Another side of the coin
In a previous post, Baliad mentioned an interesting experience with one of the many panhandlers in town. I was thinking about it yesterday when my father and I went to Eastern Market. As usual we were approached by men asking for money, but one took a different and refreshing approach. He approached my father asking for a hot meal. My father looked confused about what to do, so the man took out his wallet, showed him his driver’s license to prove who he was. This alone was new to me but I let my father decide what he wanted to do.
My father went to give the man a few dollars, but instead of taking them, the man took my father to where he wanted a meal from. There he pointed it out and let my father pay directly. He really did want a hot meal but it was his approach that made the difference. The man’s honesty was refreshing and heart warming.
I believe that there are people in this world that truly do need our help and they are very appreciative when we give it. The thought of having to beg for food and to live each day just to survive is sobering.
There will always be those that take advantage of the situation and prey on the good people of the world who want to help, but it should not deter us from wanting to help these people. I wish there was more we could do to help.
agreed… good stuff…
That’s a nice story. It’s always difficult to know what to do with panhandlers. I like the meal approach, but that isn’t always practical from a time and location standpoint. There really are needy people though. It’s just hard to know who to help and with how much.
Atul
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