On 11/11 I attended a Food Bank at Portland Foursquare Church. Upon arrival there, I had an issue with a local transit card I use on the bus. These cards are called "Hop Cards" and they are rectangular and look like a credit card in shape. The City of Portland is trying to erase the use of paper tickets and replace such with these useless 'credit card-ish' tickets. While the Hop card was loaded with currency I was unable to use the bus properly all day. This is likely due to a malfunction with the local bus transportation system, TriMet's ticketing machine -I paid with a debit card at a ticketing machine. The currency did not 'register' in the card electronically. And, therefore, it appeared to local bus drivers that I had "no fare." I figured it was a blessing in disguise that I was at a food bank housed in a local church. Very thoroughly, I explained this predicament of "being stuck" to a local church volunteer working at the food bank. She stated she "did not have the authority" to administer any church help to me and directed me to a woman named, "Christy" or "Chrissy?" who supposedly works at the church. The volunteer person spoke very quickly and it was difficult for me to get the pronunciation correct of the person's name. I could not find the woman, and ended up asking another volunteer member for assistance. She was rude and souled at me, like I was a beggar. "We aren't resource hub and catchall." Um, seriously? I really just needed $10 in US currency to get onto the bus for two days, until I could sort out the error with both my debit card and the Hop card customer service. It may be a couple of days.
Now, technically speaking it is my fault for not having some "cash on hand." But, I cannot change this fact. Simply all I needed was $10 USD in currency. While the church was unable to administer any 'help' to me, I spoke to three separate persons, all knew I was stranded. None of them offered personally to help me, whatsoever - especially with regards to monetarily. None of them asked clarifying questions as to my welfare or well-being or how I would get home, etc. I was going quite a ways out of the area, as well. I hardly know anyone in the Portland-metro area, at all. And, now I am literally left hanging by these people? I felt very 'shamed' for asking for a few dollars. I was surprised they didn't have a petty cash fund for something like this, nor any other offering. Still, I am stranded in the city center, without a way back to my home. I knocked on the door of this church for assistance, due to a random situation. I am still unsure how I am going to get home, and I have put myself in a position of being vulnerable with a few church members, yet was 'scolded' and talked 'at' not talked 'to' by these Separationists. "You're the poor" and "we're the church over here." I mean, give me a break. Really? Such disdainful glares over $10 USD. No one was thinking of my safety or welfare. No one offered to make a real sacrifice of time, energy, or currency to help me solve this very manageable problem. I was looked at like a real 'problem' that needed to be 'rid of their presence' because they would have to wipe the fake smiles off their faces and be serious for a few moments, and actually walk the talk. The three women at Portland Foursquare Church didn't 'walk the talk' nor showcase in-life compassion. There was a very clear power dynamic, and I was the lesser. What a way to treat someone.
Alongsiders Church Reviews
On 11/11 I attended a Food Bank at Portland Foursquare Church. Upon arrival there, I had an issue with a local transit card I use on the bus. These cards are called "Hop Cards" and they are rectangular and look like a credit card in shape. The City of Portland is trying to erase the use of paper tickets and replace such with these useless 'credit card-ish' tickets. While the Hop card was loaded with currency I was unable to use the bus properly all day. This is likely due to a malfunction with the local bus transportation system, TriMet's ticketing machine -I paid with a debit card at a ticketing machine. The currency did not 'register' in the card electronically. And, therefore, it appeared to local bus drivers that I had "no fare." I figured it was a blessing in disguise that I was at a food bank housed in a local church. Very thoroughly, I explained this predicament of "being stuck" to a local church volunteer working at the food bank. She stated she "did not have the authority" to administer any church help to me and directed me to a woman named, "Christy" or "Chrissy?" who supposedly works at the church. The volunteer person spoke very quickly and it was difficult for me to get the pronunciation correct of the person's name. I could not find the woman, and ended up asking another volunteer member for assistance. She was rude and souled at me, like I was a beggar. "We aren't resource hub and catchall." Um, seriously? I really just needed $10 in US currency to get onto the bus for two days, until I could sort out the error with both my debit card and the Hop card customer service. It may be a couple of days.
Now, technically speaking it is my fault for not having some "cash on hand." But, I cannot change this fact. Simply all I needed was $10 USD in currency. While the church was unable to administer any 'help' to me, I spoke to three separate persons, all knew I was stranded. None of them offered personally to help me, whatsoever - especially with regards to monetarily. None of them asked clarifying questions as to my welfare or well-being or how I would get home, etc. I was going quite a ways out of the area, as well. I hardly know anyone in the Portland-metro area, at all. And, now I am literally left hanging by these people? I felt very 'shamed' for asking for a few dollars. I was surprised they didn't have a petty cash fund for something like this, nor any other offering. Still, I am stranded in the city center, without a way back to my home. I knocked on the door of this church for assistance, due to a random situation. I am still unsure how I am going to get home, and I have put myself in a position of being vulnerable with a few church members, yet was 'scolded' and talked 'at' not talked 'to' by these Separationists. "You're the poor" and "we're the church over here." I mean, give me a break. Really? Such disdainful glares over $10 USD. No one was thinking of my safety or welfare. No one offered to make a real sacrifice of time, energy, or currency to help me solve this very manageable problem. I was looked at like a real 'problem' that needed to be 'rid of their presence' because they would have to wipe the fake smiles off their faces and be serious for a few moments, and actually walk the talk. The three women at Portland Foursquare Church didn't 'walk the talk' nor showcase in-life compassion. There was a very clear power dynamic, and I was the lesser. What a way to treat someone.