4 dollars

I rarely carry cash in my wallet these days, and if I do, it usually ends up in the hands of my children, who seem to think that my purse is their mystery grab bag. I've become accustomed to the kids screaming "I found money!" when in actuality, they just pulled it out of my wallet.

But when I travel, I need real money, so I actually had a few bucks in my bag that they had yet to get their grubby hands on.

I was a little distracted when I pulled up to the stop light, but even in my changing the radio station, which was blaring a medley of quite possibly the worst 90s songs ever, I saw the man asking for money. It's a frequent sight in Atlanta, and one that I'll never be able to ignore, especially with kids in the car who are all to curious as to why the man is holding out a cup on the corner.

Or the mom of 3 boys standing at a busy intersection holding a sign asking for help to feed her children.

I don't think about the reasons that put them where they are. Or how they're going to use the money. Or if they really actually need it.

I just know that you have to be in a pretty low place in your life to resort to begging.

I had my window down and as the man walked up, he said "hello." I looked over and remembered that I had cash, so I grabbed a dollar, but then realized I had four, all of which I'd be perfectly fine without. I thought of all the change my kids have gathered that just sits in boxes and drawers around my kitchen that I've had to rip out of Bridget's hand before she eats them.

And so I gave it all the cash to him.

"Go get out of the sun!" I said. "Hopefully this will help a little."

"Thank you," he replied, looking surprised. "This will feed me for the day!"

We exchanged first names, and then he walked away. Waving at the cars, saluting to the truck driver in front of me, pointing to the sky.

Returning home an hour later, I looked for him, but he was gone. Maybe on another street. But maybe sitting in the air conditioning eating lunch somewhere.

Four dollars to make someone's day. To give someone a little bit of food (I hope).

Money well spent.

Comments

[Linda]

I totally understand the desire to hand these people money.... I live in Portland, Oregon and we have a HUGE homeless community. There are panhandlers at every freeway entrance, on most corners in downtown Portland. The problem is, and this is why I no longer give them money----most will turn around and buy drugs or booze with the donations. A gentleman that we know that had a drug problem said "never,ever,ever give 'em money. Give them a sandwich, an apple, coupons to McDonalds-NEVER money". I've actually had friends that have handed a sandwich to one of these panhandlers and been told to "F off". I read in the Sunday Parade magazine several years ago that there are actually courses taught to everyday people on how to make money panhandling..yikes.
Such a sticky wicket, really. I used to feel good about handing a couple of quarters to these strangers, but I just can't anymore...

[Cindy]

I hope too that he is really going to grab something to eat, I remember giving some loose change, thinking he'll get something to eat, as I walk by he and his friends gather their loose changes and bought a rum.

[Lisa Benton]

Great post-thanks for your kindness. It is interesting that research suggests that 80% of homeless people (particularly, veterans), may have undiagnosed head injuries. If that's true, then I thank you even more. :-)

[Carol]

That is such an awesome story and similar to an encounter I had myself. I hate to see people in such a state but hope whenever I do pass by I have the means to help. -Carol

[miss.cinders]

I live rural here in Australia, so it's not a sight I see. But when I've been down in the city an hour away or down in Sydney you see afew people asking for money.

In all honesty being in the city is freaky enough without a stranger coming up asking for money. BUT I see it as, I wonder how down they are to have to resort to 'this'?

Good on you for helping him out with 4 bucks. I reckon he would have had a good feed with it :)

[ame i]

I'm in a mid-sized town in TN. I tend to be able to tell who really needs help, as can my husband.
We recently passed a very nice man. My husband said "He's a vet, how much cash do you have?"
The surprised look on that man's face after he struggled to his feet was heartbreaking, but his words of gratitude were worth more than the $20 we gave him.

[Amanda]

It's different every time, the circumstances that deliver people to a corner or the amount of money you have to give, or time to spend contemplating.

I'm glad you shared this story, like a post Tanis once wrote about how to see all children, this post will shift the light in which I see hands extended for help.

[Amanda]

I guess living in Chicago you grow to ignore a lot of the panhandlers on street corners. As horrible as that sounds, it is hard to tell which ones really need it or which ones are just abusing the system. When I first moved to 'the big city' I would always give my change to this one guy near the train station, untill one day I saw that same guy walk a couple blocks down, get into his bran new car, pull out a fancy cell phone and drive away. Needless to say I stopped giving him my change, but about a month or so later I got up the nerve to ask him about it. I dont remember the entire conversation but I do remember him saying he made close to $28,000 a year panhandling. I was shocked! I worked my butt off the make a little over 25,000 a year, and this guy just stood there with a cup everyday during rushhour. After this insidence and a couple other shadey encounters I decided to change my tactics. Now whenever I walk to lunch, if I see someone with a sign saying they need money for food, I simply order a foot long sub, instead of my normal 6 inch and have them wrap the 2 sides seperately so that on my way back to work I hand them the sub. Some of them are greatful, and that makes me feel like I helped out. But others you can tell would rather just get money. (granted those people I sometimes want to point out that thier sign actually says "please help, need food") Either way, this way I can help people without feeling cheated. I know not everyone is like this, I have seen plenty of people who really do need help. But personally I try to just actually give them things. Sometimes Food, sometimes an old sweatshirt I had in my bag. It just depends on the situation. I'm not saying you should stop giving money to people who need it, just be aware of some of the scams you can encounter in bigger cities.

[Heather]

You are so sweet! I'm sure it made his day much more bearable.

[Mummy Tales]

Good gesture. It never hurts to share when you have been blessed with extra.

[Erin]

I absolutely agree. There's no way to know for sure if they need the money for food or not, but it doesn't hurt to give a little, just in case.

[Issa]

Can I just say thank you? From my family to you. Thank you.