I've been trying to decide whether to share this or not

[mnhtnbb]

and I decided I would.

My route back from the grocery store where I do weekly shopping takes me past the downtown church that serves meals to the homeless. I usually go in the morning to the grocery store and will see folks lining up for the lunch serving as early as 10:30 am.

I've thought for some time I would buy buckets of fried chicken from the grocery deli (they make really good fried chicken and on Fridays buckets are on sale for $4.99) and drop them off for the people waiting in line on my way home. This morning there were three buckets in the warming display and I took all three. Then I added three special packages of fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate. Grabbed plenty of napkins.

The line was the longest I've seen it when I pulled up to the curb, rolled down my window and said I had "appetizers" for people to share. There wasn't enough for everyone in line, but there was for at least 20+ people to share. I wish I'd had more.

There is still plenty of time to give a stranger a Valentine gift today.

Happy Valentine's to all on DU!

[MyOwnPeace]

1. WOW!!!!!

What a great thing to do!

In my mind I can see IQ45 pulling up behind you and sending his goons out to grab those buckets of chicken for him and Barr!

[Bayard]

2. Good on you, mnhtnbb!

What a wonderfully generous thing to do!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. What a fantastic gesture on your part, my dear mnhtnbb!

Happy Valentine's Day!

[SamKnause]

4. Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Alliepoo]

5. What a wonderful Valentine you shared w those folks !

Such a nice thing for you to do!!

[CaptYossarian]

6. By all means, share. We need something like this.

We're attacked all the time with bad news. After a while, we will totally give up on humanity.

Thank you for being a terrific human being.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

46. Sharing is

The best way to beat the ogliarchy.

Free stores where you bring something you don't need than you can go through the store and get what you need ,no money involved.

[CaptYossarian]

48. Just like the days of communes when we had civility.

[delisen]

7. Praise! You affirmed we are all in this together

And our common humanity and equality and dignity and humans as whole persons-not economic units.

......and your gift of food was generous and loving

[KY_EnviroGuy]

8. K&R. Thanks for sharing, you brightened our day.

Simple acts of kindness are the very best for our souls!

You brought those good folks a bit of sunshine for Valentines!...........

......... ..........

[Scarsdale]

9. Happy Valentine's Day to you.

Thanks for sharing. Generous gesture, which I am sure was very much appreciated by those hungry folks.

[gembaby1]

10. You're a sweetheart

Thank you for sharing that.

[Hekate]

11. Thank you

And blessings. I mean it.

[Soph0571]

12. Splendid!

[redqueen]

13. That's so awesome!

Thank you for making those people's day a little brighter

[BadGimp]

14. Good on you!

[George II]

15. Nice story, thanks. You should be proud of yourself....

If anyone can, the best thing they can do is things like this or make contributions to reputable church food banks.

A few years ago I was driving past a park in the middle of town. There was a long line of people near a truck. It turns out it was the monthly food bank handing out bags of fresh food to poor people.

I did a little research, and this is a regional thing in our area organized by a local non-denominational church not far from me. It's a great program, virtually no overhead and the people running it are truly dedicated. I don't know the exact number, but each dollar buys enough food for a person for a whole day.

A week or so later I went down to the church and gave them a cash donation. The minister wanted to give me a receipt (I guess some people do it for "tax deductions&quot , but I refused, telling him to just make sure the money goes straight to buying food. I didn't say this, but I thought to myself I wasn't doing this to get "credit" for it.

The next year I gave a little more, and in January I gave them $300. That's enough to feed 10 people for a month! It really goes a long way.

Again, glad you thought about doing that, it was very nice and I'm sure appreciated. People should do more things like this if they can.

[Joinfortmill]

16. Very sweet of you.

[Pepsidog]

17. I'm curious what percentage of them are Trumpers.

[orleans]

18. great post. what a sweet thing to do. n/t

[samplegirl]

19. Your a good person!

[llmart]

20. I am very glad you decided to share this with us today.

We read so much bad news on here every day about the people who are full of hatred and who love Trump. For once, we get to see someone doing some good just because. This was truly a wonderful thing that you did. You are an inspiration to all of us and a reminder that Democrats, especially DU'ers are good citizens.

[Oldem]

21. I'm glad you decided to post this.

I'm even more happy about what you did for those people. No matter how many churches help those who are poor and hungry, it's not enough. The government--inasmuch as it even tries, anymore--can't do enough. It takes more people like you. Thanks!

[EveHammond13]

22. things like this will save us

[lillypaddle]

23. What a kind and generous gift

Don't you know they just loved it?!? Thank you for sharing with them, and with us.

[mnhtnbb]

24. I'm blown away by the response to my post.

I hesitated to share the story, because I didn't want to appear to be seeking attention for what I did. But I live downtown. I walk my dog every day several times a day--not past the church that serves the meals--but we encounter people who are homeless on a regular basis.

I posted the story in the hope that it might encourage some other folks here to think about doing something similar some time for people who are in need in their neighborhoods.

Happy Valentine's, once again! And for anyone who gave me more hearts, thank you!

[hamsterjill]

25. Bless your heart for doing that.

We need more actions like this. You did a good thing. May karma reward you ten fold.

It saddens me so much to know that people are hungry and cold. I hope to one day live in a world where that's not the case.

[Ilsa]

26. Just this:

[Bob Loblaw]

27. Proud of you

Sock hats are inexpensive, I like to keep four or five in the car during the winter. If I see someone who appears to need one I roll down the window and offer it to them. It makes me feel warm too.

[CaptainTruth]

28. Thank you for sharing. You are a GOOD person!

I have to believe that America has more good people like you, than Trump supporters.

[GeoWilliam750]

29. Good on you

[DENVERPOPS]

31. Double and triple

Good On You.

Bet you any amount of money, the head asshole wouldn't share his Colonel Sanders with anyone, even Melanoma or Barron, selfish narcissistic, mean spirited prick that he is........

That's okay. I wouldn't eat anything touched by his fingers after the many places they have been............

[TomSlick]

30. Good on you!

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.

[Skittles]

32. love it

[MustLoveBeagles]

33. That was very thoughtful of you

Thank you for sharing.

[R Merm]

34. That was very thoughtful and well meaning, but

I volunteer in a soup kitchen that sounds like the one you described. We serve up to 300 hot lunches everyday, and everyone waiting in line will get a hot nutritious meal and a chance to sit down away from the cold of winter or heat of summer.

Some things to consider.

Did you stay to clean up the chicken baskets and bones after the food was consumed? We have been ticketed by our city when our guests leave with food and leave the waste outside in the street.

Not bringing enough for everyone can lead to fights and such. We have off-duty police officers volunteer to work the door. It helps keep the peace and gives the guests and the police officers a chance to get to know each other in a non-confrontational manner. I know who has dementia, psychiatric issues, and who needs to be greeted by name with a smile so they don't become disruptive. Fights and confrontations do happen.

If you want to help you can see if they will accept food donations at the kitchen. We have restaurants, hunters, corporate cafeterias and individuals bringing by extra food, leftover wedding cake, and other catering items all the time. You can donate money, or better yet donate your time, you get to know some of the regular guests and interact with them. The kitchen I volunteer at is in the basement of a church, it's a good group of caring individuals. Not all of us, me included, are Christian or of the same race, ethnicity, or economic status, but all are welcome. We even have former guests who have made a better life for themselves who come back and help.

Your actions are generous and thoughtful and you are to be commended for turning your good intentions into action. Please understand, however, that your deeds may have unintentionally negative ramifications. It is by far better and safer for all concerned it you work through the soup kitchen instead of independently of them.

[Petrushka]

36. Thank you for a very informative post. I'd give you one of those valentine hearts . . . but . . .

. . . I gave all of mine away yesterday.

[c-rational]

35. A lovely good deed. Happy Valentine's Day to you!

[Petrushka]

37. God bless you for your thoughtfulness, mnhtnbb.

[Petrushka]

40. A great big HUG to the person who gave me a valentine heart.

Thank you! I love it!

[cate94]

39. Thanks for doing this!

And thanks for sharing! You are a kind and thoughtful person.

[BlueMTexpat]

41. Bless you!

What a lovely gesture!

[mnhtnbb]

42. Ok. The criticism up thread has made me decide

what to do going forward. I'm not particularly interested in contributing to an organized food kitchen. It's too impersonal for me and I'm not fond of the religious overtone.

When I'm out walking downtown--where I live--I occasionally am asked if I have any spare change by a person wanting something to eat. I don't carry money so I can truthfully say I don't have any. What I am going to do is set a monthly budget for myself and buy gift cards to Subway, McD's, and maybe a local breakfast place. Then if I'm asked for spare change, I will give the person a card. I'll hand the cards out until they are gone for the month.

[packman]

43. God bless everyone and anyone who does this gift from the heart- but,

dammit, there shouldn't be such poverty and want in America. The poor should not have to endure such humiliation. They should not have to be subjected to stand in line for a basic human need.

[marble falls]

44. We need all the good news we can get!!

[MerryBlooms]

45. Beaut!

[mountain grammy]

47. Thank you for sharing

And for telling us about it...great idea. I also like the gift card idea.

[bitterross]

49. Good on you!

I know some people may think you only posted this to get a pat on the back. Hence, your hesitation to post it. I don't choose to think that.

I believe you did something good and wanted to share how good it felt to do it. With the hope that it might encourage others to do something nice too.

I know your post has made me think: "How could I do something similar and help others?"

I have volunteered for Meals on Wheels and other, local, organizations who provide hot, nutritional meals to people in need. The feeling I come away with is never superiority. It is sadness.