Pay It Forward

North Cali Sammy

Registered Member
When I blew into town a couple years back, all I had was the t-shirt on my back, a pair of long shorts, and tennis shoes. That's after being released from prison. I had $20.00 gate money left in my pocket. Most of the money was spent on a train ride and bus ticket. It was late August yet a very cold night. I froze my butt off and didn't sleep. The next morning I went to the goodwill store and bought a pair of jeans and a hoody. That gobbled up my $20.00.

I found my way to a local church that fed me breakfast and also gave me a coat and a FEMA blanket. I was happy to receive them, knowing that my nights on the streets would be a little more comfortable. Months later I was given a bed in a shelter. I slept like a rock. When you're sleeping on the streets, people will wake you up for a smoke, alcohol, or just for the hell of it, I guess. It's hard sleeping on the streets with one eye open.

You can go either way while homeless: you can become bitter or you can count your blessings, no matter how small they might be. Now that I'm back on my feet, I've been looking at ways to return charity to those who gave charity to me. I had some extra money this month, so I purchased a bulk package of sleeping bags for the shelter, to pass out to those without a bed. Next month I will do the same for the church that fed me and supplied me with a blanket and coat. I'm also considering volunteering my time at the church.

There are resources out there for the homeless, but they are stretched thin. There are limited beds in the shelters; not everybody gets one. I am thankful for all that was given and everything I have received, no matter how small. Even some of the homeless gave what they could.

I guess what I'm saying is that we should always be aware of the blessings in our lives, and that we should bless others with kindness and charity. It won't always be appreciated, but possibly it will open their eyes to the idea that somebody cared enough to help.
 
. Now that I'm back on my feet, I've been looking at ways to return charity to those who gave charity to me. I had some extra money this month, so I purchased a bulk package of sleeping bags for the shelter, to pass out to those without a bed
This is why I am a plastic humanist, an intellectual (self styled;)) humanist not a Human humanist, the ones that actually count.
I donate every month for intellectual causes.
Really important stuff like keeping creationism out of schools and a few others but I do not want to really get my hands dirty.
Being honest about it, it hurts me and I cannot afford to get emotionally involved so I prefer bank transfer sanitizer version.

Quick anecdote.

I played sports every Saturday morning and same drag through the city took me past a few homeless.
Sometimes a bit of change would change hands sometimes not.
I noticed a new face, young scared looking girl, she looked out of place, too clean. Not been on the street long.
I got her a sandwich and some orange juice.
Saturday after she had a black eye, some guy just kicked her in the face while she was asleep.
Probably thought it was funny on way back from a club drunk, may not have even realised it was 19, 20 year old woman, kid to me.
She was dirty now, same clothes, she fit right in.

Makes me rage thinking about it.

Why did she come all the way from Poland for that? What was so bad? I suppose we have milder winters.
She fit in real quick, not long before she finds something to get through the days.
People can be real dumb POS, I would love to meet the hero who kicked a sleeping kid in the face.

Some people can put feelings aside and walk round Manchester with a bed linens and a cup of soup, I can't do that.
 
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[...] I found my way to a local church that fed me breakfast and also gave me a coat and a FEMA blanket. I was happy to receive them, knowing that my nights on the streets would be a little more comfortable. [...]

And churches or their affiliated havens are usually the only instrument of altruism available in small towns or communities. Especially applies if one lacks the proper identification and documents, mailing address, etc for the welfare arm of government bureaucracy to be receptive to citizens in plight.

Though Marxists were surely the first to pioneer such, some contemporary atheists are apparently getting into the game, despite ensuing criticisms even from their own. But I expect those would remain confined to larger metropolitan areas, along with other secular options coordinated (with the many faith-based ones) under whatever overarching initiative for the unsheltered.

I'd actually choose a traditional do-gooder outlet over a "nouveau ideology" one (barring the former being the extension of a notorious cult). A cultural Christianity status consequently enables me to handle classic preaching a lot better than soapbox anti-Western socioeconomic propaganda or decolonial diatribes.
_
 
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