Embracing the needy in our midst

This won't come as a shock:

I don’t always have it right.

Before going there, I want to mention a gentleman who Bunny and I regularly see on the state trail.

The man walks slowly, head down, carrying two bags containing his possessions.

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I didn’t notice the man for a long time. Now, I can’t unnotice him.

If I remember to bring a few bucks with me, I’ll place it in his hands and wish him well. Other days, we just nod to one another.

The other day I asked for his name. He looked away, shaking his head no.

I patted my chest. “Mike,” I said. “I’m Mike.”

He smiled slightly and kept walking.

This story has a point. My friend and others like him are wandering throughout this county. They’re homeless or hungry. They’re alone. Oftentimes, they’re not quite right in the head. The bewilderment of life will do that to a person.

I presented an idea Tuesday morning to the Community Alliance of Citrus County. The alliance is a group of reps from organizations that exist to help ensure the needy are not forgotten. It’s a wide range group, covering a wide range of community needs.

This is what I told them:

Shortly after my retirement from the Chronicle in August 2021 and starting the Just Wright Citrus blog, I knew I had to expand my Citrus County horizons. So, I sat down with Meghan Pitzer, then the United Way president, and walked out of her office two hours later realizing I hadn’t a clue about our needy citizens. Not a clue. Not a single basic understanding of the numbers of folks in our community who struggle from day to day.

Look. I wrote about local politics for 30 years. Other than the occasional hard-luck story, I barely tapped that resource. Homelessness and hunger don’t come up much at County Commission meetings.

With Meghan’s suggestion, I started attending the alliance meetings. Each month, an agency spoke of its long list of clients. In some cases, a waiting list. I began meeting with some of these agency directors for Cattle Dog chats, pouring over the numbers.

Two things became abundantly clear:

We have incredible people and organizations who will stop at nothing to help the helpless. I’m serious…you don’t want to get in these people’s way. Their dedication is outstanding.

Two, unless you’re really connected with those groups or the folks they help, a large segment of our community is oblivious to the need out there. We jump at an emergency, for sure, but are we truly aware of our neighbors who struggle daily?

This “One for All” idea isn’t limited to a 2026 sales tax referendum. There’s a whole other side that’s actually more important than the tax. I’m referring to that net of community organizations, the ones that do what I call hand-to-hand combat, providing direct services to people in need NOW — is that net enclosed? Are those agency directors confident of their ability to provide the services that they know clients are desperate for?

Or would they benefit from occasional sit-downs with similar groups where specific agency needs are addressed and solved?

The answer is…don’t know. I told the Alliance on Tuesday that Just Wright Citrus is a conversation starter, and that’s what I’m doing. A few thought my idea made sense. A few gently told me this was already happening, and I should stick to blogging politics.

We’ll keep talking and see where it goes. Sometimes, conversation is enough.

The concept behind One for All is just that — our community looking out for itself. That starts with awareness. I’m not kidding myself. I still haven’t a clue of the depth of our community needs, but thanks to relationships with various agency directors, I’m at least aware today that the need is great and I can help do something about it.

My new friend on the state trail, I hope he’ll eventually drop his guard some so we can talk. I’d sure like to know his name.

— I’m taking the day off Wednesday so no blog Thursday. I may do that on occasion (read: rarely). It’s not a lack of material, cuz there’s plenty of that. And I’m not getting feeble, thank you very much. Just want to dim the switch every so often.

Know, of course, that I don’t actually have a “day off.” Just Wright Citrus is always cranking, and I am so thankful for that.

Have a great Wednesday, friends.

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