McDonald’s Drive Thru…..Can You Spare $3.00!
My good friend Leah Lee had an experience that she thought might be a good topic for discussion here at kleverkathy.com. In her words, here’s what happened.
Monday I was running errands around Indy (Indianapolis, IN) and I had a “Big Mac attack.” I get in the drive thru line and in between the ordering monitor and the first window to pay; a man walks up to my car window and asks for money. He says he hasn’t eaten in 3 days. He’s dirty. He’s shaking. He asks for $3. Right away, I do not believe any of this. Plainly, I’m thinking, this man needs some drugs. So, I told him to meet me inside and I’d buy him something to eat. Meanwhile, I pay for my food and ask the cashier to add a $10 gift card to my order. I park to go inside and another man asks me for $.50! By now I’m wondering what’s going on? What can you buy for $.50?? It’s $.75 to ride the bus and the same for a newspaper!! Someone else gave him the change and I gave the first guy the gift card. He didn’t seem very thankful for it either!
My brother told me I shouldn’t have given anything. Truth is, I have a hard time passing up anyone who says they’re hungry. If it were my son out begging in need, I would want someone to respond. And besides, I want all my blessings. I don’t know when nor how that act of kindness might be returned to me someday!! Anyway, beware of Mickey D’s at lunch time. Take extra money or keep your windows up!!
P.S. – I forgot one “shining” detail of my story at McDonald’s….the guy’s nose was running too!!!!! No kiddin’! lol.
So here’s the question. In today’s economy, are the numbers of the homeless and hungry increasing? How does one trip to McDonald’s warrant two requests for money from hungry people? I’m reminded of a song Yolanda Adams sings that says: “Save the world, feed the hungry people”. Is that task up to us as individuals or is it up to our government or both? Didn’t President Obama put money in the stimulus package for homelessness? Does anybody know how that will work? If you know the answer to that question, please let us know and tell us: how have you reacted when a homeless/hungry person asks you for money? Did you give it to them? Did you ignore them? Did you think of them as less than or lower class? Did you stay focused on the fact that we are all God’s children and but for the grace of God there go I? Do you know anyone, up close and personal, that is or has been homeless and hungry? Holla back!
I think that was very kind of Leah, I would have spent $3 and gotten them a whole meal but I feel that you really have to be lead because some of there people are con artist living in better houses and with more than most of us. I’ve given money before but I’m just so leary about it now.
Hello everyone,
I have to say that I would have helped the man.. My grandmother told me that you never know that homeless person maybe GOD in disguise so my first thought is to help if I can. I like the fact that she gave him a gift card instead of money because people these days are using the money for drugs, and alcohol. Funny that you mentioned McDonald’s and the homeless.
While my husband and I were stationed in Columbus, SC we went out to lunch at a McDonalds and there was a homeless couple who asked us if we would come to their motel and slide our credit card to help them pay the 5.00 dollars short on their room. My husband and I wasn’t sure if these people where being honest but again we were both brought up to help those in need. I had $50.00 dollars in lottery tickets that I had been caring around in my purse for about 3 weeks and I gave them those to turn in for the cash. I figured that my husband and I had done the right thing and if in the end these people were not being honest then they would have to pay the price.
Well the next day my husband and I went back to McDonlads for lunch and again we saw the same couple asking for money. Although these people used us it will not change me mind about helping those in need.
Michelle Obama said yesterday that we as a community should do all we can for those in need.. So I saw this don’t let one bad apple kill your spirit of helping those in need..
And the running nose thing.. WOW
I would’ve done what Karol Ann said and bought them food. I’ve seen people sell food stamps for drugs, so they would probably try to sell a gift card if they were really after drugs or alcohol. Having said that, I still would contribute because as Tori said, we never know if we are unknowingly entertaining angels. I also believe it is our duty as Christians to help the poor. Prov. 19:17 says if we have pity and give to the poor, we lend to God and he will repay us for what we give…and he’s not broke. You reap what you sow. I’ve had many times when I’ve been blessed by people monetarily, just when I really needed it. I may not have even said anything, but God always steps in and takes care of us. My mother has many testimonies like that also. So yes, I give to the poor and even to those that may not be on the streets begging. There are many people in our families and our churches that straight out need help. Especially in these times. If I have it and the Lord moves upon me to give, I do. Hopefully we all have the heart of God that will move with love and compassion towards those that are in need whether we know them or not. God will always repay us.
@Monique Davis – Preach! You want a love offering?
Give it to the man in need, the next time you see one.
@Monique Davis – Sup, you have great command of the English language and express yourself well. If you ever have a topic you want to discuss or an article you would like to write, let me know. Kleverkathy is a community and I am always open to thoughts other than my own!
Thanks. I’ll take you up on that sometime.
Ok… im not trying to be funny, but when homeless people approach me its all about their sales pitch. Whether or not we have went to school for sales or not, everyone has a salesman in them. So if a homeless person approaches me and tells me a story that I can understand and believe then I might help them out. But I agree on that I would not give someone asking for money (for food) cash outside of a McDonalds. I would just take them inside and tell them to pick 3 things from the dollar menu and tell them to choose wise because they could get filled up from those 3 things. Also, I would encourage them to get water and not coke (no pun intended) since water is free and could be another food item they could get.
That is funny Kendall!!
@Kendall Blake – I agree sith Sup, that is too funny! I think that right there was a great sales pitch!
Ladies!!! and Kendall!!!don’t risk your safety.In just a few seconds,while fumbling for money, you could get knocked in the head or your young children harmed. If he was really hungry, I gave him enough for lunch and some dinner.If he wasn’t hungry, he would have to get his hustle on to sell the gift card and God would take care of him for lying to me. Be careful and be safe!!
“If you give more than you receive than eventually you’ll receive more than you give.” Give and let God do the rest. Your blessing will come from another direction that you least expect.
Well I haven’t really had much experience with poor ppl I have however dealt with ppl I know who need help it doesn’t faze me one bit to help them because I don’t mind helpin ppl Besides as ppl hav said its mandated in the Word to help Jesus said that if we do it for others we are doing it unto him cuzo u r straight crazy!
I would have bought the food. With the job that I have I have seen too many trying to take adantage of the system let alone people. If you offer the food and they turn it down, you know they were not hungry. There are places here in town that serve lunch everyday to the homeless. It is different places but when people are hungry they keep track of who and what day they serve.
delores goodson’s last blog post..Outrage Over ‘Game of Life’
Aunt Dee..sure you’re right about places where the hungry can be fed, so you may wonder if we know about these places….uh….why don’t the folks asking for money to get food. I totaly believe in helping those that need help but believe God helps those that help themselves. I also know that in giving, the windows of heaven are opened and at times it doesn’t come back in money but other ways. God favors me (Hez’s new song) and I’m thankful that I’m blessed and highly favored!!
To Leah Lee, peeople on the street can tell by looking at someone that they may be a easy touch, that Godly look about them. I do believe the $10 was a bit much but if God lead you that way, then you go so you don’t miss out on your blessing. Remember you will get it back 10 fold.