By nature I am someone who gives. I will give to any homeless person, person in need, collection boxes, donation drop offs, and toys for tots out there. As you can imagine Christmas can be quite an overload of charity for me.
In fact, yesterday I went into Walmart and came out with a super kick-ass steel HUGE Tonka Truck for Toys for Tots. I had this theory to buy one really cool toy a child out there instead of like 5 $5 pieces of junk that will break 10 days after Christmas. It sounded like a good idea in my head anyways.
Plus, I’m a sucker for a man in uniform and that Marine was hot.
Now I am not telling you this to pat myself on the back. I’m telling you because I want you to realize that I am a perfect target for anyone with a hand and a sign. Regardless, I believe that most people on the streets are truly in need and its rarely someone trying to fool you.
You can pretty much tell if someone hasn’t had a shower in…oh….ever.
So yesterday I finally ventured out to the area in my town that has a mall. Its pretty much the most packed road in the entire city. I avoid it like I avoid paying bills. Or changing baby diapers. It has the shopping, food, car dealerships, ice cream shops…if you want to purchase or go anywhere, its one big long strip of hell.
After sitting on the interstate at a dead stop for 5 minutes, I was finally able to get off and slide into the left hand lane, opposite of everyone else, and pull nearly up to the light. There was a guy, homeless, holding a sign, wearing a ragged out jacket and windblown hair. I immediately looked around my car.
I don’t carry cash. I think it must be hard on the average homeless person because I doubt anyone carries cash anymore. My eyes settled on my $10 Starbucks card that I had just gotten from a PR rep in a Christmas card (thanks Dina!). Seeing as I have a bad-ass Keurig at home, I could do without the free coffee, so I rolled down my window and offered him the card.
He looked at me like I was crazy. No, really. Crazy look from a crazy eyed person really does drive the point across. Actually, he looked insulted. I said “It has $10 on it…I bet you could get a muffin? I’m sorry, its all I have.” He said “That’s all you have?”
I look around my car…”Yep. That’s it.” I felt kinda guilty.
And he says to me..
“They only serve pastries and I’m diabetic.”
Huh.
Beggars can be choosers.
~Trisha
WOW. and right there is why I just cant try. we have a man really down the road from us that quote says “I’m not going to lie I need beer” and he wears a red wig. HORRIBLE i tell you I laugh on my way to work every time I see him, and yes people really do stop and give him money! shocking
Well, he was honest, I guess. You could recommend a steamed milk with sugar free flavoring.
That was so nice of you! Trust me, living in LA I see a lot of homeless people everywhere… it is always so heartrending. this website is a great resource for learning more: http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/
Nothing like kicking a gift horse in the mouth. Sheesh! My mom and aunt gave money to an amputee in New Orleans once, only to see him walking around on his prosthetic leg later on in the day. I guess I’m jaded, but I just won’t give to people on the street. But I’m all over Toys for Tots or giving to the Guardian ad Litem program!