As Jim Baker laid bedridden staring at the face of death in late 2013 he only had one wish: to feed homeless people.
It would be understandable for Baker to wish for more days on earth or wish that he could defeat lung cancer.
But his wife Merlyn Baker, said Jim always put others before himself so it did not surprise her when three years ago, he said he wished, instead, that he could feed the homeless even though he was not in a position to.
“When he was bedridden, he asked me if I can bag bags of food for the homeless,” Merlyn Baker said. “That was his purpose. I know he was in pain but he was just so happy about feeding the homeless.”
Baker wanted to grant Jim’s wish. So she grabbed about 25 grocery bags and filled them with nonperishable items and distributed them to homeless individuals at Chula Vista parks, which marked the start of Jim’s Project: Homeless Help.
The following month Jim died. But Merlyn Baker became determined to honor Jim’s legacy by feeding homeless people.
The project is already 32-months in and has blossomed into a monthly resource for homeless individuals and families.
Baker said the outreach started out with 25 bags, then grew to 75 bags and today 100 red, meshed, onion sacks filled with food are distributed.
She estimates they collect and distribute about two truckloads of food per month.
Once a month for three hours on a weekend, Baker and a group of volunteers from Saint Charles Church in San Diego, fill up 100 onion sacks with Ramen, Vienna Sausages, soups, dried fruit, canned pasta and other canned foods that can last up to a week and distribute them at Memorial Park, Harborside Park, Lauderbach Park, and Eucalyptus Park.
In separate bags, volunteers give out razors, bar soaps and dental hygiene products.
Baker said helping the homeless makes her realize how grateful she is.
“I always thank God that I’m fortunate that I’m not in that position [of being homeless].
The church spends about $1,700 on food for the program from monetary donations through the Saint Charles Caritas, a branch of non-profits that assist the needy in Tijuana and San Diego County.
Merlyn Baker said they go to the parks in Chula Vista because they have the most parks in the South Bay and a high concentration of homeless individuals.
Merlyn Baker said when she is out in the parks handing out food she knows it makes Jim happy. “I can see him smiling,” she said.
