It's A Wonderful Life

A Random Act of Kindness: Down to the Last Dollar

I am poor and am on welfare but I sat on the board of a charity. That night I had $4 in my pocket to buy some milk and bread for my child. It was the middle of the month and I didn't know how I would get by, yet there I sat listening to other peoples needs. One family of 8 had no gloves and the children were showing up to school with nearly frostbitten fingers. Everyone was asked to buy the family something. One person said she'd buy them all new coats. Another was going to give them $150 gift card to a clothing store. I had nothing to offer so I said I'd deliver the items as my car had gas and I didn't have a job. I got to the store and soon as I walked in there were gloves on sale 8 pairs for $4. I didn't get the food for my child; I got the gloves and went back to the meeting building. The family was there getting food. A big truck was in the parking lot with perishable foods to donate to the food pantry. The food pantry could only accept non perishables. The family filled the taxi. I gave them the gloves and the mother cried. The family left and the food pantry employees said they needed volunteers to throw away this perishable food. I said I'd do it and they all left. I called some poor people I knew and we all got every thing we needed for the month. If I had not bought the gloves I would have missed out on filling my fridge with a months worth of food and would not have been able to help others who would have gone hungry too. Fresh vegetables, milk, fruit and juice is a real treat to people eating out of food pantries. While us poor are grateful for canned food, we can't be healthy enough to hold a job, go to school, or dig ourselves out of poverty when we are barely getting nutrition. Thank you to people who donate from their farms, grocery stores and homes.