We met a woman kneeling on the cold street with a cup for change and, after hearing she needed food most, brought her potatoes, bananas, a pillow to sit on, gloves and a backpack filled with donated items that allowed her to breathe out, close her eyes and feel safe for a little while longer. This unscheduled good deed, made possible by community donations and one neighbour’s gift, did not fix her whole situation but changed a crucial moment, reminding us that choosing someone when everyone else walks by and meeting an immediate need can restore hope and help someone get through a tough day.
Yesterday, I came across someone on the street who wasn’t scheduled in my day of good deed deliveries. A woman was sitting on her knees on the ground with a cup for change in front of her. It was really cold yesterday. I sat in front of her and asked how I could help her. She said she did have a place to sleep and was in the process of receiving other supports and needed food the most. She said potatoes, bananas and some other things so I bought them for her and placed them in front of her. The second the bag hit the ground she reached for a banana and started eating it.
I asked her if she wanted a backpack full of food and she said yes. I went to the truck and grabbed a backpack and filled it with as many donated items of food that I had. When I gave it to her, I opened it up to show her what was inside.
She closed her eyes, and breathed out of her nose and said thank you, bless you in a way that showed she knew she was safe for a little while longer and she might be okay. I also bought her a pillow to sit on to put under her legs in case she sat there longer and gave her gloves. I told her that I cared about her and gave her a hug.
“It doesn’t always need to be all or nothing. Sometimes not providing every support or fixing the situation is okay and you can still make a difference.”
Sometimes someone has their situation to sort out and giving them something to help keep them going in the meantime is just as important. Someone does what they can and helps with one thing and someone else does what they can and helps with another thing. That’s how all of us can help in any situation with any person. Simply doing what we can.
That deep breath was her nervous system relaxing and parts of her survival mode pausing. I didn’t fix a life situation but I changed a moment. Every moment matters. People also feel the power of being chosen when everyone is walking by. Whether that’s on the street, at work, or anywhere else. Sometimes that’s enough. Helping to meet an immediate need and reminding someone they still matter and restoring hope.
Change happens when ordinary people show they care. The backpack existed because a community member donated it to me before this even happened, and there it was, finding its person who needed it. The food came from community donations and food I purchased. This was made possible through many people. And that’s the point. We make the world brighter together. One small loving act at a time. Small consistent actions, big impact.
This woman received a wave of love that passed through many community members and then onto her and that has impact. And that woman? She’s cared about and has fuel that’s not just food. It’s hope and community connection. That fuel goes further than we may think.