"Can you spare any change for food?"

[DainBramaged]

That comment stunned me as I exited my local supermarket earlier this afternoon. I turned, and there sitting as if everything was great on this sunny day, reading a newspaper like they belonged, was a young couple. First glance, well dressed, not dirty, no 'meth marks' on their faces. Neither smoking. He shaggy blond hair sticking out from under a ski cap, her dark hair under a hoodie. Nice coats, nice boots on both.


"Is it for food or drugs and booze?"


No sir (huh, sir, are you shitting me?) we're hungry and we have no money.


You have split seconds to think how to respond without being hostile appearing or judgemental.

"Can I buy you lunch?"

YES sir, yes sir you can!"


I had just come out of the market, $43.00 in food for most of the week. Fits in a couple of cloth bags. I had a $20 as the change.

"I need to put this in my car, I'll be right back"

OK, we'll wait."


Polite, good teeth, pretty warmly dressed, but there was this edge, they didn't seem to be 'average' homeless.

Stuff in the car, walking back. I think, what is it, stray dogs and cats, dozens of people coming in and out, they asked me. I'm no angel, but my angels keep me grounded.


"Pizza good?"

Yes sir, if it's hot, we're happy!"

We walk down the mall to the pizza joint. "Where are you from?" Not around here sir."

"Are you both older than 18?" " Yes sir, I'm 23, my sister is 21."


Their names are Rich and Pat. I took it as truth. I have no reason to doubt them.


We got to the pizza joint and found a booth. "How about hot subs instead of pizza, I'm sure you get that a lot?" Quick looks and a faint smile from his sister, "Yes sir, we'd like that, you can order for us."

As I've stated before, we've not many 'poor' round these parts, it's one of the richest Puke counties in the US. I ordered them meatball subs and got them both drinks from the cooler. I spent $18.42 of my $20 bill. I'm the one who will be sucking down PB&J sandwiches this week, but that's OK.

"Where are you from?" Quick glances, nods, and then " We're from Indiana, we've been trying to get South where it's warmer before it is too cold. Our Mom had some problems she can't fix, we couldn't stay."

I sat speechless while they ate, it wasn't my place to ask any more personal questions. When you're poor and you HAVE to get out of your house, it's probably best. Their hair wasn't clean. Their hands were, but it was a while since they've showered.

"I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you have nice clothes". " Oh, (laughing quietly) we just raided the clothing bins over there last night, folks throw away nice clothes around here. My boots are new, little big, but they're new."

Living on the road in the richest country in the world and you're raiding clothing donation bins to stay warm.

"How do you get rides, it's illegal to hitch around here." "We hang out where there are trucks and try and get a ride. It's not always pleasant, but we've made it here."

"How long have you been on the road?" "Three weeks, three weeks."


(disclaimer; we talked a lot more, just too much to write down. They never told me why they left, but they were genuinely good kids).

After they finished, I told them I had to go, and asked it I could do anything else to help.

"No sir, no sir, it's been a good day now"

I got up, I shook his hand, his sister gave me a tentative hug, and I gave them this small compact LCD flashlight I carry to help me see when I'm walking at night. They didn't want to take it, but I insisted.

I turned and walked out tears streaming down my wrinkled old face because there's nothing else I can do for them, I'm too poor myself. I only hope they make it ok, and I hope MY angel looks after them.


Thanks for reading.

[WillParkinson]

1. Awesome...

Thank you.

[mailman82]

6. You are a good person!

Made my day!

[Autumn]

2. Thanks for posting.

:hug:

[ceile]

3. They will always remember your kindness

and maybe pay it forward one day.
You did good. :hug:

[hlthe2b]

4. I struggle with this as I want to help them all....

And I tend to lean towards benefit of the doubt, even if those seeking help seem questionable. Today, I learned that the young couple with a dog I helped in Fort Collins, CO are actually well known in that part of northern Colorado, as they shift their "spot" each day and don't seem to be so desperate to get back home to Wyoming as I was told when I gave them their remaining bus fare. When I saw them at a local Starbucks, a woman caught my gaze and told me that they were "regular" and part of a small group of student scammers.

Oh, well, i said.... I'd rather be duped occasionally than become overly cynical... I really do feel that way. Good on you, DainBramaged. ;)

[FirstLight]

5. so very sad

there are more of these folks than we even know.
Thank you for being compassionate enough to share a meal and some time treating these kids as HUMANS. They probably don't get much of that.

...and I know you will be okay this week, no good deed goes unrewarded, right?
I'd hug the stuffing out of you if you were here! :hug:

[AsahinaKimi]

7. San Francisco has so many

homeless, and it grows year by year. I have tried donating to local food organizations, but this year, hasn't been a good year for me, so I have had to only give a little bit. I have, myself already stored up on enough rice for the month.. and food items that will last a while. (Chinese tea is inexpensive, about 6 dollars for 100 green tea bags. I bought two boxes.) I have also heard from my landlady that rent goes up 50 dollars next month. I can handle it, but its never easy, trying to budget your income, so you can make it the rest of the month. I also have a cat, but would never give him up. If I ever ran out of cat food, the local shelter takes in donations for dog and cat food, so people don't have to give up their pets.

[Liberal_in_LA]

8. Interesting story. Thanks for helping them

[snacker]

9. What a beautiful and wonderful thing you did!

You are a very special, caring, and compassionate person. No matter where Rich and Pat go in life, they were always remember your kindness. You have touched their lives with your generosity and companionship. Your angel is smiling down upon you with great love and pride. I have no doubt about that. Remember, today YOU were a special angel too. It's my honor to be a DU companion to such a caring person. Thank you.

[sam11111]

10. rerminds me of runaways in Latin America and how hard they have it

The Train del muerte rail ride to the US...others living in Mex City sewers for the warmth...the poorest families so poor it is tradition in that region to boot kids out at six year age so they can feed the younger ones. Also......Phillipine families on city dumps (see Children International charity TV ad)

The one% here at the top bears much guilt for causing all this.

---------------------
if no income inequality at all........
$66,000/familY of six

That's the global avg of human income purchasing power (PPP means equalized for diff nations' cost of living) if no income inequality at all....one sees that all
-------------------------
poverty is unnecessary.
-------------------------
At Dain's area and such as Bangladesh etc.

PPP...fm Wiki....PPP List of Nations...therein, see Global Avg. in middle of the list...11000 X 6 to get $66000/family.

[noamnety]

11. weird timing for me to read this

"Our Mom had some problems she can't fix, we couldn't stay."

I just had a former student call last night, stressed and sounding a little desperate, ask if she could stay with me for a bit. She's showing up at my house in about half an hour. Her mom is giving her a ride to my house.

[shockra]

12. I gave a guy in the parking lot a small stack of quarters...

when he called me "sis" and asked for change. He looked me in the eye and said "Love You." It was not creepy at all. It was touching.

But it started to get disturbing when I realized I'd never gotten that much heartfelt emotion from any boyfriend, including the one I gave free airfare to.

Over the summer I saw a young man pay for a few groceries with part of a coin collection. I didn't realize what was happening until I saw a manager peering at a sheet of coins stapled in cardboard and the man walking away embarrassed saying "You know, they're probably worth much more than that. Maybe a couple dollars each."

[nradisic]

13. God Bless You

Man, it really hurts to see what's going on in this country. Thank God for people like you who care to help as much or as little as they can...God Forbid we raise taxes on the rich to better society for all...

[russspeakeasy]

14. I did a similar thing 40 years ago. I still remember it fondly.

I hope you get the same reward.

[MedicalAdmin]

15. Thanks for reminding me to pull my head out of my ass.

I've been too self absorbed lately. Your story reminded me that there is always more I can do. I fear that this will become increasingly common. I gotta live because we gotta fight this shit.

You are an inspiration.

[Remember Me]

16. Yes, PLEASE do.

Please.

[jwirr]

17. Working in a museum that had a lot of railroad things I watched a

video about the hobos of the great depression. I was shocked. My idea of what was happening back then when people talked about hobos was that they were a bunch of old people because I had once visited with a hobo who went across the country sharpening knives. He was old.

But the video made it clear that many of the people who jumped the trains and hit the roads were young teens or near that age because their families were in trouble and the only way they could help was to leave and make their own way in the world. This story reminded me of that video.

In the 70s my kid brother picked up a couple of Native American kids - girls - in their teens hitching to California. He brought them home with him so that they could stay in a safe home over night - get showers and food. When they left a few things were missing but nothing of value. We stayed in contact with them for a while - unfortunately one of them disappeared and we never learned what happened to her. This is a dangerous way of life.

Thank you for feeding them. I hope they made it.

[steve2470]

18. You are a good person indeed ! nt

[lonestarnot]

19. K & R!

[Texasgal]

20. You continue to amaze

me... every time.

I hope I see you on DU3. You NEED to be there.

Thank you for your warmth and kindness. You are a jewel. :hug:

[Awsi Dooger]

21. Great story, one of the best I've read recently

I was so happy it didn't end with a poor twist, that they were local scam artists. That's all to common in Las Vegas, from my experience. There's one guy who carries a gas can around town and asks for a few dollars to start his car. There is no car. He's tried to pull this on me so many times in various casino parking lots I finally told him I was wise to him. Now he laughs when he sees me and jokes than he knows not to bother.

One local black woman dresses well and tells tourists she lost her bus ticket and needs money for a replacement to visit her daughter out of town who is in the hospital. I've tipped the police to her many times.

I know several occasionally homeless guys in Las Vegas. They'll scrape up money for a hotel room for a day or a week but otherwise sleep in the sportsbooks or keno lounges or parking garages. I have plenty of points on my players cards so I use the points to treat them to buffets quite often.

[The Doctor.]

22. Angels travel in circles.

And we're their medium.

[JDPriestly]

23. Thanks. I live in a normal working class neighborhood.

Recently, I have been shocked by the number of elderly homeless people I see.

It's terrible.

There was a group of homeless hanging out near my local green grocers, and then a homeless man approached me for money outside the drug store.

But the folks in D.C. and on Wall Street do not seem to notice at all.

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. I've done that too

And it breaks my heart every time.

[midnight]

25. Thank you....

[JEB]

26. I always give a bit even to the scammers. Damn tough way to get a few bucks.

I've had strangers help me several times in my life.

[bertman]

27. If one has means it's pretty easy to avoid the kinds of places where the down-and-out

live or hang out. The better malls, upscale restaurants, nice neighborhoods are like deflector shields for the reality of what's happening in our country--and probably the whole world.

Being 'solid' middle class and having friends who are professionals and some who are wealthy, it has been revealing to hear the surprise they register when I tell them about the people I know who have no job, who are good hard-working, dependable, honest folks who are living on an unemployment check and have barely enough money to pay for food, gas, and a mortgage/rent payment. Those of us who are fully employed and absorbed in our everyday lives need to have some face-to-face exposure to the plight of those less fortunate than we are. Unless the 'well-off' voluntarily spend time helping the less fortunate, they only have their own comfortable world to relate to.

The failure or refusal to SEE the desperation around us is one of our nation's biggest problems.

Thank you for telling us that story.

REC.

[DissedByBush]

28. Great story. My daughter may one day be you

We are just now starting to pull out of the hole were are in because of a period of much lower income, so birthday money is tight around here.

My daughter got a little birthday money from grandma (who's also just getting by) and we were going into a store so she could get what she wanted.

On the way in there was a Salvation Army guy ringing the bell, and she automatically put money in the pot.

I was so proud, her giving some of her own birthday money to others for Christmas.

Hopefully she'll grow up to be as generous as you are, and it looks good that it'll happen.

[tavalon]

29. This is a good example of the democratic or socialist mode of thinking

and thank goodness many have this POV. What you do unto the lessor of my brothers, so you do unto me? Quick , who is supposed to have said that? As a hint, it isn't Supply Side Jesus.

[defendandprotect]

30. Wonderful thing to do -- !! One of the things I've become aware of is that

one of my neighborhood small vegetable stores helps at least one man who is homeless

who comes for leftover food. Happened to see him one night before closing.

Also, one of the cafes I go to at the shore also openly helps at least one man I saw

with food.

Lots more help is needed --

We need another FDR!!

[onethatcares]

31. at a recent food bank here in sunny Floriduh

they expected 800 people...................1900 showed up for a box of staple food.

the reporter that did the story said, "they didn't look like the average poor, they looked like they might have just come from work".

That's the face of poverty in the United States.

Ya know, I used to donate to Feeding America until I found out the ceo makes 450K a year, I stll donate to other places but FA seems to have a lot of matching benefactors. What do you guys think I should do?

[MedicalAdmin]

34. Donate directly to a local food shelf or homeless shelter

Its a lot more bang for buck. Cut out the parasitic middlemen. Plus you will develop a relatiOnship with some neat people.

[Hestia]

50. I donate every month to our area food bank - right now they are getting matching funds

from the corporations who are assuaging their guilt for having so much. They say they can get a better bang for the buck with money rather than food donations. Seems people donate stuff like sour kraut and stuff that people won't take or even know how to prepare.

[airplaneman]

58. Another donor

I donate every month to the Santa Barbara food bank. About 20% in this rich county need help. They have a great program proudly claiming $15.00 of food delivered for every $1.00 donated. They have a deal with local stores to take all their past "used by" date food and have a large warehouse to sort and distribute it all. As long as I am doing well I will donate. As many americans over 50 I fear finding myself unemployed some year soon. I will likely then be one of the 20% in need.
-Airplane

[Glimmer of Hope]

59. Ugh. I didn't know that about Feeding America. The junk mail is ridiculous too.

[Occupy_2012]

66. Our local battered women's shelter has a food bank.

It's called Safenest, they also take clothing for women and children and small household appliances. Call a local battered womens' shelter, they may do the same. Or look specifically for local charities, we have one that benefits mentally disabled that gets a lot of community support. Sometimes going to the specialized groups means more direct benefit to the applicant.

Also check out local churches, some have food pantries. I contributed to one for years, they don't care if you belong to the church, and they are kind to anyone in need, regardless of religion.

Also, if you have any excess pet toys, beds or food, you can contribute them to the ASPCA. Food banks often gladly take pet food as well. We donate to a local small "family" vet. They gladly take all old towels, throws or blankets, and use them to wrap up sick or dying animals, so they go through a lot. They also shelter homeless pets until they can find a home from time to time, so I've donated our cats' pet beds and baby blankets (they are very picky and won't use some types). Also, they have a kennel service, so we donate old cotton bathroom rugs and they use them for that.

[auntAgonist]

76. CharityNavigator.org is a good resource.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=5271


Feeding America
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=5271


their administrative costs are among the lowest. The CEO DOES make a lot though. .o6% of the expenses are for her salary.

aA

[piratefish08]

32. your post made me change my attitude toward the upcoming day.....

thank you.

[Citizen Worker]

33. You are a decent human being DB.

[nadine_mn]

35. Thank you for sharing - lets hope you inspire others to do the same

with so many in so much need, it can be overwhelming. Your story is a reminder that it just starts with one (ok 2) to make a difference.

:hug:

[Obamanaut]

36. The mom had problems she couldn't fix, so the two adults (23 and 21) left. Maybe

two adults living at home was one of the problems.

[onpatrol98]

39. Maybe they really were hanging around to help her...but, I know what you mean

Around here there was a little old woman who struck out walking to a shelter (a real shelter) because her adult children had returned home. After living well for years, she found herself living at the mercy of her children. They took her monthly social security money, bought beer, cigarettes, and whatever else they needed. She barely got food, was mistreated, and when she got to the shelter, she didn't even have underwear. She walked for miles to get there. I call this a real shelter, because it's permanent living. The owner is a woman who does it, just because she's nice. The residents when you go there are genuinely happy. There are no cots. It's a house with many bedrooms. The food is real and tasty and everyone chips in. Well, the children, of course, brought the sheriff to help them reclaim their mother...accused the shelter of kidnapping her. But, the old lady refused to leave. So, they tried to sue the shelter. That failed, of course. Eventually, they had to hit the road, because the old woman was able to regain access to her funds. They didn't have jobs and couldn't afford to keep the lights on without her. Her house is available again, but she's afraid to return to it...for fear they'll come back.

Knowing they could have lived a better life with her, why did they mistreat her so?

[xxqqqzme]

67. Or not!

Given the ages, 23 & 21, chances are the mother is in her mid to late 40s. I know one such mother who is unstable w/o medication, she has thrown both of her daughters (both working) out of HER house. Neither has a car. The youngest, 22, just spent 3 nights here before moving in w/ two girlfriends.

[Obamanaut]

71. A 22 year old adult is plenty old enough to be on her own. nt

[truedelphi]

77. These days, it is not unusual for youg people in their twenties to

Have to hit the road as the parent(s) is hooked on meth, has unpleasant people, if not outright criminals, hanging out in the home.

[suivezlargent]

37. Very Sad Tale but also very Typical one

since 1981 thanks to Reagannomics and the Democratic Administrations and Congresses that followed who still continue the destructive policies today.

There is NO Excuse what so ever for anyone to be homeless and hungry in America, we as a nation can afford to take care of the least among us. Just about every person in America today is 1 pay check or major illness or job loss from being in the exact same situation.

"A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members."

[laylah]

38. ...

what an Angel YOU are. :hug:

[Diclotican]

40. DainBramaged

DainBramaged

Thank you, for your story. You are a kind, good person, who do the right thing when you are suposed to do so. Not everyone would do that.

Diclotican

[Hanks]

41. The next time

instead of doing a 3rd degree interrogation in your mind about what you see, simply give them money okay? The one comment 'they didn't look like typical homeless' screams volumes about your own judgemental spirit.

[auntAgonist]

49. Judgemental. Look in the mirror.

oh and welcome to DU.

Re-read the OP. There is no judgement there, only heartfelt disbelief that this could be the world we live in these days.


aA

[DainBramaged]

79. Meh

When a woman wears a full length coat, the first thing that pops into EVERYONE's mind is rich


I helped them, too bad you dislike the story......interrogate this....

[Le Taz Hot]

42. This is such a common story anymore.

I know who our usual homeless are around here. In the last year or so I'm seeing new faces -- faces you almost instinctively know have never been nor had ever expected to be homeless. The ones that tear me up are the children and the elderly that are out there, especially now that it's so cold. Like you, I do what I can but we're barely hanging on by our fingernails as it is. It hurts not to be able to help in the way you want to help.

[TNLib]

43. So Sad Young people being recently homeless especially around the Holidays

In a perfect world they'd be at school finishing up a degree.

[Enthusiast]

44. Ya done good, DainBramaged.

[Historic NY]

72. +1

[wakemewhenitsover]

45. Way to go, DB. You're my new role model. n/t

:yourock:

[pasto76]

46. we're supposed to help people when we can

hard to make that move when everyone is so worried about providing to their family for the future.

[marions ghost]

47. I saw a couple of these kinds of kids

hitch-hiking. Boy and girl. You reminded me of them. I think we are seeing more younguns having to fend for themselves at this age, like in the Other Great Depression.

[JNelson6563]

48. Dude.

:hug:

[tblue]

51. You angel.

You may just have altered their lives forever. Certainly their outlook. Happy holidays, sweetie!

[auntAgonist]

52. heartbreaking. I'm glad you were there to help them a bit. n/t

[LiberalArkie]

53. I used to go to Wal-Mart before Christmas and just walk around

and wait until I found a little kid that wanted a toy that I could afford, but the mom or dad would look like they could not afford it. I would buy it and give it to the kid when they checked out and walk away, so the parent(s) would not get embarrassed.

I did it for selfish reasons, I guess. It made me feel like that I had done something to make someone else feel good..


Edit..

I never bought into the line that giving money to someone would let them go buy booze or drugs.

Jesus never out those qualifiers on giving. If someone is naked give them your coat (not something you were about to throwaway, but your coat).
Clothe the naked, house the homeless, feed the hungry, heal the sick. No qualifiers at all.

If someone is going to take the twenty I give them to buy booze, that is not my problem. Someone asked and I did what Jesus said to do.

I feel really bad when I am broke and have nothing to give (most of the time). But this time of year I eat very cheaply, just so I can have some money to give away.

[T S Justly]

54. K&R (nt)

[lildreamer316]

55. Dammit, now *I'm* crying.

Bless you, and may their angel work with yours to help them..

[hue]

56. Thanks for sharing not only Your money, also Your time & heart! n/t

[DontTreadOnMe]

57. The Earth needs more kind people

reading this post made me both sad and happy... I still have hope.

[webDude]

60. May God bless you!

[HCE SuiGeneris]

61. Poignant;

tears running down my cheeks.

Good on you for your actions.

[sce56]

62. KICKED REC'ED AND SHARED WITH THE FACEBOOK PAGES!

"Share the abundance of your gifts and love and you will receive them back a hundredfold."
By an unknown poet.

Well it sounds good anyway. You can only receive good in return for your good deeds!



Here is a great shot of this mornings eclipse.

[patrice]

63. AND it's not all about dysfunctional parents either. Losing economic ground means when your kids

need help too, kids who previously had more of a chance with their own lives but their opportunities disappeared too . . . so you all in the same boat, well . . . there's just so much you can do.

[DesertFlower]

64. thank you for helping them.

[patrice]

65. You've probably seen some of the contempt heaped on people like this. I know I have. nt

[polichick]

68. k&r - Thanks for helping! There are so many young (and old) homeless people in warm sunny places...

...like Florida and California. In Santa Monica's Palisades Park, I stumbled upon rows and rows of sleeping homeless people very early one morning. Often the young ones end up wanting to go back home, regardless of the weather - recently on a beach in Florida I met some great, and very sunburned, kids who were trying to get enough money to go home by selling handmade beaded jewelry. They slept on the beach and ate whatever they could find.

For forty years I've wondered how "the greatest nation in the world" could allow so many people to be hungry and homeless - what we've come to now is beyond shame.

[Raster]

69. An Angel already did look after them.

Bless your heart.:hug:

[spanone]

70. you're the angel

[japple]

73. These two young people are talking about the angel who helped

them. If everyone would respond the way you did, we would have no poverty. God bless you for your generosity and compassion.

[tomm2thumbs]

74. your angel is looking after many - thanks for posting this

they were blessed by you

[DainBramaged]

75. I went back this afternoon to double check and make sure they were OK

I looked around the mall, the train station, in town, they left, they have passed on to the next 'angel'.





Thank you everyone for sharing my story. First some who needed more than me took my groceries a couple of weeks ago, now I got to put some warm food in two kid's bellies.


It's a good day.


Take care of those who need you, even if it's a stranger in need, even if it's a $2 slice of pizza. Their lives are priceless.


We ARE the 99%, we look after our own.

[truedelphi]

78. You made my day today.

There is a ripple effect of someone putting out good energy.

My household survived our hard times in winter of 2006 because a woman I had worked with for all of three weeks, she lent us over 2,000 dollars. She was paid back by our changing fortunes five weeks later - but still and all: the absolute kindness of her emptying her savings to help us still astounds me.

You won't be forgotten.