CARING OUTREACH: Northside, Jesus Cares Exit 0 pair to feed nearly 400 in need Homeless, Haven House shelter residents are grateful

NEW ALBANY — During the past week, Southern Indiana got hit an ice storm that led to school closures, freezing temperatures and frozen roadways.

Most people stayed inside, but others who do not have a home were on the street camping in tents, underneath overpasses or sleeping where ever they could. However, those who stay near Exit 0 in Jeffersonville did get a warm meal, thanks to Paul Stensrud and the many volunteers with Jesus Cares at Exit 0. Six evenings a week, Stensrud and the volunteers prepare hot meals that they distribute to the homeless at Exit 0 in Clark County.

“When we came back from Africa as a family, we wanted to continue doing missions, but we didn’t have money. I live paycheck by paycheck, so it was very difficult, but God provided for us to go on this mission,” Stensrud said. “There’s a lot of people who want to do missions but don’t have money, so this [Jesus Cares at Exit 0] is the perfect example of a mission.”

He added that another part of Jesus Cares at Exit 0 is education.

“We’re there through the thick and thin, addictions and through the bad times and hard times. To sum it up, we’re all a paycheck away from being homeless ourselves, and this is our way of reaching out and proving love and support,” he said. “We educate a lot in the way that people see homelessness so they don’t think right away that there’s a bum asking for money. Homelessness isn’t just about addictions, it’s about mental illness and individuals in bad positions.”

To celebrate the holidays, Northside Christian Church in New Albany opened its doors Friday night to host a Christmas dinner for the folks who receive help from Jesus Cares, residents of Haven House Services Inc.’s Williams Emergency Shelter and those who Northside serves through its weekly pantry.

“This is the second year for this [dinner]. We’ve been doing the Angel Tree for many years and we were collecting gifts and distributing them. But we felt like we weren’t making a connection with people,” said Doug Newland, missions minister at Northside. “This dinner was born out of a need to build relationships.”

He added that the church’s weekly pantry serves more than 100 families and averages 9,000 people each year.

Almost 400 people were served during Friday’s dinner.

“We are wanting to get more one-on-one with them and serve them and let them know this is for them. This is their day, and we want to make them feel special,” said Dawn May, Stensrud’s niece. “We want to have conversation and we want to get to know them because sometimes it’s cold and we don’t have all that time and we try to get them fed and their needs met, but today we’re here and want to talk to them and get to know them.”

The diners were appreciative.

“Thank you, and this is very well-appreciated by the folks out on the street and the folks trying to make a difference,” said a man known as Moses.

For Moses and his girlfriend, Laurie Trujillo, Jesus Cares at Exit 0 has been a big help, and so have friends who share resources such as food and shelter. During his two years on the streets, he has given back by helping in anyway he can.

“I’ve been helping them [Exit 0], too. I was always on the streets, and everyone knew me. I was an ears and eyes for them on the street, and helping with what they need. I would see how they’re doing and what they needed, or how we can help them, and I would relay the message to Paul,” said Moses.

After the meal, everyone went back to their homes, the shelter or the street. For those who returned to the streets, Jesus Cares at Exit 0 distributed backpacks with such survival items as boots, thermal underwear, propane tanks for heaters, instant meals, handmade hats and scarves and other necessities to get through the winter.

Those returning to the Haven House received care packages as well with hygiene and some food items.

Learn more about Jesus Cares at Exit 0 by visiting http://jcexit0.com/about.html or calling 502.541.2353.