Saturday Morning May 27, 2023

Saturday Afternoon, March 25, 2023
Served 28 people

Cold and rainy

“It’s not from us…it’s all from God.”

We saw our friends, Richie and Peter, standing at the light. We sounded the horn and gestured for them to follow. Recognizing us, they quickly made their way to the nearby parking lot where we were waiting. As we held out our packets of cash, a Dunkin certificate, and Prayer card, they brightened and said in unison,“Thanks so much, you guys are amazing.”We responded with our standard reply,_ “It’s not from us…it’s all from God_.”

Uncharacteristically, Peter was clean shaven and well dressed. We told him he looked wonderful, and no one would ever suspect that he was struggling. He replied,“Well, everything I’m wearing was just given to me by the shelter.”Smiling, Richie said,* “Pete, you actually look too good to be a successful panhandler.” At that, the four of us broke into laughter together. After handshakes all around, we watched Peter and Richie walk away. We were deeply moved by a wonderful feeling of camaraderie.

“Those whom we serve will soon forget what we gave them, but they’ll always remember how we made them feel.”

“He had just picked up a cast-off scratch ticket and was checking to see if it was a winner.”

We left the downtown area and headed south toward West Bridgewater. Close to the town line we pulled into a Cumberland gas station. We spotted Ted, a long, lost friend. He had just picked up a cast-off scratch ticket and was checking to see if it was a winner. We sounded our horn and flashed the headlights. Recognizing us, Ted’s face lit up and he hurried our way. “I’ve been sleeping outside or in unlocked cars for weeks. I’m chilled to the bone. The cops told me the next time they find me in a car they’re going to lock me up. I’m tired, cold, and dirty. Is there any way you can put me up in a cheap hotel for a night so I can take a shower and get a good night’s sleep?” There was no room to take Ted in our small pickup as every inch of space was taken up with the goods we give out. We gave him money for coffee and a sandwich. We told Ted we’d be finished on the street in an hour and meet him here. An hour and a half later we were checking Ted into a motel for two nights. As we left, he said, “I don’t know if you guys can understand what this means to me. It’s been so long since I’ve had a hot shower and a warm bed. It’s like a miracle. I guess it’s like someone else going to Florida for a week. God bless you.”

“The everyday things I take for granted would be a miracle in the life of the poor.”