Florida Catholic | Reflecting On Almsgiving

Reflecting on almsgiving at the homeless center

Couple tells story of a journey from middle class to homelessness, then to helping others.

CHRISSY CUTTITA | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 02.15.08

Bill and Randy Whitaker share a cup of coffee and smiles at the Homeless Day Resource Center in Panama City.
CHRISSY CUTTITA | FC

PANAMA CITY | They were just like any other couple you might meet in the neighborhood.

He worked construction, managing hundreds of workers, while she enjoyed the good life being from a prominent family. His war-wounded arm and her disabled heart took the dream home and career away.

Now Bill and Randy Whitaker wrestle with the cost of medical visits while living at Panama City’s Rescue Mission. Daily they look forward to getting out of their same-sex dorms to share a few laughs and reflect on life as they did throughout their 25 years of marriage. They, with hundred of others, share their heartaches and find courage for one another at the Homeless Day Resource Center, managed by Catholic Charities and located in the mission in downtown Panama City.

“I never thought of the mission when Bill was employed and we were home,” said Randy, who describes herself as petrified and shell-shocked when she walked into the rescue mission a month ago, knowing it was the only place they could go.

Ed Cashman knows exactly what that feels like because he came through the program five years ago. Now he spends his weekend hours at the Homeless Day Resource Center setting up the computers, sorting the mail, turning on the TV and even providing some coffee comfort to a few thirsty souls.

“We help those so they can help themselves,” said Cashman, who believes his job is something the Lord expects us all to do.

Pope Benedict XVI’s message for Lent 2008, with its focus on almsgiving, seems to agree with Cashman’s philosophy.

“According to the teaching of the Gospel, we are not owners but rather administrators of the goods we possess; these, then, are not to be considered as our exclusive possession, but means through which the Lord calls each one of us to act as a steward of his providence for our neighbor.”

Almsgiving is a “concrete expression for charity, a theological virtue that demands interior conversion to love of God and neighbor, in imitation of Jesus Christ, who dying on the cross, gave his entire self for us,” the pope wrote.

The Whitakers said they didn’t know what resources were out there until they met the center staff. Randy described these stewards as “kind-hearted,” “even-tempered” and “helpful” and calls their step-by-step guidance “invaluable.”

“Every resource here is necessary,” she said.

“I don’t see how he does it,” said Bill about the Rev. Billy Fox, head of the rescue mission, and other staffers in the faith-based complex, referring to the hundreds cared for by the shelter, receiving food, shelter, clothing, trolley passes and meals — the “little things” Randy said make solving their problems easier. “On a rainy day this place is packed.”

“We are not praying for a miracle but we are praying for the help we need to get through this,” said Randy. “We realize we can’t change our health problems but we still have dreams of having a home again.”

Bill jokingly asked Randy if they should get some dirt before having a photograph taken. For Bill, the image of a homeless person was just that — the unwashed man begging on a street corner. Now he worries that more people he worked with will end up unemployed and at the shelter. He now sees homeless people as those waiting for Social Security or medical disability or enough money to be back on their own again.

“Almsgiving teaches us the generosity of love,” wrote Pope Benedict.

The Whitakers haven’t lost their love for each other. If anything they have gained love for others just by being attentive to their needs. Networking with others in need has its way of helping each other out, Randy said.

Even Cashman said he wasn’t the type of giving person five years ago, but that he has been humbled working at the center.

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