Catering to the Masses

That’s right, you read the title of this blog correctly. Living in an upscale neighborhood of Los Angeles, I’m constantly reminded of how lucky I am every time I walk down the street. Sadly, the numerous coffee shops that line the main strip of my neighborhood are homeless shelters. If you drive out of the main entrance of my neighborhood you’ll see a homeless Vet with a sign asking for food, money or just a smile. When I used to have an office to go to, I would be annoyed that I was going to work and they were just asking for money. Granted, I didn’t know their mental or physical situation, but that’s how I felt.
With the collapse of the economy and the rise in unemployment, I changed my tune towards the homeless and the hungry. As a mom, I always have a snack bag of goldfish or animal crackers lying around the car. One day a homeless man was at a corner with his cardboard sign. I rolled down the window and said, “Hey, I have goldfish if you want some?” His face lit up and he took them and said, “My wife is going to be so excited! Thank you!” He ran across the street to his wife who was also advertising her hunger. He truly was excited and I was too. I made someone happy. Since then I’ve given homeless people candy, water, animal crackers and goldfish.
There is NO reason for anyone to be hungry on the streets in this country. Walk into any grocery store or discount food warehouse and you’ll see an abundance of food on the shelves. I know they can’t sell all of their products before they expire. I’m still trying to figure something out to get this food to the hungry. AND I know restaurants have leftover food at the end of the night they just throw away. AND I know they’re not allowed to donate it. I don’t know the reason, but what a waste.
Lately, I’ve been buying a few extra bananas and apples at the store to keep in my car. First of all, they’re in season, so they’re not expensive. Second, when I’m stopped at a light and there’s someone begging for food, I feel that I’m giving them something nutritious that cost me NINETEEN CENTS!!!! I think we can all spare fifty cents to feed someone who REALLY needs it. Also, I’ve noticed friends and family members who don’t finish their meals at a restaurant and don’t box them up to take home because they don’t like leftovers. You know who likes leftovers? The homeless and the hungry and I bet they would enjoy the rest of your meal. I know they’ve enjoyed my leftovers! And I guarantee you’ll see one person in need lingering by a parking lot or dumpster on the way out of the restaurant.
Below are some other great things to hand out your car window that cost under a dollar. Please consider feeding the homeless instead of sitting at the traffic light ignoring them. Wouldn’t you want someone to feed you if you were hungry?
Apples… Bananas… apple sauce cups… Easy Mac… Hot chocolate packets… Oatmeal Cups (it’s so easy for them to go to a coffee shop and get hot water and a spoon)… Oranges… Box of raisins… you get the picture!!

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