Helping The Homeless

This picture shows a moving moment for me.

The comfortable black folding chair shown used to be mine. It was until I put it out in plain sight on the curb recently to make sure someone would find it. I also included a large rolling travel bag and a wooden folding table.

I had all three of these items in my lofted storage for a few years and didn't need them anymore. The chair and table were given to me by my Dad a long time ago and I barely ever used them. Given our history, I wasn't going to use them and wanted them gone. The travel bag was tougher to give up because it was ideal for travel, but I doubt I'll be needing it for a while anyway. Since I found a Vocier suitcase on the curbs that retailed for $700, I didn't need two. I only had to pay $10 to get the zipper repaired, something the prior owner was too lazy to do.

So, instead of putting these items in a bag or on top of a pile that was going to be collected at any hour (this was around 3 AM), I placed them prominently against a building. I unfolded and set them up so people would quickly see what they were and how clean they were. I also separated them from the piles nearby so the stigma to take them was reduced.

I then walked away to start hunting for curb finds and came back about 10 minutes later to unload something I just found that took up two hands before heading back out. To my surprise, the folding table was already gone! That felt pretty good. The streets are usually vacant at the late hours I go out, so I was a bit shocked.

When I came back at the end of my salvaging walk, the other items were still there.
The suitcase and chair were gone the next day, but I didn't know if they were taken for use, or just thrown on the recycling/trash trucks.

Back to the picture... While walking to the gym a few weeks later, I saw my chair! It was just a few blocks down the road from where I left it. It was being used by a homeless man, who seemed to be the one who took it and was enjoying some simple comfort. The chair was really comfortable and in practically new condition. It was also light and portable -- the perfect solution for him.

While the picture isn't much to most, it means a lot to me to see my intention come to fruition with someone who clearly needs it more than more than the average person.

This is up there for me with watching a homeless man put on a winter jacket I left outside of a bag I pulled it from within a minute of me walking away. It honestly looked like the same man, but there's no way to confirm that.

So, instead of milking Hive's echo chamber or maximizing your crypto yield, please do something today to help those in need... or at least our environment.

Just a simple post today. I hope that it gives someone the motivation to make a positive impact.

Thanks for your interest and support,
@steemmatt