Give

Opportunities to help frequently come in such ordinary packages that it's easy to let these precious moments slip through our capable fingers: 

How many times has someone tried to hand you a flier on your way into a grocery store?  How do you respond?  Do you take it and read it, or perhaps transfer it to the nearest trash bin?  Do you simply give an unreceptive “no thanks,” using your hand as a fleshy barrier between you and what you assume to be an unsolicited marketing ploy?  But what if it weren’t just a pushy attempt to get you to fill out another Sam’s Club application form?  What if it were, for example, a list of basic food items that families across your community urgently need but cannot afford?  Would that change your knee-jerk reaction?

This past weekend, Northern Virginia community members had a chance to do something for a cause by participating in “Stuff the Bus”- a Fairfax County initiative to collect donations for the most vulnerable citizens in the area: those living in poverty.

Food for Others, a local nonprofit, maintains that while Northern Virginia is regarded as one of the nation’s most prosperous areas, the region has a poverty rate of about 5%. While that number may sound inconsequential, this equates to 90,000 poverty-stricken people living in Northern Virginia.  What’s more, an astonishing 30% of that number is made up of children.   This brings us to a tragic reality: Over 25,000 helpless kids are living in socioeconomic distress in this exceptionally wealthy jurisdiction.  Still sound inconsequential? 

The “Stuff the Bus” event was held at a Giant Food Store in the distant and incredible land of McLean, Virginia, where massive castles line golden streets, where dogs the size of rats wear crowned jewels and velvet robes, and where 6-year-old children have iPhone’s surgically implanted into their hands.  iPhone’s are just a modern day rite of passage.

The Giant parking lot was ironically tiny, and had trouble holding the hoards of luxury cars, all competing for a front-row spot.  The sky was misting, that barely-there rain that will totally negate any hair product you attempted to use before leaving the house, and the ladies had to be extra mindful not to have their perfect tresses messed with.  Now are we clear why these front row spots were in such high demand?

A gaggle of geeky tweens were manning the front doors with unimpressive authority, timidly trying to hand out pieces of neon pink paper.  The poor kids were so unsure of themselves that they couldn’t even stutter “hi ma’am” without either drooling all over themselves or breaking out into nervous hives.  

The neon paper that was so readily being dismissed was an inventory of essential items that were needed to replenish the community’s food pantries.  It was a roster full of simple items that are usually taken for granted.  Things like ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise: staples for hamburger lovers, who will gratuitously and instinctively drench their quarter-pounders in as much sauce as they can.  But ask countless families across Northern Virginia, and these commonplace condiments are considered a scarce indulgence.

The store was packed like a family station wagon, readying for retreat.  It was filled to the brim with people, yet no one was talking to each other!  Most people shuffled from aisle to aisle without so much as a glance at another human being.  Is the Zombie Apocalypse upon us already!?   

Most people didn’t have a CLUE what the pink papers were, and might not have cared anyway.  Like “long multicolored fur coat lady,” who was obviously aging and in denial, with dyed blonde hair that more closely resembled straw than locks.  She and her rigid husband were stiffly pushing an over-flowing cart, full of frivolity: Ten pairs of shoelaces, the most expensive coffee in the store, and most importantly, refrigerated dog food.  God forbid Fifi goes without her gourmet meals!

Giant provides 6 types of carts for shoppers to conveniently choose from:

*         There was a tiny green cart for 3-year-old children whose parents allow them to do their own shopping.  Forget teaching them manners and kindness; just teach them how to grocery shop! 

*         There was a smaller cart made for an adult who only needs a few things.  The handheld baskets are too laborious. 

*         There was a basket on wheels that shoppers could tow behind them.  Very wagon-like. 

*         There was a normal sized cart… complete with a cup holder, in which sat a Venti Starbucks drink for every 2 out of 3 people. 

*        There was even a cool gadget (a portable scanner) at the front door that allowed you to completely control your shopping experience by price-checking all of the items.  Price tags don't exist anymore?

Do I need to continue?  

It was painfully clear that the masses, on the whole, were completely consumed in self-indulgent, self-fulfilling behaviors, and they seemed to be completely out of touch with one another. 

Ironic, don’t ya think, given the context of the circumstance.  All of this glamor, all of this glitz, all of this MONEY, yet outside stood a group of young volunteers, some of whom might struggle with poverty, but who had little way of reaching the people who have the means to support their noble cause, and sadly have absolutely no willingness to acknowledge it.  Ignorance is bliss.

On a brighter note, there was about a third of the shoppers had that pink paper in their hands, and were intently focused on fulfilling the rations spelled out for them.  These special few were the only people smiling and making eye contact with one another.  They, collectively, were a compassionate and considerate breath of fresh air.

  

Best part of the event: Overhearing a mother asked her [about] 4-year-old son, “Do you know why we are here?”  

To which he replied, “To help people and do the right thing.” 

And THAT is where change starts.

"Sometimes a man imagines that he will lose himself if he gives himself, and keep himself if he hides himself.  But the contrary takes place with terrible exactitude."  -Ernest Hello 

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