Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - For 25 years, Pastor Eric Johns of the Buffalo Dream Center spent Thanksgiving week outside with the homeless of Buffalo. This year, his sons and nephews have taken up the cause.
It's become one of Buffalo's longest-running holiday charity initiatives.
"This all started because of Boxes of Love," said Eric's son Nate Johns, who joined WBEN from under an overpass Tuesday morning. "We wanted to raise money for that because around Christmas time we give gifts to 4,000 kids and food to about 3,500 families. So this really started as a way to raise awareness for that."
Nate said he never remembers a Thanksgiving where his father wasn't on the street, and now he's beginning to see why.
"It's definitely a life-changing experience," Nate said. "Not everyone experiences what it's like to live a week on the streets homeless, but it's really eye opening. It's amazing."
Every year, the Johns family sees familiar faces on the streets.
"A big part of this week is building relationships with different guys on the street. Just sitting down and talking with some guys that are chronically homeless... hearing their stories and listening to them is just really eye-opening."
The entire week aims to raise awareness for the Buffalo Dream Center's outreach initiatives. More information can be found HERE, and donations are being accepted HERE.
