Five Guys with a Side of Kindness

Oh so tired.

If there is an award for “non-employee staying at a Five Guys restaurant for the longest period of time” I most certainly won it today.  I was at Five Guys from 1:55 pm to 8:20 pm.  Whew!!

But what a grand event it turned out to be!  A neighbor who works with Five Guys corporate reached out a couple of months ago and asked if Kindness Activist would like to hold a fundraising event at the new restaurant in Arlington.  It is a historic location because they built it in the same location as the very first ever Five Guys.  Of course, we said YES to a fundraiser.  I mean, we love finding creative ways to raise money to spread kindness, and who doesn’t love Five Guys food?? 

I have seen schools and sports clubs advertise these events at restaurants but had no idea how it worked.  I asked lots of questions – could I bring cake to share with guests, what times could it be, how did the percentage split work, would take-out orders count…  We set a date for a Sunday afternoon in September, then the store emailed to apologize and explain that they learned the events had to be during the week.  We chose a date (September 25) and the hours stayed the same as we had arranged for the weekend date – 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

As the event grew closer, I realized the times were not ideal…  It was a THURSDAY, and most people would be at work during those times (or commuting).  Oops.  But I had asked so many questions already…  I decided to just go with the flow, not rock the boat, and test it all out so I could better understand the whole concept.

Today I put on my Kind is Cool shirt and packed a roller bag of things to do.  I told David, “I don’t think there will be many people.  I am looking at this event as a day to learn the ropes, and to have 4 hours of free time to sit and get things done!!”.

Only, I was wrong.  Oh so wrong.

The first person must’ve walked in around 2:10.  I saw her even before she came in the door.  She peeked inside, changed her mind, and started walking away.  But something made her turn back…

I thought I may have recognized her as a pantry guest.  I gave her a big smile, which she returned.  We exchanged pleasantries about how lovely the weather was and she made her way over to my table and sat down.  I realized I did not know her – but I would soon.  We talked for a good 20 minutes.  She told me several sweet stories.  As we talked, I folded colorful sheets of paper I had brought. I planned to make LOTS of Daily Polls for our street corner today.  I thought that would be a fantastic use of time – getting ahead on that task. 

I think I finally asked her what she planned to eat.  “I haven’t had any food since breakfast!” she declared.  “Do you serve turkey burgers??”.

Ahhh – she thought I worked there!  It was quite funny.  “I thought you were folding menus or something,” she said.  I invited her to come sit back down as they prepared her meal and we continued our conversation.

Then the first “official” guest came, a very sweet neighbor.  She joined my new friend and I at the table.

And I can confidently say – there was not a moment of “silence” or slow time after that.  There was a steady stream of people – far more than I imagined.  It was fun seeing so many neighbors!  I got to talk to many, many people.

Two people who wanted to attend but couldn’t sent donations.  They asked us to use the money to treat someone to a meal.  Challenge accepted!!

 

At first, we thought we should use it to buy food for people experiencing homelessness.  Only, there didn’t appear to be anyone in that situation around the restaurant at that time… 

 

Then we thought treating someone at the bus stop would be great – but if you were waiting for a bus, you might not want to go inside to order a meal…  You might miss your bus!  We considered buying meals and walking down the street a bit to give them to people experiencing homelessness in another area where we felt they would certainly be.  But really – half the fun of eating out is getting to pick what you want to eat, right??  It didn’t feel “right” for us to choose and just drop the food off.

 

So, we got the great idea to offer meals to people getting OFF the bus.  An intrepid crew of 3 kids and 1 adult went out to choose the first person!

 

It didn’t take long for them to walk back in.  “We found someone!!” they said.  And sure enough they had.  It was a woman who looked like she was probably coming home from a day in the office.  She was delighted to be treated to a tasty meal!! 

 

As we waited for her dinner to be prepared we chatted about Kindness Activist and the work that we do.  She was very interested and hopes to get involved in future events.  She asked if she could take a selfie, because she wanted to post about her wild experience of getting off the bus and being surprised and delighted by kindness.

 

Surprise!!  Free meal for you!

Next up was 2 young men.  They were a bit confused about what was happening – why was Five Guys giving them free food?  We explained the fundraiser, and the generous donors who wanted to buy strangers meals.  They both ordered very carefully, not wanting to spend too much of the money.  It was very sweet.

 

It's your lucky day - free dinner!

Next up was another woman.  She was so happy!!  “Is it my BIRTHDAY???” she asked incredulously.  Nooo – but it is your lucky day!  That meal used up the donated funds and so we thought we were done with spreading kindness (while at a kindness fundraising event!).  But we were wrong.

 

Because I looked out the window and saw a man who looked exactly like the “target audience” that we had thought we wanted.  He was smiling in the sunshine.  He may have not had shelter.  And he looked hungry. 

 

I rushed outside before he could leave and asked, “Hey – would you like a hamburger and fries??  They are really tasty”.  He gave me a big smile and said yes, yes he would.  So, in we went.

 

The line was a bit long at that point and I told him it would be a few minutes before his turn.  “Mind if I sit here while I wait?” he asked.  “Sure.  I will hold the place in line,” I told him.

 

And he sat right down on a seat.  A seat in that clean, air conditioned, nice restaurant.  A seat that he probably usually would not be allowed to take. 

 

Moments like that humble me and make me consider my privilege.  I can pretty much walk into any establishment I like, order something – anything, maybe just a soda or cup of coffee.  I can cool off.  Use the wifi.  Go to the bathroom…

 

I can.  But many cannot.

 

As he sat and rested, he called me over.  He had been studying the menu.  “Do you think I could get a BLT instead?” he asked.  “Yes sir, a BLT sounds delicious!  What to drink?”.  He said he didn’t want a drink.  “No drink???” I asked.  “Hey, how about a SHAKE??” I offered.  Ahhh - now a shake got his attention.  He examined the shake menu and decided vanilla was in order.  “Want whipped cream on that?” I asked with a grin.  He flashed a mischievous grin and declared, “Why yes!”.

 

When it was almost my turn to place his order, a neighbor came up and handed me a $20 bill.  “For his food,” she told me.  No – I explained that we would buy it with kindness funds.  “No, no, I want to”.

 

Kindness begets kindness.

 

When the man’s food was ready he picked it up and headed out.  I was in another conversation at the time so didn’t get to say goodbye. 

 

Another neighbor and her 2 daughters came in a bit later and as I greeted them I explained that man outdoors had just been treated to a delicious meal thanks to someone’s generosity.  The woman teared up.

 

“My daughter…” she said, pointing to her young girl.  “My daughter…  We saw that man outside, and my daughter asked if we could buy him some food.  But it is so hard.  You know, to kind of assume someone’s situation and that they need food…”.  She wiped away tears.

 

What a beautiful connection.  And such a true sentiment.  It is difficult to find a way to ask that won’t be offensive or belittling.  And sometimes the ask is not accepted.  In fact, that happened today.  One beautiful neighbor asked someone who looked hungry if she would like a free meal, and the person declined.  It’s awkward when that happens, but that can’t stop us from being open and kind.

 

Another person cried today, too.  Who would’ve thought that an afternoon in a burger joint would bring tears, but it did.  A neighbor was standing looking at the menu and I greeted her and asked how she was.  At first, she gave the usual, pat answer of being fine.  Then she confessed that actually she wasn’t fine.  That it had been a very hard day.  “Hey, I had that kind of a day just yesterday,” I told her.  I don’t know her well enough to know if she is the hugging type, but I couldn’t help myself.  And as we hugged, I felt her cry. 

 

Some days are hard.  Hugs are good medicine.

 

All afternoon people came and went.  They chatted.  Some drew pictures for the Five Guys bulletin board.  Some gave suggestions on how we could use the funds raised.

 

Neighbors met neighbors.  They sat at tables and dined together.  They told life stories.  They shared the experience.

 

I thought it would be quiet.  I thought I would “get things done”.

 

And I did get things done. 

 

Not the things I packed into my little bag.

 

But the things that NEEDED to be done.

 

Laughing.

Listening.

Talking.

Giggling.

Hugging.

Caring.

Eating.

Serving.

And being kind.

 

Speaking of kind, the restaurant extended the event an additional hour.  I am not sure when we will find out how much money we raised.  But I know one thing – however much it is, it is enough.

 

Christina, the neighbor who works for Five Guys Corporate and
reached out to see if we would like to have a fundraiser

Because the kindness shown today was incredible.  People being patient with lines.  Being patient with new restaurant employees.  Being open and brave enough to sit with strangers and talk. 

 

And people showing up.  Supporting this little thing called Kindness Activist. 

 

The work continues.  I came home to find a box of pantry donations on the porch, and the Amazon person delivered 5 more as I sat on the porch to write this story. 

 

The boxes can wait until morning.

 

Tonight - I will rest.

 

And think about the beauty of a community coming together for kindness. 

 

And burgers.

 

Don’t forget the burgers.