Random Acts Of Kindness: Week #1

A lot of us have families to think about. We can't go around giving out money to the people who ask because nine times out of ten we don't even have enough for ourselves. Because of this many of us spend our lives looking out for only for those who are important to us. We all fail to think that one day this could all be taken from us, that one morning we might wake up and everything we have will be gone. Your spouse could leave you, your manager could fire you, your kids could hate you, your home could be taken from you. There are people every day that face these things happening more and more in today's economy. Jobs are few and far between, causing those who are unemployed to lose everything they have in the pursuit of even a minimum wage gig that will help cover some of the bills.

This week's random act of kindness is to help someone who's struggling to survive. We might not be facing the great depression of the 30's and 40's, but there are men and women on the streets today fighting to keep their heads above water in an economy that doesn't always offer a helping hand.

What if you didn't have the things you do now?

I worry about going into debt all the time when I think of my husband and I being a one income family about to have a kid. It terrifies me, but at the end of the day I know that I live a good life. My husband is in the military and has a steady paycheck. We live in a fairly nice apartment in a safe part of town. If I truly wanted my old job back, I know that they would hire me in a heart beat. I have cried myself to sleep worrying about not being able to get a crib for my baby or enough diapers, but I take advantage of the things we could give up to make sure we can have those items. We don't need Netflix or cable, we could use less electricity and stop buying so much fast food. If we tried just a little harder to save money, I know it wouldn't be a problem to afford the things we'll need for our child.

What if you didn't have those small things? Could you survive? Homeless people are on the streets every day without a television, electricity, or even a place to lay their head. Yet here I am crying over not being able to buy new clothes to fit my bulging body. I seem to forget that there are people out there less fortunate than I am. I see them whenever I drive around town, holding signs up saying that they'll work for food or money. I always drive by them without a second glance. I could never imagine being homeless, but for some people that's something they deal with on a daily basis.

My dad didn't believe in giving money to homeless people because he thought they'd spend it on drugs or alcohol, but I knew there were other ways we could have helped them if we really wanted to. So here's a few tips on how you can help someone today:

1. Buy them lunch. You don't have to eat with them, but you can always pick something up from the local McDonald's or Wendy's and brighten their day. They don't need you to buy them a five course meal of foods they can't pronounce, they need something to keep them going. You don't know how long it's been since they last had something decent to eat. Provide for them a service they might not be able to obtain on their own.

2. Toiletry items. More than once I've gone into my local library and seen a homeless man or woman sitting in the corner and everyone stays away from them because, let's face it, they smell. They don't have a shower, but that doesn't mean you can't help by packing a bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine products if it's for a woman, whatever you know they'll need. They're not animals to be avoided at all costs, they're human beings just like you and me.

3. Give them old clothing. While your shirts might be too small or your pants too big, it doesn't hurt to offer a homeless person something else to wear. A lot of them don't have a walk-in closet with different outfits for every day. A few new things to help them look more presentable for possible job interviews or even just something so they can get rid of their old clothes would be a big help.

4. Volunteer. At a shelter, at a soup kitchen, at a program to help the homeless, whatever you have in your neighborhood. If you can't buy anything because your own needs aren't being met, donate your time. If you have a few free hours on a weekend or week day, use it to help those less fortunate that you. It's not hard work and whether they tell you or not, the homeless men and women who come to these things are thankful for what you're doing.

5. Give them money. While it's true that some men and women are on the streets because of addictions they've been feeding, not all homeless people are like that. There are some generally down-on-their-luck people out there who, with a few bucks, could do great things for themselves. You could also donate to a homeless organization, where you know for sure that your money is going to be spent helping instead of hurting.

It's not that hard to help someone out if you really want to make a difference in their life. You don't have to do something big and you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars. Even giving a little is more helpful than not giving at all, whether that be money, time or things they need to survive.