Drops of sweat slowly sliding down his unshaven and dirty face. He was suffering in the Texas heat, sitting on the side of the road. You could see he needed help, but I didn’t feel comfortable . . . I didn’t know what to do.
“Mom, why is he staring at you? His sign says he is hungry and needs food.” My oldest was all into reading these days and asked a question I couldn’t deny.
“He is staring because he needs help. And, I am unsure what to do.” I felt like my reply was a letdown, a lost parenting moment. I don’t carry cash. I didn’t have food on me.
“Well, let’s figure it out.” My son issued a challenge and we were going to meet it.
lip balm
deodorant
toothbrushes
wet ones wipes
toothpaste
sunscreen
beef jerky
band aids
*One reader noted concerns with giving away items due to the alcohol content. If you can find alcohol-free items, chose those, or, as suggested by the reader, omit the items from the kit.
*I keep a bottled water separate with a snack. I live in Texas and don’t want to store food in the heat. So, I grab from our snack bag when I hand out a care kit. Makes sure that the food and water are fresh.
As we shopped, we talked about each item and why it would be important to include. He really listened because he told his brother all about it later!
This was good for them to think about and understand.
The 6 year old was VERY SERIOUS about making his note special.
After all of it was complete, my 6 year old looks at me and says,”I need to include some money, too.”
He ran to his saving jar (he is saving for a building toy) and grabbed money to include in each envelope that was going into the care kits.
I asked, “Why do you want to give them money?”
He answered with, “They don’t have enough money to buy the things that they need. I can help a little with that.”
