People In Need

I’m so glad I’m not homeless. Yes, I know that is an obvious statement for me to make. However, when we lived in California we saw many homeless people along the side of the road asking for a handout. When we traveled to downtown San Diego, there were hundreds of homeless people with sleeping bags and even tents lining the streets. I also saw several homeless in our small town of Valley Center. I felt very sorry for them. I don’t usually carry cash, so when I saw someone asking for money, I had to pass them by because I had no cash.

Once we moved to North Carolina, I did not see any homeless in our town of Lewisville. However, whenever we shopped in Winston Salem, there were a few homeless at the exit of Home Depot and Costco. About three months ago on a trip to Home Depot, I saw a mom with three children who looked to be between one and five years old. My heart went out to her and her children. While I was in the store, I bought a McDonalds gift card along with my other purchases. When I pulled up to the mom and gave her the card, she expressed a heartfelt thanks for the card. I know it wasn’t much, but I thought that at least they could all have a meal together.

I grew up poor, and so I know the feeling of not having the things that other kids possess.  I just knew that I couldn’t drive by that mom and her kids and not make at least some small attempt to ease their burden.

Another person I give a card to is a veteran that usually sits beside Jonestown Road in Winston Salem next to a McDonalds. He seems to be in his late 60’s or 70’s. He has to sit in a lawn chair, and I could see that he relied on a cane. Yesterday I saw him in his usual spot. I decided to stop to give him a card. As soon as I gave it to him, he thanked me and then got up and slowly made his way over to McDonalds, which was about 75 feet away. As he walked I could see how frail he was. When the cold wind picked up he almost toppled over.

I remember my dad once told me that a good person has integrity. That meant that if you see someone you feel needs some help, then you do something.

Now I always keep several McDonald’s gift cards in my car so that when I do see someone who is down and out I can give them a meal. I feel the Lord has given me so much in my life that I can at least provide a little bit of joy to a fellow human being.

Part of my motivation to write this article is to encourage others to do something to help a person in need. The gift card is specific in that it can only be used for food, not drugs or alcohol. Drug and alcohol addiction is a serious and debilitating condition in some parts of the homeless population. I’m well aware that a few become involved in an addictive situation; but that is not a topic I want to focus on at this time, but I may address it in a future article.

I don’t expect a pat on the back for my meager attempt to give someone a meal. However, I pray that this article will inspire others to lend a helping hand whenever they can. Try it; the first time you hand that card to a person asking for food you will feel a sense of satisfaction that you have made a difference in someone’s life. Just do it.