Robert

Robert, 57, is a regular visitor to the soup kitchen, visiting almost every night and sometimes for lunch. He’s lived in the woods in a tent for about 15 years. After all those years, Robert appears philosophical about his situation. Yes, it’s cold, he says, but “you pile on the blankets. I keep my jacket on if it’s cold, sometimes I sleep with my shoes on if it’s really cold.” Although he receives $200 in food stamps each month, “that doesn’t last a month, not even for one person. We make a fire, me and another guy, sometimes we cook, but most times we come here.” The soup kitchen “is real important,” he says. “I know I can always get something to eat here.”