You know the old saying, “You can’t really understand what another person is going through, until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes?”
That’s exactly what a Manatee County woman is doing.
Recently, Christine Monroe-Loomes of Downtown Ministries, a ministry of Bayside Community Church, went on a homeless mission for 50 hours in an effort to better understand those living on the streets.
“I took no money, no credit cards, nothing,” Monroe-Loomes said. “I just took the red backpack full of essentials, a blanket and some hygiene items.”
Monroe-Loomes said she decided to give up the comfort of her home and live on the streets in an effort to get to know the people she is serving better and what they need.
“I knew their struggles before, but after having to live that with them for a few days, it gives me a better understanding,” she said.
The former St. Pete police officer said she left her longtime and steady career to pursue a passion for helping others in need. She now serves as the leader of the Downtown Ministries for Bayside Community Church.
Weekly, she and others serve meals to those living on the streets, as well as helping them with other life needs.
“The biggest thing is to make sure we’re always treating people with dignity and love,” said Monroe-Loomes.
For the people she is helping, it means a lot to them.
“A lot of people should walk in their shoes and see what we did and how we live and everything,” said Anthony Moore, who is homeless. “She did it, and we’re proud of her.”
It's a life on the streets Monroe-Loomes said she now knows more about. She said her passion for helping others will never stop.
“To be honest if I don’t do this, I don’t know who will,” said Monroe-Loomes.
Monroe-Loomes lived on the streets for 50 hours.
She is back home now, but she said she plans to do a homeless mission again.