which enter the plant and pollinate the flowers.

Did you realize that according to the Department of Housing and Development, (HUD), 653,104 people are experiencing homelessness in America!!! 

‘Stopchildhomelessness.org’ admonishes us to:  ‘Put aside everything we think we know about homelessness in America.  Most homeless aren’t panhandlers.  They aren’t drug users.  And up to 1.6 million of them each year … are children.   

‘The problem is bigger than you know.  

 The victims are smaller than you think.

The solutions start with you.’

Thank goodness that according to the homeless shelter directory organization’ there are 14,730 homeless shelters and 17,045 food pantries and soup kitchens in America!  

Fortunately, some of these shelters like ‘Arms of Hope’, a not-for-profit Christian care organization in Texas provides for the homeless with childcare, parenting skills, career training, support through high school, college, trade school or on their first job, childcare, support for expectant single mothers in preparing for motherhood and skills needed to care for a newborn baby.  While at the same time providing physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs in a warm, family like atmosphere.

A similar shelter is right here in Tulsa, OK!  The John 3:16 Mission whose mission statement reads:  “RECLAIMING LIVES; RESTORING HOPE MINISTERING TO TULSA’S HOMELESS AND AT-RISK SINCE 1952”

‘In the Name and through the Loving Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, John 3:16 Mission reclaims lives and restores hope to the homeless and at-risk men, women, and children as it ministers to their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs.’

YOU CAN HELP!
Volunteers are a key part of the various ministries of John 3:16 Mission, and there are many opportunities for you to get involved. 

The same is true for the Guts Church Food Pantry – (Distribution Center).
4336 S 91st East Ave, Tulsa, Ok.

‘Friday Groceries began in the fall of 2010, as a response to meeting the need for free meals for struggling families in the Tulsa community.  What started as a distribution of free groceries, quickly expanded to providing a full church service.  They give away free groceries every Friday 9:30am – 10:30am.  Families leave with a full week’s supply of food, but most importantly, they leave with hope.’  
Donations Needed: They accept money, food, diapers, formula, clothing and household goods. Volunteers Needed: They appreciate volunteers.  Please contact GUTS Church, Nathaniel Ferrin 918-622-4422.

Take a lesson from the Skunk Cabbage and find a shelter, food pantry or soup kitchen where you can volunteer and make a difference in the lives of Americas homeless in your area!!!