The Drive-By

As fall sets upon us the streets are lined with leaves changing color, squirrels chasing after the dropping acorns, and homeless people starting to bundle up asking for some pre-winter help.  While at a traffic light this weekend my husband and I silently gazed at the shivering man at the stop light corner.  The quiet was broken when my husband made the surprising comment "I wish that my jacket in the back seat wasn't for work.  I want so badly to give it to that man.  If it didn't have that dumb work logo on it, I would give it to him."  My heart melted. Not only for the helplessness of this cold man outside but also for my husbands desire to help warm someone in need.

It was a brief and sudden reminder of how easy it is to drive by those we see so often on the corners.  I am not pretending that there are not peddlers who beg for money and spend it in less that appropriate ways. This tends to make many hesitant to donate or stop at all. But just because beggars ask for money, that is not always what they are most in need of. I have heard plenty of tales of creative things that people provide to those at the traffic light street corners...

• Have 2 or 3 PB&J sandwiches pre-made in the car, ready to hand out.
• Cards for Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, McDs, or Subway to aid with a warm drink or meal.
• Protein bars.
• Pre-Bagged lunches.
• The standard request for change
• Or you could be a bit outlandish like my hubby, and now drive around with old jackets in the backseat.  Just in case.

These common offerings made me ponder what other cheap, easy, and potentially useful items could we provide to those in need while breaking at a red light.  What about toilette-res, gloves, old blankets, socks, old boots, or even loose cigarettes? What if we were really outrageous and started provided books to read, gift cards to laundromats, or business cards so that you can aid with job searching?  
I wonder what would happen if every one stopped driving by and spent a few minutes saying hello to these people in need. Asking what they were lacking.  And started offering solutions.  
How can you help?
What is in your back seat, that you are willing to offer up?   

Maybe sometimes, all they need is a minute of being treated humanely. A minute of hope, for you to stop, acknowledge their being and acting like you care.

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