Pastor Who Raised $100K For Homeless Now Has Sights Set On $300K Goal
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A local pastor has a new message to preach after spending 14 days sleeping on the streets of Sacramento.
"I feel very moved about what I've seen and heard. I feel like i'm a different person,�� said Pastor Rick Cole.
Cole made national headlines when he became homeless for two weeks to raise money for the homeless. After being away for exactly 14 days, Cole's journey came to an end with a warm welcome home at his church.
"This is day 14 of a two-week journey," he said.
Rick slept on the streets among the homeless with just a few dollars and little belongings to raise money for Sacramento-area churches to keep their doors open for the needy during the winter.
"It's critical we succeed at raising the funds or else we won't be able to help the people," he said.
In just a week, Rick met his goal and raised more than $100,000. But he chose to stay the final week among the people he got know.
"…and I can't get that lady's face...off my off my mind," he said.
He told his congregation the story of the struggle on the streets – the homeless and his.
Cole spent his last day as Cesar Chavez Park eating a free meal from a local church. He got on the light rail toward his church with a new message to spread: Everyone has a story and everyone just needs to take the time to listen.
"After having walked this journey out on the streets that I feel like I can help encourage others to not bypass those souls that they're really special," he said.
After this experience, Cole says volunteering to help the homeless is the best way to help. His goal now is to raise $300,000 and he's almost halfway there.
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