Fifty Sandwiches: Humanize the Homeless

by Justin Wilder Doering

Fifty Sandwiches is a nonprofit book dedicated to sharing the unknown stories and experiences of America's homeless. After Justin Wilder Doering traveled the country for four months conducting interviews, Fifty Sandwiches offers an intimate portrayal of the homeless experience in the United States. Readers of the complexities and diversities of homelessness will be met with an emotional and immersive experience that fosters the idea that there is more to homelessness than simply being homeless. With the goal to "Humanize the Homeless", Justin Wilder Doering funded the project with Kickstarter and spent four years creating this project in an attempt to give the voiceless a voice and shed light on the harsh reality of homelessness. This is a self-published effort and a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created by Doering in hopes of raising awareness and understanding for America's homeless population. Doering has traveled the country speaking at conferences, classrooms, and charity events to share the project and stories of America's homeless. Overall, the future of Fifty Sandwiches aims to be bigger than the book itself. To encourage awareness and understanding, my goal is to inspire students and adults alike to be an active part of their local homeless community while encouraging peers to do the same. Whether that means conducting their own interviews, starting their own projects, or donating time or money, we can reshape the way homelessness is viewed in this country. For more information about the project, check out the website at Fiftysandwiches.com.

Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2020

Reviews

[Lorraine Brown-Veilleux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was emotional to read as I’m sure it was to research & write. There is such a stigma surrounding homelessness and I’m embarrassed to say I was one who had negative thoughts regarding those who were homeless. Justin has found 50 people from all walks of life & varied situations that are very relatable. A lot of us-myself included-are just one paycheck or one financial fiasco away from being homeless and that’s a scary reality. Read these stories and get to know those who are homeless & you just may find yourself moved to tears & moved to do something different.

[Maria Zieno Aebi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you, like me, avoid looking homeless people in the eye, read this book. If you think they are all drug addicts, lazy, crazy - read this book. If you don't think homelessness could happen to you, read this book. Just read this book.

Justin traveled around the U.S. interviewing and photographing homeless people. He then crowd funded to get the book published. He takes us into the souls of these people. How they got there, how they manage, what scares them, what gives them hope.

The stories are as varied as the many people in this world but all culminate with the situation they find themselves in. Justin's photos of people who are in their 50's but look decades older are frequent. There are usually 2 photos, one being just a close up of their eyes, forcing the reader to really look deep.

With each story he includes a brief statistic on those in our society who struggle more than other groups- victims of abuse, both sexual and domestic, gay teens whose families would not accept them, people unable to pay medical bills who then lost their homes, blacks, those with mental health issues, those who became addicted to drugs for various reasons.

Many of us know about the shocking statistic that people with steady jobs who don't earn enough money despite working steadily sometimes multiple jobs are unable to pay an unexpected bill of $400. That will never change unless people are paid a living wage. When our society is willing to pay people for jobs that are necessary for a society to thrive, we might start to see a change. (This is what I think, not in the book.)

Not having a secure living situation makes it almost impossible to change their lives. Couple that with the fear of violence or theft of what few belongings they covet and you have their lives.

Read this book.

[Donnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredibly interesting and instructive for anyone wanting to get a sense of who the "homeless" are. The author travels around the country interviewing homeless people and documenting their stories. While some of the stories follow the typical stereotype, there were a wide range of backgrounds and reasons these people ended up homeless. Makes it easier to see how it can happen and how difficult it is to reverse. I was teaching a social justice class to kids and this book was very helpful in giving me concrete examples of the lives that homeless people live and their backgrounds.
If you are curious about the homeless, this is a good book to read.

[Beatrice Hogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the people that he interviewed came from different backgrounds. But on one page, he quoted a statistic that it takes a few months to be found eligible for disability. As a social worker who assists people experiencing homelessness with disability applications, many times it takes years.

[Penny Goodreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart! This book should be in every waiting room. To force us to look into the eyes of the homeless, un-housed, or whatever catch phase is popular today, is a gift that will touch and change us. Then if we are very lucky, change the world. If nothing else 50 people will get sandwiches. End 2022 by reading this book.

[S.G. Benson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Banned Book Club selection. Interesting approach.