Do you want a bag?

Thanks to the sale of the shirts we were able to buy some bags and filled them with basic goods to distribute to homeless individuals on May 4th [May the fourth be with you.. anyone? no? (Unintentionally that day, but neat coincidence nonetheless)].

Truth be told, this all felt strangely small at first… as if a reusable water bottle, tuna packets, and socks, (among other small things), could really meet the weight of someone’s life. 

Almost everyone we approached seemed weary at first, in the way people do when the world has taught them to expect something bad from strangers. Yet, almost everyone’s guard slowly softened and kindly talked to us and granted us the opportunity to take these pictures in hopes to be able to help more people. One man thanked us specifically for the sunglasses and cleaning wipes, saying that nobody ever really does things like that for them. There was one that, for a moment, I thought maybe we should leave him alone, but later we crossed paths again and he looked up from the tuna he was eating, smiled, and quietly said thank you. A woman was deeply grateful for the socks and food, and even shared ideas for what could help OTHERS too: cooling long sleeves for the summer heat, and darker clothes to hide the dirt a little better. Suddenly, this all felt less like charity, and more like being trusted with tiny pieces of someone else’s reality. More than symbolic, it was human; a strong reminder that small things can still mean something.

A few days later, while on an errand, I drove past one of them drinking from the reusable water bottle from the bag. 

Cultivate The Good.