Bologna and Potatoes

[Kevin]

I don’t know why, but this has bothered me all day.

This morning I dropped my daughter off at school, and stopped at Aldi to get green beans and carrots for my dogs. We add canned veggies to their dry dog food. They like it a whole lot better.

Aldi opens at 9. I got there at 8:50 and only waited because I had stuck my quarter in to get a cart.

Some woman with a dirty little kid in a diaper was also waiting. The little girl was only dressed in a shirt, diaper and some sandals. But it’s a nice day, so who cares.

So I pay for my green beans and carrots. The woman is right behind me with a sack of potatoes and cheap bologna.

So I pay for her food along with mine. She was so thankful. I don’t know. The way she said thank you, I wish I would have taken her back and bought her a basket full of better food for her kid than bologna and potatoes.

I don’t know what the correct answer is.

 

[NC FNS]

Beautiful gesture. The gov’t probably spent any food money she may have qualified for on cell phones for illegal immigrants.

 

[s4s4u]

You done good. Better than most! No regerts ;)

 

[bigbillyboy]

I don't know why, but this has bothered me all day.

This morning I dropped my daughter off at school, and stopped at Aldi to get green beans and carrots for my dogs. We add canned veggies to their dry dog food. They like it a whole lot better.

Aldi opens at 9. I got there at 8:50 and only waited because I had stuck my quarter in to get a cart.

Some woman with a dirty little kid in a diaper was also waiting. The little girl was only dressed in a shirt, diaper and some sandals. But it's a nice day, so who cares.

So I pay for my green beans and carrots. The woman is right behind me with a sack of potatoes and cheap bologna.

So I pay for her food along with mine. She was so thankful. I don't know. The way she said thank you, I wish I would have taken her back and bought her a basket full of better food for her kid than bologna and potatoes.

I don't know what the correct answer is.

That was very kind of you .

 

[Danjet500]

You did the right thing at that moment. Don't beat yourself up by over thinking it. You felt good doing it and she was grateful for it. That's all that matters.

 

[Kevin]

Thanks, i hope you know I didn’t just post this to say I’m a good guy. It was just potatoes and bologna.

It’s just the economic disparity. You know, you guys talk about some stuff from time to time. But where I live, we don’t see it at all.

Sometimes I feel like where I live is in this bubble, and when i see kids that might not have a good lunch, it bursts that bubble. It isn’t an every day occurrence at all.

 

[contender]

You can feel good that you did a kind gesture. And while you may think you could have done more,, you already did more than many others.

It's easy to see the people in need who are struggling AND trying. And who knows,, maybe you'll see her again,, and if you wish,, you can take her on a little shopping spree.

But do not think you didn't do enough.

 

[turd]

A very nice thing to do. But, instead of doing it just once in while, think about making a regular contribution to a local food bank. You are correct, the disparity is there, but how many of us do anything to level the field even a little bit. My wife and I are retired and on a defined income, but we live pretty comfortably compared to many. We think giving even a little of what we have will help someone struggling to feed themselves and their children. Sure, you can say she shouldn't have had the kid if she can't feed it, but you don't know the situation. I feel it is incumbent upon those who have much to share it in some way, even a little.

I'm not disparaging what you did, I think it a kindly gesture and good on you. I just think their are so many of us that could do what you did, and we should. Sorry for my speech.

 

[375hh1973]

Now I want a bologna sandwich and mashed potatoes

 

[sfhogman]

You made the world a better place this morning. That's enough.
You're a mensch.

 

[Watertender]

What you did goes under what I call the 1440 minute rule. 1 minute either way and you might not have seen them. Paying for their food was the right thing to do.
My wife's church has a food pantry that we donate to regularly. Tis more blessed to give than receive.
Thanks for being a good man.

 

[Yaworski]

You are a far nicer person than I am. I'd have assumed that she had blown her food stamps on filet steaks and french fries. I've seen so many people abuse the system that I view anyone collecting checks with suspicion.

 

[David Lee Valdina]

I spent a number of year living off of potatoes, bologna, & peanut butter/jelly sandwiches. I still like them in my old age.

 

[gramps]

Thank you Kevin! I am a former Public Health nurse in Tn and Va. I have seen people get the dog food pate’ push out some and slice it off, fry it up and put it on a Hamburger bun with greens from their yard. I too have been jaded, because of the abuse of our system. I practice pay it forward from time to time. I too have lived frugally due to my own decision to buy more than I could afford. A houseboat, a six sided two story house, new cars etc. I have been divorced for 15 years now, and God willing I will be out of debt next month. I intend to put food in the food boxes that the FD have throughout the county. Bravo to those that are part of the solutions!!!
gramps

 

[blume357]

I realize the irony is you are feeding your dogs better than she is feeding her child but the reality is you did a good deed and the is what counts.