Video: Homeless Advocate Seeks To Raise Awareness Of Those Struggling To Survive

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s nearly lunchtime and Mack Turner is making the rounds.

Although it’s Labor Day, Turner does not take a holiday. For several years now, he’s been building relationships with Tupelo’s homeless population, one person at a time.

“We’ve been under bridges, in the woods,” Turner said.

In this park near Crosstown, he meets Dennis.

As they talk, Turner discovers that Dennis uses a bike for transportation, but has had a blowout, and doesn’t have the money for repairs. He also finds out that Dennis, who has been in the area for about a year, is a talented artist, who wants a job.

“I will be 51 next Friday,” Dennis said.

What kind of work are you looking for?

“Anything, I will do construction, anything right now,” Dennis responded.

Turner, who runs a ministry called “United Brothers and Sisters of Mississippi” tells Dennis he will get him a meal and help him get some clothes.

As he heads to east Tupelo, Turner is also on the lookout for two homeless men, missing since the tornado. He takes us to the Mud Creek bridge, where several homeless people are known to live.

No one is in sight, but personal items, clothes, old mattresses, and other belongings are part of the makeshift campsite. It’s not clean, and the smell is strong.

“I wouldn’t put a dog under there,” Turner said.

In the past year, Turner claims at least five homeless people have died throughout the city, living in similar conditions.

That’s why he pounds the pavement each day, trying to find help for the homeless population.

“The majority of them want to work, some of them won’t work, some, because of health problems, illness, keep them from working,” Turner said.

Turner says many of the homeless are on government assistance, but he would like to see churches come together across denominational lines to address the issue. Although he recently suffered a stroke, Turner vows to continue his mission to make a difference.

“I’m not going to give up,” Turner vowed.

If you would like to know more about Turner, or how to help out, call 662 523 7124.