Local Pastor Becomes Homeless For 2 Weeks To Raise Funds For Homeless People
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A pastor for one of the largest congregations in the region is hitting the streets on a mission.
Reverend Rick Cole is raising money for Sacramento's homeless, and he's doing it by becoming homeless himself. He spent Sunday night in a homeless shelter, and Monday night on Sacramento streets with little more than the clothes on his back.
"Tonight I found a spot in an alley," he said.
The pastor of the Capital Christian Center will be living on the streets, in shelters and eating at food kitchens for about two weeks or until he raises his goal of $100,000.
"The purpose is publicity no question, but the end goal is an awesome cause," he said.
DONATE: Winter Sanctuary 2014
It's called Winter Sanctuary, where Sacramento-area churches open their doors to help the needy in the winter months when overcrowded shelters have no beds.
But this year, Cole says the funding has dried up.
"It's critical we succeed at raising the funds or else we won't be able to help the people," he said.
He's hoping to raise $100,000 of the overall $300,000 goal. Despite spending years helping the homeless, the pastor says he's already gained a new understanding of their plight just days into his quest.
"I was one of 50 men who had a bed last night at The Mission. So I went through their program. They have sort of a church service and then a meal at 8:30 and they take you into the dorm – you're actually required to take a shower with everybody. They give you pajamas to wear. It was really an out-of-the-box experience for me," said Cole.