Bags of Blessings

Last April we made the 5-day drive from our home in Mexico to Indiana. When we crossed the border into the United States I noticed from Texas all the way to Indiana an increase in the homeless population living under overpasses, sitting on sidewalks, and standing on curbs holding cardboard signs.

For motorists across America, the dilemma is the same: If I hand over money to a panhandler, will it go for food or just feed an addiction? Am I helping or making it worse? To give or not to give?

Pope Francis says that giving money to someone in need is "always right." But, what if it’s spent on alcohol or drugs?

At one of our pit stops my traveling companion bought a pack of cigarettes. I thought it was strange since she doesn’t smoke. “What in the heck are you doing?” I asked her. Her response was surprising. “I’m buying them for the guy standing on the corner over there.” The guy was holding a sign reading, “Anything would help.” I didn’t understand how giving him cigarettes would help, wouldn’t it be better to give him something he needed like food? Her explanation was humbling. “How would you feel if you were homeless or so poor you needed to beg for money? Maybe his only pleasure during the day is to smoke a cigarette or have a drink.”

When she put it that way I completely understood. For several years as a young nun when I would get stressed out I would sneak up to the roof of Madonna Hall on the monastery grounds to smoke. It was a great release for me. Not healthy and would have been frowned upon, but it was satisfying and I did it for years with no one knowing (until now).  

If it is the person’s only happiness, that’s okay - and by the way, what happiness do you seek in secret? Give, and don’t worry about how it’s spent.  - Pope Francis

Sadly, many homeless people and panhandlers are routinely ignored, sworn at, harassed, robbed and assaulted. Having someone look them in the eye and recognize them as a person can be affirming. Bags of blessings made by Harmony.

While in Indiana visiting I spent a lot of time with my “adopted” granddaughter, Harmony. A very sweet pre-teen with a heart of gold. She decided that we needed to make bags full of protein bars, cans of tuna, bananas,  apples, water, toothpaste, new socks, wet wipes, and fun things like bottles of bubbles. We also made cards with kind notes to put in the bags. When you see a homeless person or panhandler, at least acknowledge them in a kind way. They need kindness too!   We met this kind homeless man and gave him one of Harmony's bags and a hug. He told me that it was the second hug he has had in 10 years. He thanked me for speaking to him telling me that usually, people are afraid of street people.

At this time our homeless population need us more than ever. Ask yourself: What can I do to help? Then do it!