Homelessness mars the Highland Lakes

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Every Saturday – rain or shine – a van pulls into a wooded area behind Home Depot in Marble Falls and a horn honks. People from a city in the cedar make their way to Reverend George Perry’s van, where he or other volunteers offer them food.

Many people have no idea they’re there...or in the baseball dugouts across from the Helping Center on Broadway, between mattresses at the mattress store, in cars, or, most commonly, on the couches, floors and spare rooms of family and friends.

Although statistics from the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) show the prevalence of homelessness on the decline both nationally, as well as in Texas, Perry doesn’t see the problem getting better in the Highland Lakes.

“They’re just getting invisible, finding ways to hide themselves,” Perry said Wednesday, Jan. 14, before people started strolling in for one of three weekly meals served at Mission Marble Falls. “I can drive around the block and point out at least five people you’d think are just waiting on somebody” but who are actually homeless, he said.

As pastor of St. Frederick Baptist Church in Marble Falls and co-founder of Mission Marble Falls, Perry is familiar with the homeless population in the region.

“We miss a lot of things because we’re going to and from work; we’re not paying attention to exactly what’s going on around us,” Perry said.

Awareness and involvement in helping others makes some folks feel “blessed.”

“Since I’ve gotten involved it’s made me realize that even my ‘big stuff’ is not that bad,” said Grant Dean, Mission Marble Falls co-founder and board member. “When a cold rain comes, I can’t imagine having to be outside, trying to stay dry under a bridge.”

Although homeless people are a silent minority, it’s a situation that can happen to almost anyone, especially as many folks live paycheck-to-paycheck.

Anyone’s family could find themselves in need: Lose a job or spouse, retire with only Social Security, receive even one colossal medical bill, or all of the above.  

Continue reading part one of this two-part series in Friday's Highlander. 

Mission Marble Falls is seeking volunteers to help cook, clean and serve: contact Jeanine Osborne at jeanineosborne@aol.com or call 512-914-0002. Mission Marble Falls is located at St. Frederick Baptist Church, 301 Avenue N.