What a day. Things were going along just fine and I was about to make my last phone call of the day at the food pantry. One of my colleagues stepped into the office and pulled a card from our file. She placed it in front of me and said something to the effect ..."this man says he only comes about once a year, can you help him?" No problem. He came into my office sat down and began to tell me that he only needed the essentials. Nothing that needed to be cooked. Only pop top cans etc. etc.
Do you have access to a stove so you can cook? I asked. "No" was the answer. He just wanted things that didn't need to be cooked or refrigerated and could be opened easily as he didn't have a can opener. His speach was very difficult to understand. Finally, I asked the man to just wait outside and I'd find things that he could use. When he was in the waiting area, my friend and coordinator of the pantry said that she knew who he was and that he was homeless and lived in a tent. That's when I lost it. I started tossing everything I could find for him into bags, all the while crying and mumbling that no one should live in a tent. The more food I found for him, the more I cried. I was a mess. How do these things happen to people? No one should have to live in a tent.
This man, David, said that he ate a meal at the Salvation Army every day and I saw that he is getting some social services but still, he doesn't even have a can opener. So much is wasted in this country. So many people are hungry and frightened. It breaks my heart. I need to grow thicker skin. This stuff is killing me. My friend gave me a hug afterwards and asked me if I cry at sad movies which made us both laugh but honestly.... I COULD USE A HUG RIGHT NOW.....a hug that lasts about 12 hours or so would do.
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