Homeless people

Here are some haunting photos by Lee Jefferies, a photographer in Manchester, UK. He started taking photos of the homeless in 2008. http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2012/jan/20/big-picture-homeless-lee-jefferies#/picture=384706188&index=6

Not surprisingly, I've noticed a worrying increase in the numbers of homeless people in Chicago in the last few years. I mentioned this to one of the sisters of St. Paul at the Pauline bookstore on Michigan Avenue. I asked her what she felt was the best thing to do -- give them money or not? She said that she always carries granola bars in her purse to hand out to the homeless people in the Loop, rather than giving them money.

Here's a link to one of my favorite organizations: The Greater Chicago Food Depository, who always need donations and volunteers. http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/site/PageServer

And the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless who "organize and advocate to prevent and end homelessness, because we believe housing is a human right in a just society.”  http://www.chicagohomeless.org/

All photos by Lee Jefferies