Wait, what’s this?? Yet another item in The Local Rag worth commenting on? Whoo hoo!
The Local Rag is a free weekly newspaper that interrupts its advertising to bring us semi-accurate and almost-timely reporting on the latest shenanigans of the local school board, pending livestock legislation, ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses, high school reunions, births, deaths, anniversaries, and charity spaghetti feeds. One of its most highly anticipated features, though, is the Opinion section featuring letters to the editor as well as a weekly column by the editor himself.
The editor’s column is often something I just scan. Honestly, I am a little weary of him always referring to himself as “this writer.” Occasionally, though, Marv’s musings will grab me and I’ll read his entire column, like when he was in a snit about the “No Loitering” signs suddenly appearing at the post office. Apparently that’s where Marv likes to meet and greet the public and take the pulse of the community.
And so when “that writer” decided to comment about his recent encounter with a homeless man named Mike, I stopped to read the entire story.
Mike was 38 and had been hanging out in front of a local hardware store for about 45 minutes by the time Marv happened upon him. During the brief 5-minute encounter, Marv observed random locals giving Mike a hamburger, a package of hot dogs, donuts, drinks, a sack of groceries, and two bags of food for his dog, Maggie. Mike’s cardboard sign reading “JUST PLAIN HUNGRY. God Bless” was apparently very effective advertising for an area not accustomed to such things as a guy and a dog asking for food. Mused Marv:
Interestingly, I’m not sure what I would have done had I seen Mike. I spent many years dodging and ignoring homeless people in San Francisco. I honestly don’t know if I’ve been here long enough yet not to be suspicious of them. I hope I have. Because, really, what’s so bad about giving someone food if they ask for it and you have the means to help them? Even if they secretly laugh at you for being such a schmuck, there might be some part of them that will be touched by your open willingness to help a stranger. This writer thinks that's probably worth the risk.
The Local Rag is a free weekly newspaper that interrupts its advertising to bring us semi-accurate and almost-timely reporting on the latest shenanigans of the local school board, pending livestock legislation, ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses, high school reunions, births, deaths, anniversaries, and charity spaghetti feeds. One of its most highly anticipated features, though, is the Opinion section featuring letters to the editor as well as a weekly column by the editor himself.
The editor’s column is often something I just scan. Honestly, I am a little weary of him always referring to himself as “this writer.” Occasionally, though, Marv’s musings will grab me and I’ll read his entire column, like when he was in a snit about the “No Loitering” signs suddenly appearing at the post office. Apparently that’s where Marv likes to meet and greet the public and take the pulse of the community.
And so when “that writer” decided to comment about his recent encounter with a homeless man named Mike, I stopped to read the entire story.
Mike was 38 and had been hanging out in front of a local hardware store for about 45 minutes by the time Marv happened upon him. During the brief 5-minute encounter, Marv observed random locals giving Mike a hamburger, a package of hot dogs, donuts, drinks, a sack of groceries, and two bags of food for his dog, Maggie. Mike’s cardboard sign reading “JUST PLAIN HUNGRY. God Bless” was apparently very effective advertising for an area not accustomed to such things as a guy and a dog asking for food. Mused Marv:
[Our town] and other area communities are very giving places. [Our town] is easy prey for those seeking donations for virtually anything, including food and money for their own use. The giving nature of the community, combined with the rarity of seeing someone with a cardboard sign asking for money, makes such an effort successful. Mike quickly learned that he could do very well, at least in the short term, by standing/sitting on a [local] street, seeking food for himself and his dog.On the one hand, we sort of sound like gullible schmucks. On the other hand, I do love how open this community is to helping each other. Like Scott, a troubled, afflicted man who walks around town with purpose while pausing now and then to talk to the sidewalk or a street lamp. His family is known, as is he, and many have tried to help. But that’s another story.
Interestingly, I’m not sure what I would have done had I seen Mike. I spent many years dodging and ignoring homeless people in San Francisco. I honestly don’t know if I’ve been here long enough yet not to be suspicious of them. I hope I have. Because, really, what’s so bad about giving someone food if they ask for it and you have the means to help them? Even if they secretly laugh at you for being such a schmuck, there might be some part of them that will be touched by your open willingness to help a stranger. This writer thinks that's probably worth the risk.
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