Strangers Leave Food, Clothing Near 'Homeless Jesus' Statue in N.Y.

Strangers are reportedly leaving gifts of food and money near a bronze statue depicting a homeless Jesus at a church located in Buffalo, New York.

Since the statue was erected at Buffalo's St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral last week, gifts meant for the city's homeless have begun appearing near the bronze statue, including gifts of money, food, flowers, books and clothing, among other items.

The bronze statue, created by artist Timothy Schmalz, shows a "homeless Jesus" figure sleeping on a park bench and covered by a blanket.

The Very Reverend Will Mebane told the local WIVB-TV news station that he is amazed by the gifts that continue to be left at the statue.

"It's just amazing what's all been collected," he said. "It's the wildest thing. Never imagined it would happen."

The Reverend added that sometimes the church's staff is able to take the gifts to the local homeless shelter, and sometimes the gifts are taken from the statue before they can be recovered.

"It's okay with us if someone needs something that's there," Mebane said. "I think that's what the people leaving it there intended that it be used."

The artist, who is Canadian, previously told the Detroit Free Press that the purpose of his "homeless Jesus" statues is to merge the concept of a homeless Jesus with the natural city environment.

"It's meant to merge within a city environment, to be mistaken for a real park bench," the 45-year-old Catholic sculptor told the media outlet.

"It's putting it really within the grasp of everyone. Most representations of Jesus are unattainable," the sculptor added."But it's a sculpture you can merge with, something you can experience."