Brace yourself. I have a sweet story to tell instead of my usual anger WTF posts. LOL.
We encounter a lot of crazies in the city – the bum on bathsalts up on 30th Ave who always accuses me of stealing his toothbrush, the cabbie who purposely cuts you off to start a fight and makes sexual gestures I cannot describe in a ‘family friendly’ blog, creeps in your building who go through your children’s clothes in the dryer, so when there is a genuine person asking for help – you rarely turn an eye, let alone believe them.
Except for Claudio. He is always helping others in a city that is usually so rude and vain. If you saw him as a tourist, it would probably change your perception of New Yorkers. (Well, on MOST days – he still has the I LOVE TO BLOW MY HORN AT EVERYONE WHEN I DRIVE bug).
I always see him stop to help moms carry their strollers up or down if they’re entering when we are on the subway, he will join up with a good cause to help distribute clothes and food and diapers to those who lost their homes in Hurricane Sandy, and, like yesterday, when a man is begging for money on the streets to buy formula for his infant child, Claudio will stop, walk the man into the grocery store and buy the largest package of formula they have and hand it to them.
The man cried when Claudio handed it to him after the checkout, and walked away, not asking for anymore money.
The skeptic in me is still convinced he just walked down the street to return it to another store for money to buy drugs, but Claudio sees the good in people. It’s his belief that there is still honest good people that need help that gives me faith in humanity some days when I can’t deal anymore in this city.
So ask yourself – what would you do? Stop and buy the formula or keep walking?
I just thought it was cute to share as a reminder to give others a chance sometimes, because you never know who they might be or know how horrible their situation is – and even if it’s not for the best cause in the world – it’s better than you spending the money on another designer coffee or H&M sweater you’ll never wear.
Sometimes I need to sit back and appreciate the little things in life – like the fact that we might not be able to always buy everything we want, but we are blessed to be able to walk into a store and buy formula, not beg for money to feed our child on the streets. Could you imagine the feeling you must feel to see your own child go hungry? It breaks my heart. Even when you think you don’t have enough money, or space, or shoes, there is someone who would give ANYTHING to have what you have. So everyone pay it forward today a little!
xoxo
ok so… i personally don’t give people money because I think that they might be scammers… I have made a few exceptions in the past… but the thing that INFURIATES me the most is the BAND OF WOMEN EXPLOITING their KIDS and BABIES asking for money… this is ORGANIZED panhandling… and they make their living this way… i have seen it all over Europe and there was a news story done on them in London, that tracked them back to their native country (in that case it was Romania) and they showed their big houses… thats what everyone else’s money paid for!
so, i am sure that the man was happy that Claudio bought the formula, and I would definteily prefer his approach to just straight up giving money, because you just never know!
Yes that’s why I am always skeptical! I never believe them because of this and I am sad to say I always walk past them – but Claudio always tries to give ppl a chance and I think it is just the sweetest thing – I am so jaded!!!
I try to remember that even though the news does reports on organized panhandling and they also only do stories on the radical muslim’s and that has given all muslim’s a bad name. There are genuine people that at that moment have no other options than to stand on the street with their kids and ask someone to help them. I try not to believe everything that the media says about a genre of people and remain open minded. I would have bought the man a jar of forumla too… and b/c I’m a sap, probably a whole handful of other things from the baby aisle and some fresh fruit.
I too have issues with just handing them cash. For quite awhile I carried grocery store gift cards like $10 on each. I would give those to people along with a card for Catholic charities. It made me feel better to give grocery store cards for some reason.
Great topic. Working in another large city and seeing panhandlers everyday, I have generally become immune to their pleas. However, every once in a while, I have the feeling that they are in desperate need and will give money or belonging or buy a meal. My thought is: If I give them something of worth and they take advantage of the situation, so be it. I did the deed in good faith in hope that it would make their life easier, if only for a short time. If you’re going to worry about it, why do it anyway. The gesture is “giving” help. There is no stipulations after a gift is given. Just my thoughts.
Such a good point! You really never do know – its the faith to believe that keeps us human.
That makes my heart happy, and puts tears in my eyes. I feel like you do: can you believe their story? But what Claudio did is what I hope I would do when confronted with the situation. If someone says they are hungry, take them to a sub shop or McD and get them something to eat. It circumvents the possible “money for drugs” issue. If they refuse food, when they say they are hungry, then you did what you could. Great story!
thanks Alayna! I have no doubt you would do the same 🙂
Following from the Harvest of Friends Weekend Blog Hop.
If I had the money, I would buy it for the person. Once the request has been made, it is my responsibility (assuming I am financially able at that point) to fulfill it. If the person uses it for other than stated purposes, that is on them.
Great to have you LuAnn!