My head was down, furiously pressing the small white buttons on the parking meter when a man started walking in my direction. He was middle-aged, probably in his upper fifties or early sixties and had the beginnings of a scruffy beard.
At first, I didn’t even notice him. When I did see him, I wasn’t ready to engage.
Debbie and I were focused on finding a restaurant for dinner and we just found a coveted parking spot on Broughton Street in the heart of Savannah.
He was dressed in all black, moved closer to me with a noticeable limp and used a black cane in his right hand to steady himself.
“Have any extra cash man?,” he asked me as I was working to get the parking meter on Broughton street to accept my credit card.
“I don’t have any cash with me,” I quickly responded.
It was probably not the first time this man had heard that phrase today.
“Ok, then, how about buying me a sandwich at Subway then?”
The comment caught me off guard.
As the plight of people in need continues to swell and more and more are unhoused, I am frequently asked for cash on the streets. I am weary of just pulling out my wallet as I never know how the money will be used.
Will this person use it for food, shelter or will it go to booze, drugs or another vice of choice?
When the man asked for a meal, right as my wife and I were about to enjoy our own dinner, I simply could not ignore the request.
“Sure,” I replied. “Let’s do it.”
I followed him into the corner Subway shop, which was close to empty at 6:20 on a Wednesday evening. He moved to the glass counter and called out ingredients to the server he wanted in his sandwich.
At this point I wanted to be respectful and allow this man the ability to order and eat his sandwich in peace.
I quietly paid for the meal and said “good luck.” I moved towards the door.
“Thank you,” he bellowed as I was just about to push the exit doors open.
In the past, when I’ve rejected giving cash and offered to help buy a meal for someone in need on the streets, I have been quickly denied, yelled at and cursed at. I had given up the thought that good people might be willing to accept a little help.
In my professional work in the travel and tourism industry as well as a sports management executive, I have led organizations that collect, package and help feed in-house folks or people in need.
This exchange with the man in Savannah was a terrific reminder for a few reasons.
I am a lucky man and in a good place.
I have my health, my wife, my kids and a great family.
While we cannot help everyone, a gesture like purchasing a Subway Sandwich for someone can have a small, positive impact on someone’s life. I continue to think we can do better.