I see lots of homeless people every day on my way to work... well, pretty much on my way ANYWHERE. Some of them seem to have it all figured out... they live in tents under the overpass, have loads of blankets and sleeping bags, and occasionally a mattress, plus a stash of clothes and food. Still they are on the corner with the cardboard signs asking for more. Others seem old, frail, dirty. Their clothes are thin, but layered up, as if they do not have warm things, and they are usually very small, both in height and weight. The majority are older men, but I see women, and younger guys who are amputees. I want to help the ones who need help most, not to enrich those who are already in pretty good shape. There is a man who looks close to 70 whose clothes fit him so poorly that he is constantly hitching up his trousers, which are full of holes, and worn over dirty sweat pants. Theres a guy who I never see except around lunchtime who is equally disheveled, though he appears to be several decades younger. The first time I saw him, he was carrying his meager belongings in a pink paisley padded diaper bag/tote. Not very manly, but better than nothing I suppose. A few months ago I saw a video that inspired me to action. The subject was Backpack Project. Per the video, by shopping carefully (and including thrift stores and dollar stores heavily), you could get a decent quality backpack and fill it with necessities including gloves, hats, socks, sweatshirts, food items (focusing on ready to eat items like raisins, peanut butter, chicken salad kits, vienna sausages, granola bars and the like), plus toiletries. I managed to get hats, gloves, toothpaste and almost all the food at Dollar Tree. A health fair at work provided several first aid kits, toothbrushes, and ball point pens, and I added a heavy black marker, a notepad, kleenex, a few disposable shavers, a roll of toilet paper, a bar of soap, and a washcloth to each. I did not buy ANYTHING used, and spent about $23 per kit for 3 kits. I tracked down three of the people I had already earmarked bags for, parked my car and approached them on foot with the backpack on my shoulder as if it was mine. When I got closer, I took it off and offered them the bookbag with a smile and Hi! This is for you! I then summarized the contents, focusing on the dry socks if it was raining, or the hat and sweatshirt when it was cold, always mentioning that toiletries and food (plus bottled water) were also included. They all thanked me, and I left them smiling without leaving my name. For all I know, they think these kits were provided by some organization. Thats fine. Backpacks, even CHEAP ones are pricey, and a third of what I spent on each kit was the cost of the bag. Another $6 for a Fruit of the Loom sweatshirt (Walmart) didnt leave a lot to work with. The video suggested used bags so they were less likely to be stolen, but I opted for dark grey or black bags so they would be low key, rather than give something that looked ratty to begin with. The remaining 5 kits were based on the leftovers from the first three kits. The socks came 8 to a pack, as did the kleenex packets, granola bars, and raisins. We buy soap and toilet paper in bulk so I grabbed some of those, so I made another quick run to Dollar Tree, where I spent less than $20, and loaded up 5 of those reusable shopping bags. There were fewer items (no stationary supplies, or sweatshirts, and just bandaids instead of first aid kits, but otherwise equivalent). After sorting the items into the bags, I started watching for other people in need. Since they generally walk up and down the lane of stopped cars at a red light, Id just toot my horn to get their attention, and hand the bag out the car window with a Have a nice day! and move on. About 2 weeks ago, a man in his early 30s(?) appeared on a corner I pass every day. He was dressed head-to-toe in military desert camo, and carrying one of those HUGE military backpacks that reached from above his shoulders to below his bottom. His sign said he was a veteran waiting for his benefits to come through. He may have been an imposter but his posture, the fact that he carried the HUGE pack with apparent ease, and the uniform cause me to give him the benefit of the doubt. though I find it appalling that a veteran would have to live on the street while awaiting the money he was owed for his service. I assume he had some things in storage, and his pack probably contained a bedroll and clean clothing, so I handed him one of the grocery bags while waiting for the light to change. He thanked me profusely, and immediately opened one of the water bottles, slugging down half of it right away. I still see him regularly, and considered the idea of packing a bag lunch to hand to him as I make that turn each weekday, as long as he is out there. But a cold lunch of peanut butter and jelly seems kind of shabby, and he might just think I am giving up MY lunch. I figured Id write Thank you for your service on the bag the first time so hed KNOW it was meant for him all along. I scoured the cabinets last night, but did not have cookies, fruit, or anything to add to the lunch aside from sandwiches and a Coke. All the snacks we have are peanut butter, (peanut butter cheese crackers, peanut butter granola bars) and the whole lunch would be pretty worthless if he either disliked or had an allergy to peanuts. When I left the house today it was COLD out. I considered stopping and getting him a cup of coffee, but I dont have a clue if he takes sugar or cream or prefers it black. I also could not be certain he would be there this morning. I see him MOST days, but not always. I figured I could go to McDonalds and get him a gift card this morning so he would have a hot lunch at least, and get real food to pack lunches for the future. Instead, when I walked into the McDonalds a couple of blocks from his corner, I found myself looking for the most filling breakfast on the menu board that could be eaten on the go and settled on a steak, egg and cheese bagel, hash browns, and a coffee. I asked for the creamer and sugar seperately. I was hoping that he would be out today, since I rarely eat breakfast and it would otherwise have gone to waste. It took forever (it was 8am in the city) to get my food, but they handed me my bag and coffee. I asked for a carry tray so I could hand it out the window if I had to act quickly to avoid blocking traffic. I turned around to leave the restaurant and standing a few feet away from the door, I saw my veteran. I went up to him and said, Hey! I got this for you. I was just about to deliver it to you at the corner! He told me he was there hoping he had enough money to get something with egg in it. I was happy that he would not only have a hot, filling breakfast, but a place to sit and warm up while he ate it. I also did not have to concern myself with the logistics of delivering it to him. I handed him the tray (people around me looked at me like Id LOST MY MIND) and went on my way to work with a HUGE smile on my face. I feel like I was SUPPOSED to get him that breakfast today. Something put him in my path so I could deliver it safely and still hot. I also hope that just ONE of the people who saw this transpire (or one of YOU, reading this) will be moved to buy a hot meal for a veteran, homeless or not, or for a homeless person, veteran or not.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 19:19:19 +0000
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