• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

planet leah *news

One journalist-turned-TV-producer's look outside her professional head. Coming soon to Comedy Central and Adult Swim, just kidding.

About planet leah *news

One journalist-turned-TV-producer's look outside her professional head, coming soon to Comedy Central and Adult Swim, just kidding.
  • Blog
  • Published Writing

Giving Cash When You Don’t Have It, A Real-Life Story

February 26, 2012

When I’m low on cash I still try to give something to someone in need — it seems to encourage the circle of cash flow. But how do you choose who to give to with so many homeless on the streets of Los Angeles? While every instance is different, here’s one of my stories.

I spotted a short and gray-bearded man in a dirty, torn white T-shirt standing at a 101 off-ramp in Echo Park. He didn’t approach me, but stood there, looking at me, hands together like he was praying, and mouthing, “Please, please, please.” I found myself grinning, thinking to myself that that’s probably what I would be doing if I was ever forced onto the street, and had to ask for money. Like how I used to get down on my hands and knees and scoot into the TV room with my friend Natalie when we wanted to ask my mom if we could do something, like go buy candy at White Hen, and we would kneel there in front of her repeating, “Pleasies, pleasies, pleasies…” and she would laugh. Gotta add some humor in, right, make people feel like they’re getting something for their money (or permission), even if it’s just a smile. For instance, I always try to give to this one guy downtown who holds up the sign, “SAME OLD SHIT.”

The bearded man in the torn white T-shirt also reminded me of a man who goes to my gramma’s church in Chicago, who designs and prints these awesome Christian-themed T-shirts and sweatshirts that he wears to Sunday Mass. For instance, this one below.

Anyways, I pulled out one of three dollar bills in my wallet — the only money I had in addition to the 54 cents in my bank account — and went to hand it to him and he held out his styrofoam cup, caked with dirt on the inside. As I carefully maneuvered the dollar into the cup, he smiled at me and said, “Happy birthday!” and turned to walk away. And I smiled.

What I really want to do is set up a foundation of some sort, sponsor a master plan, that explores how to construct a social services network to better serve the homeless, and then make that happen.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Elsewhere on the Blog

What Would Happen if You Bred a Skunk and a Dalmatian?

My bike is locked to a pole across town, I pray … [Read More...] about What Would Happen if You Bred a Skunk and a Dalmatian?

Your Official Laugh of the Day: Shaft Edition

… [Read More...] about Your Official Laugh of the Day: Shaft Edition

Oh, Comma, You Make Things So Nice

The added comma makes this much more of a request … [Read More...] about Oh, Comma, You Make Things So Nice

Spotify: Digital Music Service or Stain Remover?

I'm totally late to the Spotify gate, but I've … [Read More...] about Spotify: Digital Music Service or Stain Remover?

Chopknives!

This is what happens when I order the stir fry at … [Read More...] about Chopknives!

Subscribe

Get the latest from planet leah *news

Archives

More Blogs

Dear Santa, Have You Been Naughty or Nice?

Have you been a NAUGHTY Santa... ...or a … [Read More...] about Dear Santa, Have You Been Naughty or Nice?

Your Official Laugh of the Day: Shaft Edition

… [Read More...] about Your Official Laugh of the Day: Shaft Edition

You Know You Want This Dumpster.

I know I do. I bet it's a spaceship, too. And a … [Read More...] about You Know You Want This Dumpster.

Copyright © 2023 planet leah *news · Site Designed by Digital Executrix