Day of Action: A Volunteer’s Perspective
By Katania CastanedaÂ
When I was asked to say a few words about poverty, I decided to focus on the most extreme aspect of poverty, and that is homelessness. A few weeks ago, I stopped off at convenience store to purchase some gasoline for my car, when a man came up to me and asked me for some spare change. I told him that I did not have any money but that I’d be willing to buy him some food. He seemed grateful and told me that he had not eaten all day. So, I went inside, grabbed a few items and proceeded to approach the register. The attendant, who had witnessed what had happened, told me that I should not buy food for that man. He said: “Those people out there, all they do is sit outside and smoke crack all day.†I said, “Yah, but he asked me for food, and I can’t deny someone food. Besides, we don’t know what got that man into that state.†He proceeded to tell me all sorts of convincing arguments as to why I should not spend my money. He said that that man should go out and get a job just like everyone else. I must admit, I was torn. I was unsure what to do. But I purchased a few items anyway.
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