3 days ago, I helped a lady to pay her groceries and posted it here on noise.cash. She approached me asking for $1.20 for her meal but because I didn't have single cash with me since I'm using eWallet, so I offered her to go to the grocery store with me and asked her to buy whatever she wanted. Ended up paid for her groceries that she took for her family and that costed only $5.40. I thought that would help her much more compared to just giving her the $1.20 and left away.
What actually went through my mind...
previously I don't really help those that beg for money... you know those just taking a plastic cup walking around hoping people will just throw some money into their cup. The first thought that came to my mind when this lady approached me was this whereby I didn't wanna just give just because she asked. What suddenly struck me was... during this pandemic, things can be different. And by looking that the way she asked me politely (very different from those that just take their cup and walking around asking for money) and she just say she want to buy herself a meal will do.
I know just by giving $1.20 will only help her with one meal, then how...? She needs to go around asking for money for meal again? And also because I didn't have cash at that time, I asked her to go into the store to just grab whatever she wanted to eat and I would pay for her. My offered to her actually opened my eyes and my mind after that.
After I offered her to go into the grocery store with me, I actually observed what she took from a distance. She straightaway went to the vegetables and fruits section to grab what she wanted. Obviously she ain't just grabbing food for herself. And what touched my heart when she took her stuffs to the counter for me to pay was she told me she took this for her family at home and asked if it was too much for me to pay. What she actually took was 5 apples, 2 packets of vege, 1 packet of beansprout, a packet of potatoes (not sure how many are they inside the bag) and another few stuffs which I forgot what they were. The look on her face showed me that she felt bad taking so much for the family but compared to what I usually bought for my family, hers was so much lesser. I just comforted her and told her don't worry so much about the amount, just take what you need. So yea, it didn't cost much and this was something I could afford to help.
During this pandemic, I have to keep remind myself if people around me ask for help, they really need help and I will try my best to help whatever I can within my means. I might need help too... might not be in terms of financial help but so long I need help and if there are people that can help, I will also feel glad and relieved. So let's keep an eye on the people around us especially our neighborhood and the people within our community. I believe when you practice more giving, you will actually receive more!
Well done, Denion. During these times, it is really hard on people who have never asked for anything before. Thanks for spreading kindness when an opportunity arises.