Project Warmth 2026 Is In The Books!

Here’s the deal:  at Kindness Activist, we have a LOT going on.

For example, just this afternoon David said to me, “I can’t believe you are organizing THREE EVENTS at the same time…”.  And it is true, I am.  Ugh.  (Shhh, plus another one he has not heard about yet…)

But that’s ok!!  Because there are always things to do, and there is always kindness that can be spread!

One thing we are trying to get better at is FINISHING projects.  Like, actually putting all of the bits and pieces away.  Writing a report on how things went.  Posting a blog to share with YOU, the kind people who follow our work and donate warm clothing.  Really closing projects out before diving into the next one (or two or three…  Or perhaps at the same time as diving into the next one/s…).

Anyway, consider this the closing piece on PROJECT WARMTH, 2026!   I figure, now that temperatures are in the 90s here in South Arlington, Virginia, I should sit down and tell you how the big winter project went.

Our goal for 2026 was to give away at least 200 coats (we counted snow pants/snow bibs as coats, too).  200 was a lofty goal…  So, how did we do…

We blew that lofty goal out of the water!!

Project Warmth 2026 distributed 269 coats!!!! 

And along with coats, we gave away loads of hats, scarves, hand warmers, mittens, gloves, sweaters, shirts, long underwear, boots, some flannel pajama pants, and socks.  Whew – there was a LOT!

We accepted donations January 3 – 10.  We set everything up and handed out the first items on January 12.  Here is a fun fact: the first coat found a new home in just 10 minutes!!  We hit our goal of 200 on March 5, and kept going a couple of weeks after that. 

Things that went really well this year:

-         Storing all of the donations in storage unit at CubeSmart in Shirlington.  We had 3 sturdy clothing racks full of donations on hangers, an overflowing table of MORE donations waiting to be hung, and 2 other tables with scarves, hats, etc. 

-         Setting up a sturdy clothes rack in our basement to bring items over a few at a time as needed.

-         Sorting the racks at the storage unit into women’s, men’s, and kid’s.  That brilliant move didn’t happen until mid-season, but we have learned it is worth the time to do it.

-         Accepting donations for only one week.  We had plenty during that short period, and it was good to not have bags of gear showing up on our porch all season.

-         The new hangers!!  We have always had an issue with people taking the hangers with the coats, meaning we have to keep replacing hangers all season.  But this year, someone on Buy Nothing was giving away metal hangers just like hotels have – the kind that you cannot get off the closet rod no matter how hard you try.  We used those and they were brilliant and solved the hangers disappearing issue.

-         Adding warm winter socks to the wish list for the Little Yellow Free Pantry.  We want new socks to hand out – everyone deserves warm, good condition socks.  Having them on the wish list made it easy for donors to purchase.

-         Being willing to donate most of what was left at the end to charity instead of trying to pack it away for next year.  We only saved a few really good items that never got put out.

Snowstorm during Project Warmth 2025

And things that could’ve gone better and we hope to improve next year:

-         We had a lot of sweaters and shirts, and realized that coats are more needed and get taken quicker.  We may not accept sweaters next year, but stick to coats, hoodies, snow pants/snow bibs, boots, and the other accessories.

-         We need to put sizes on the boots.  It is hard to people to see inside them, especially when it is dark out and cold.

-         We need to ask for more HELP.  One night a neighbor came to CubeSmart and was soooo kind to organize a ton.  It was very helpful.  Next year, we need to ask for help to hang and organize.  People want to help, but they can’t if we don’t ask.

There you have it!  Another successful Project Warmth in the books. 

David jumping for joy at Project Warmth 2025

Special thanks to: 

-         Michael Jones, Sr. at CubeSmart.  You sir, ROCK!

-         Lauren Siperstein – thank you for the loan of the sturdy clothes rack again this year.  I promise we will return it soon (see above – trying to improve actually finishing things…)

-         The many, many kind people who donated items to be given away

-         The neighbor who made the sign for Project Warmth a few years ago – was it Lauren??  I love that sign – it is so effective, functional, and beautiful

-         The neighbor who helped me organize soooo much one evening at CubeSmart

-         The mysterious person who donated the “The Comfy”.  Even though it is kid sized, it is so amazing.  I confess, I kept it.  I washed it up and pulling it out of the dryer…  Oh my goodness…  Anyway, I PROMISE that I put in a couple of my coats and sweaters to make up for taking this donation, but I am now a proud owner of a (kid size) The Comfy.

-         The sweet neighbors who were so thankful to get warm clothing.  We heard loads of “God bless you”s and statements of gratitude

-         And my partner for now and forever, David Gaines, who made trip after trip after trip to CubeSmart with me, repaired the sign for me, put coats out when I couldn’t be here, put up with me obsessively making tic marks for each coat taken, and was/is the most supportive human in the world

And with that – PROJECT WARMTH 2026 IS A WRAP!

P.S. – I just did a bit of research to figure out just how long we have been hosting Project Warmth.  I teared up when I realized – 2026 was our 11th year.  Over a DECADE of giving away winter gear, helping people in need stay warm all winter.  Color me proud.

 

 

 

Forward... That's a Good Way to Go. Forward

I don’t share their names.  Never share their names. 

I typically don’t share a gender.  Because really, why does gender matter anyway? And also, out of respect.  Nothing that might make you, the reader, identify the person in the story.

But today – today I feel I must share the gender.

Because she is real.  She is sick.  And she is our neighbor.

My neighbor and yours – no matter where you live.

She is our neighbor .

I went outside to hang a coat up in Project Warmth, the winter program where we put out cold weather gear for passersby in need to take.  I heard the siren of an ambulance or fire truck, wasn’t sure which.  I didn’t pay much attention – emergency vehicles pass our busy home often.  It wasn’t until I walked around the corner and saw a man walking his dog that I took notice.  “I called them,” he said. 

I turned around and realized that the ambulance had stopped right across the street.  And I saw a fabric puddle of orange, black on brown on the sidewalk, with 2 EMTs standing over it.

“When I walked by the first time, she was sitting up, eating something,” the man with the dog told me.  “But now, now lying down…  I am not sure…”.

Fear shot through me.  Was she dead?  Just lying there on the sidewalk, right across from our house, dead? 

We both kept our distance out of respect and concern.  “I bet she got the food here at the pantry,” I told him.  “I don’t know, she had marshmallows or something…” he said.

Yes.  Marshmallows.  I had put a bag of mini marshmallows in the pantry last night right before bed.  It was a special treat, and I imagined whoever found it would be happy.

The pile of fabric moved.  The person sat up. 

She was alive.

“I need to go see if it is someone I know,” I told the man.  As I crossed, I heard an EMT tell her, “You can’t lay here.  People will worry.  They will think it is a medical emergency and keep calling 911.”

She was standing, coat hood on her head, dirty sleeping bag wrapped around.  But she was standing.

“Hey, would you like a cup of coffee?” I asked as I got close enough.

“No, no.  But hey, do you have any hot chocolate??  I have been wanting hot chocolate…”.

Of course!  The marshmallows.  She had been sitting eating the marshmallows, maybe dreaming of hot chocolate to go with them.

I ran home and quickly made a hot chocolate.  I squirted some whipped cream on it and rushed back outside hoping she was still there to get it.  She was there, but the ambulance had left.  Left her alone.  Alone, as I am sure she usually is.

I put the steaming cup of cocoa on a fence post, using it as a table.  “Here, it’s really hot, so be careful.  Would you like some soup?  I could bring you some.”

At first she said yes, but when I asked if she ate meat or not, she changed her mind.  “You know, I really don’t eat much.  Maybe just some crackers…”.

“I have crackers.  Anything else you need?  What size shoes do you wear?” I asked, looking down at her slippers with non-slip hospital socks wedged in them to try and make them fit.  She told me she was a size 6 to 6.5, and also asked for a black hoodie, black sweatpants, and black socks.  “I am not sure what I have, but I will bring some things,” I told her and came back home to look through the Project Warmth donations.

I collected 3 hoodies (none all black, but all warm), some leggings (not sweatpants, but black), some black long underwear pants, very warm winter socks, and the only adult boots I had – size 10.  I also made a basket of food choices – 2 kinds of crackers, granola bar, precooked pasta and precooked meatballs, homemade banana muffin (thank you kind neighbor for making those), fruit cup, applesauce cup, Go Go Squeezes, Goldfish crackers, raisins, protein shake, Gatorade, juice…  I tried to put in choices that someone who “doesn’t eat much” might be tempted by, knowing that she must eat.  I grabbed a new bag that zips and went back to the corner.

She was still standing.  Pacing.  She was obviously using, and whatever she was on made her have both energy (to pace) and mellowness (to lie down).  She had a scratch on her nose and chapped lips, but other than that no obvious injuries.

I laid the clothing choices out on the fence for her to see.  She picked 2 hoodies and the thermal pants.  She took the socks and the hat.  I held up the boots and explained they were too big, but they were all I had.  As we talked, a woman in an SUV pulled up to the red light and rolled down her window.  “What size shoes does she need??” she asked, having quickly accessed the situation.  “A size 7.  But all I have is a 10…”.  She sighed.  “I have a 9…”.  I thanked her and she drove off.

What a reminder that we all want to help.  All of us.  Every last one. 

We went through the food and drink choices and she took a few.  I packed them into the new bag with the clothes and zipped it all up. 

“Are you working with Path Forward?” I asked.  Path Forward is the local organization that works tirelessly to assist people on the streets.  They provide food, housing, and work to get people re-homed.

“Ahhh, forward…  That’s a good way to go…  Forward….” she said.

We all want to help. 

But sometimes there is NOTHING, absolutely nothing we can do.

And that is a hard fact to accept.

No amount of marshmallows or crackers or sweatpants or boots can make this situation better.  She is sick.  Has an addiction.  She is ill.

“Hey, what’s your name?” I asked before I left.  She told me.  I told her mine.  And I repeated hers out loud.

I repeated it as much to help me try and remember it and I did for her to HEAR IT being spoken.

She is still there.  It’s been an hour, and she is still there.  I can see her from our porch.  She is sitting – I am sure on the same soggy cardboard I saw up close. 

Only now, she has a new warm hoodie pulled up on her head.

And in her belly, hot chocolate and whipped cream.

Maybe some crackers.

Maybe some applesauce…

We all need the same things, every one of us.

We need food. 

Love.

Someone to care.

Community.

Warmth.

Safety.

And for someone to know our name.

For information on substance abuse resources available in Arlington, VA, call 571-302-0327

P.S. – Thank you to the stranger who stopped and asked for the shoe size.  I am quite certain that if I had said, “She needs a 9,” you would have pulled over and taken the shoes off your own feet to give.  Thank you to the man walking the dog who worried and cared enough to call the authorities to come check on the woman.  Thank you to those who donated food for the pantry - making it easy for me to run inside and prepare a cup of cocoa and get food options for her to choose from.  Thank you to people who dropped off winter clothing - giving her the dignity to make choices of what she would like.  And thank you to the friend who also saw the situation and took time to ring our doorbell to see if I knew there was a person in need so close by.  Thank you for listening to me and hugging me as I cried telling the story.  And thanks for encouraging me to write it. 

Kindness Rejections

Last night we had the virtual monthly meeting of the Kindness Book Club (yes, there is a Kindness Book Club!!).  We are reading a book called “A Year of Living Kindly” by Donna Cameron.  The book is split into 12 sections, which makes it perfect to meet monthly to discuss.

Our topic this meeting was “Resistance to Kindness”.  If you have never sat down to ponder it (or read Ms. Cameron’s book), you might not have considered that there are, indeed, barriers and resistance to kindness.  And that resistance applies in both directions – in GIVING and in RECEIVING kindness. 

It was an interesting read and even better to talk about with the other group members.  The author examined the topic from several angles.  For example, let’s say someone pays you a compliment.  Compliments are KINDNESS in action.  The book quotes another author, Dr. Dale Turner, who said, “When someone gives you a compliment in words, don’t disagree or minimize what he said, for words are gifts, too.  Accept them gracefully, even if you don’t think you deserve them…  A compliment is a gift not to be thrown away carelessly unless you want to hurt the giver”. 

Oh my – that shines a different light on my (and many other females’) often instant reaction to compliments.  “Susan – your outfit is so cute today!” a friend might say.  To which I may respond, “Oh, this?  I got it free from a neighbor.  It doesn’t really fit me that great…”.  Or if someone compliments my work as an interpreter.  “Hey, you were amazing interpreting that meeting.  It went so smoothly, and your word choices were terrific”.  To which I often say things like, “Oh thanks…  But ugh.  I could not think of the English word for that sign.  I felt like I was fumbling trying to piece that one sentence together…” or some other derogatory comment about my own work. 

When I (when WE) do that, we unconsciously offend the compliment giver.  In a sense, we take the beautifully wrapped compliment they handed us, shake the box around a bit, and hand the present right back to them.  Rude, right?

Another chapter talked about how no kindness is ever too small, and that we should be on the look-out for “TNT”s – Tiny Noticeable Things.  They are the small bits of kindness that are scattered throughout our day that many of us are too busy to notice.  TNTs are not big, grand gestures.  They are the opposite – little things that we can do (or receive) that, if we notice them, can make the world a better place.  Because, you see, these TNTs add up.  One smile from a stranger.  One wave from a child on a bus.  One person holding the door…  Tiny thing compounded with another tiny thing added to yet another tiny thing…  Until, if we are observant, they are not TINY anymore, but they have grown into a great big blob of kindness! 

But the chapter that held my attention most was the one about the phenomenon of people REJECTING the kindness that we offer them.  Oh, that subject hit home with me!

We often have our efforts rejected in our work with Kindness Activist.  That is something I didn’t expect when I set out on this adventure.  I guess I subconsciously just assumed that if we were to OFFER kindness to someone, they would of course ACCEPT it.  But I have learned that is not the case…

·      The people in grocery stores who refuse to let us pay for their order.

·      The people in cars at the red light who won’t roll down their windows when we smile and hold up a sign saying HAPPY PI DAY and try to give them a pie.

·      The strangers who refuse to make eye contact, let alone return my greeting, when I smile and say hello to them.

People reject kindness often.  That’s why when I talk with groups about Kindness Activist, I often say you have to be willing to fail at giving kindness.  You have to have thick skin to be kind.  You have to be brave! 

In “A Year of Living Kindly”, the author talks about how once the kindness we have offered is rejected by someone, it may make it difficult for us to try again the next time.  We may hesitate.  After all, no one likes feeling scorned.

I know that this is true in our kindness work.  I recall times when we offered to pay for someone’s groceries and they said no (usually it is a polite no, but a no none the less).  It’s so awkward!!  We are literally standing right next to them.  Where do we move to?  What do we say?  What do we do??  AWKWARD! 

What we usually do is walk away (feeling embarrassed).  We re-group.  And we look for another person to be kind to.  Only, once we have failed at giving kindness, we are not as eager to get back on the horse and try again…  I come up with LOTS of excuses in my head.  “Oh, that person will not accept if we offer – they have quite a lot of groceries and they will think it is too much money…”.  And, “Oh, let’s not ask that man.  Men always say no!” (which is a gross overgeneralization, but honestly, men do reject our offers of kindness more often than women do).  I am embarrassed to admit that we have sometimes given up and just left the store after being rejected.  (We always try again another time, but I feel more trepidatious and less excited…)

I tell you about these failures because I wanted to share a story of something that happened just today.  I failed at kindness today.  But I didn’t give up this time!  And I think that is because we had talked about this very topic at book club last night.

This morning, I saw a post in a large Facebook group called “Arlington Neighbors Helping Each Other”, a group that has 51,600 members.  A woman wrote explaining that she had taken down her previous post because of the mean spirited, negative comments that were made on it. 

I had not seen the original post, but could surmise from comments on the newer one that it had been about warning neighbors of a potentially dangerous situation at a local school.  The woman felt attacked by some commenters, so much so that she cried at work.

I felt angry.  I was mad that people felt emboldened to attack her for what she had said, especially in a group literally named “Neighbors Helping Each Other”. 

But after I got mad, I commented.  I told her that I was sorry people had been mean and disrespectful to her.  And I asked her to please check her messages because I was writing to her.

Because… 

I realized that this sad situation presented a perfect opportunity for KINDNESS! 

I wrote: “Hi there. I just saw your post in the Arlington Neighbors page. I didn't see the deleted post, but I want to say that I'm sorry people were nasty and mean.  I used to think our town was somehow different and that hatred wouldn't get here, but sadly it has.  I founded and run a non-profit called Kindness Activist. We exist to spread kindness. I know it's not much, and it's not like it will change the world, but we would love to treat you to lunch today. We can have something delivered.”

I was excited to see when she had read the message.  But then her rejection of my kindness popped in…

“Hi Susan! Thank you for reaching out! I really appreciate the offer, but maybe that lunch can be given to someone more in need! I think with everything going on it just makes me sad.  …The comments on the post just got to me.”

Dang!  Rejection.

Only, because we had talked through this very topic last night, I decided to give it one more shot.  Yes, I was a bit embarrassed and I didn’t want to seem like I was groveling.  And maybe it was easier to try a 2^nd time because this was over a keyboard and not standing next to her at a restaurant…

So, I said, “Our philosophy is that EVERYONE deserves kindness!  Some of our work is needs based, but some is what we like to call "magic based". We would love to gift you lunch if you are open to it, just to add a tiny ray of sunshine to your crappy day.”

She read my message.

She seemed to think about it for a moment…

AND THEN SHE ACCEPTED!

It worked!  Being brave enough to offer a 2^nd time (with more explanation) gave her the opportunity to accept the gift.  I was so happy!

She told me her order, I placed it via UberEats, and a short while later I presume she was sitting down and eating that tasty lunch. 

I share this story to remind you to be kind. 

Even when it is hard.

Even when you get rejected.

Even if it seems like it is a teeny tiny kindness that certainly can’t really make a difference…

Because acts of kindness DO make a difference. 

One grand act of kindness at a time.  Loads of tiny of acts of kindness. 

They.  Make.  A.  Difference. 

WE can make a difference. 

We can, as this sweet kid artist told us on this sign, "Make the world a better plase."

From Donuts to Fancy Gowns (and Everything in Between...)

This update on Kindness Activist funds not only includes how they have been used, but how even more came in.

First up – “It’s Friday night, and you know what that means…”.  My partner David and I have taken to picking up meals for community members when we are in the grocery store.  We get our groceries, then decide on what meal we will grab for someone else.  Sometimes it is dinner, sometimes breakfast for the next morning.  We gather what looks tasty to us, photograph it, then post about it in a local Facebook group, always starting with the line, “It’s Friday night (or Tuesday or Thursday…), and you know what that means…”.  We explain what food is on offer and that whoever receives the meal must run out to our car and meet us to pick it up.  We have had a great time with these deliveries and met some very sweet neighbors!! 

Dinner anyone?

Total Kindness Activist funds spent on these meals since the last report:  $117.23

 

Next – a donation.  The other day as I was walking from the pantry back into the house, a car honked at me.  This is not uncommon – we live on a very busy street and I am outside a lot.  I am quite good at “interpreting” honks!  There is the “go you idiot - the light is green!” honk.  The “you just turned right in front of me and I almost hit you!” honk.  And the “hi Susan!” honk.   This was a “hi Susan” honk.  I turned and waved (though honestly did not know who I was waving at…).  As I turned back to walk inside, I heard another honk.  This seemed to be a “come over here please” honk.  And sure enough, when I looked, the woman who had honked to say hello had pulled over, rolled down her window, and was waving at me to come to her car.

She had a beautiful smile and a warm welcome.  She said that she drives by our home often and has always hoped to catch me outside.  She appreciates the projects and work that happens at the Big Yellow House and was eager to pitch in and be a part of it.  She told me that her name was Mary and handed me a $20 bill.  Isn’t that sweet??

Total Kindness Activist funds received from a stranger who caught a Kindness ripple:  $20

And now, a story of new beginnings.  I got this message from a neighbor: “I was wondering if you might be able to check something for me.  One of the Afghans I am helping just got a job as a security guard, and they told him that he needs a black coat/jacket.  Would you have anything that might fit the description in a men’s medium?  Thanks so much!”.

Well, I think that that situation calls for a NEW COAT, don’t you?  A person who arrived in this country not long ago, with a brand new job, making a fresh start?  Yes, that man needed a NEW COAT!  The woman who reached out to me and I checked out Amazon and found a coat that looked perfect.  And because of the amazing Amazon Prime, the coat arrived quickly.  Project Warmth was in high gear at the time, so we had a great pair of brand new gloves and new warm socks to round out the gift.  The person who contacted me said that the coat recipient loves America, especially now that he has a job!

Total Kindness Activist funds spent:  $51.98

Here’s a tale of another donation.  A family that lives near us is barely scraping by.  It is a multi-generational household that has a hard time putting food on the table.  They sometimes check the pantry to see if there is anything that they would like to eat.  Well, the other day one of the family members saw me outside and said, “Miss Susan, I feel drawn in my heart to make a contribution”.  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a $5 bill.  “No, no, you don’t need to do that,” I said, knowing that they don’t have $5 to spare.  But he insisted.  He wanted to give back. 

That happens often at the Little Yellow Free Pantry.  Guests who come to get items sometimes also donate items.  Often, they will bring canned goods to the pantry that they received at the local food bank.  I think they get their allocation of food from the food bank, sort it out and decide what they need/want, and donate the rest of it to the LYFP so that others can eat.  Isn’t that beautiful?  So, I accepted the man’s $5 donation.  Not only will it fund some kindness, it also gave him a sense of self-worth that had to feel good.

Total Kindness Activist funds received from a neighbor who uses the LYFP:  $5

And speaking of the Little Yellow Free Pantry…  I was outside filling it up the other day as the local middle school kids were walking by on their way home.  One young man who I did not know stopped to say hello.  I asked him if he wanted anything, and he said, “You have a lot of food.  Can you donate some canned goods?”.  “Oh!  Are you collecting food?” I asked.  “Yes, for the homeless,” he explained.  I asked if it was a project for his Boy Scout troop and he said that no, it was for the middle school. 

I was so impressed that this boy was brave enough to stop and ask!  And of course, this is a perfect project to use Kindness Activist funds on.  “Sure!” I told him.  “I will order some canned goods for you.  What would you like me to donate?”.  That one stumped him…  He wasn’t sure.  “Well, people who are homeless like to eat the same things you like to eat!” I explained.  In the end, we decided on a vegetable, some soup, and a fruit.  I had him write down his name and number so that I could text him when the food arrived, but I couldn’t quite read the writing and was not sure the text I sent was delivered.  So, today we dropped the canned goods off at the school’s office.  The secretary could not read the writing, either, but I hope they figure out who the child was so that he can get credit for being so brave and asking!

Total Kindness Activist funds spent:  $58.43

One more story about food pantries…  A friend who works at a local Title 1 elementary school contacted me.  Title 1 schools in the US serve low income students.  The friend’s message said, “Hi – the local bank delivers food every month for a food pantry at our school.  I just found out they can’t provide it by our pantry date this month”.  She explained that 120 families at the school rely on that pantry, and if she could raise funds, some staff would go to a store where they could stretch the dollars and do their best to ensure those people had food. 

Kindness Activist donated $200, and she was able to double that with other donations.  The following week we received a box of beautiful donated produce and that was also given to the school to share with their families.  Because, you know, everyone deserves good food.

Total Kindness Activist funds spent:  $200

Ok, final story for this report!  A little neighbor girl has become a model -taking classes and participating in fashion shows.  This has to be great for her self-esteem, but it is tough on her mamma’s pocketbook!!  And of course, mamma has other financial obligations, too…

So, Kindness Activist treated the girl to a dress of her choosing for one of her events.  When the girl put it on, she told her mom that she felt “like Cinderella, and Miss Susan (Kindness Activist) is my Fairy Godmother”.  Mom has promised to share the gown with another model when it no longer fits her daughter, so that the Kindness ripple can spread even further.

Total Kindness Activist funds spent:  $52.99

 

 

Good Food

Sometimes being in charge of the Little Yellow Free Pantry overwhelms me.

That’s the truth.

It is not an easy project to manage.  It probably seems easy when you look at it:  a relatively small box, two shelves, with food and toiletries displayed inside.  I mean, how hard can that be to run??

But in reality – it is very hard. 

There are the daily Amazon donations to unpack, bring down to the pantry storage area, and put away.  There are the daily hand delivered donations to sort through (checking “best by” dates), bring down to the pantry storage area, and put away.  There is the Amazon list to keep up to date (don’t want too much of one thing and none of something else).  There is the constant restocking of items in the pantry.  There is greeting guests and running down to the storage area to bring them out bags of what they need.  There is collecting, responding to, shopping for food, and delivering it when notes for special items are left in pantry.

And that doesn’t take into account the physical upkeep of the actual pantry!  Changing batteries when the lights don’t work.  Fixing the doors when they get broken.  Honestly, the whole pantry needs to be rebuilt at the moment as it has been out in the elements for two years and is falling apart a bit.

I tell you these things not to complain – trust me, I loooove being the keeper of the Little Yellow Free Pantry.  It brings me great joy.  But I share those things so that you might get a sense of how it can all get a bit overwhelming sometimes.

But then something happens, something always happens, to center me in the experience and remind me that all of the effort is indeed worth it.

One of those things happened today.  I want to share it with you so that you, too, can get a sense of the value that a tiny box with two shelves can bring to a community.

We were out in the yard, having just hung about 150 plastic eggs filled with treats from our fence for passersby to find and share (with 100 more to hang tomorrow).  It looks like quite a sight - brightly colored plastic eggs dangling from pretty ribbons all along the fence.  Lovely! 

Two women I had never seen before stopped to take it all in.  They looked a bit confused (and I can understand why, the whole vibe of our home can be a touch overwhelming).  They walked to the pantry and stopped to look in.  They didn’t open the doors but peered through the windows of the pantry.  They spoke quietly to one another in a language I could tell was not English, but they were so quiet I couldn’t make it out.  Then one of them said to me, “Food??”. 

“Yes!” I told them.  “Food!  For all (I gestured around the neighborhood)”.  More quiet talking, likely translating what I had tried to explain.  “For you!  You can have”.  Quiet talking…  “What would you like?  Soup?  Peanut butter?  Tea?” I tried.  “Eggs??” was the quiet response.  Sadly, I had just given away the eggs this morning…  “Hmmm, no eggs…  You wait – I will show!  Please stay,” I said as I rushed in to fill a basket with choices.  With the language barrier I figured it would be easier to SHOW than TELL. 

I brought out a basket of items and some cloth grocery bags.  I gave each woman a bag and held up an item.  “Soup – yes or no??”   “Yes!”  I put it into one of their bags.  “Shampoo (gesturing to show washing my hair) – yes or no?”  “Yes,” they said as they caught on to the system. 

One by one we went through the items, some yes, some no.  After one yes on a food item, the woman asked, “Is good??”.  Hmmm, what did she mean?  Does it taste good?  She saw the confusion on my face and tried again.  “Is, ummm, expire??” she asked.  “Ahhh, no!!  Not expired!  Good!  Good.  All good.  All food here – GOOD,” I explained.  And then I realized that this must seem too good to be true.  How had they happened upon such a place – a place that would help them fill their bellies and wash their hair – and the things they would be given were nice and fresh and new and GOOD.  (And I where had they been given things that were not good, and so often that they had learned the word “expire”….)

I asked where they were from and they told me Afghanistan.  They have been here for one and a half years.  Meaning – they are refugees of the war. 

It is moments like that when I am reminded that the mission of the pantry is important.  Not only does it provide nourishment to many, it also provides hope.  It provides welcome.  It provides community.  

Welcome to the neighborhood, ladies.  I wish we had met you sooner.  I am thankful you walked by today and were brave enough to stop and talk.  May America be a safe place for you.  May you make many friends in this country.  And may your food always be GOOD.

Cold, Sticky Kindness

So, not gonna lie.

Sometimes the injustices, the inequities, and the overall sadness of life get to me. A friend's husband got bad news on his health today. A neighbor confided over tears yesterday that her husband is drinking (again) and it is causing huge problems. Two friends are working very hard to get out of abusive situations... The world piles on a LOT sometimes and it is hard to see the positive.

Last night I couldn't sleep. Only, I wasn't worried about anything, but I had an IDEA that I couldn't stop thinking about: POPSICLES.

The weather report said today was going to have a high of 86 degrees, and it was spot on. Instead of spring, it felt like a summer day. And I wanted to celebrate that with POPSICLES. For everyone.

I asked David to do a grocery run to stock up on a variety of popsicles today, and I did another quick run for more (and ice) after I finished work. I had posted in two local groups that people could stop by between 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm tonight for a popsicle, but of course I had no idea how many would show up.

I "opened" early - 6:25. I think it was because I was so excited! And for the first few minutes I sat on the front porch steps alone... But then people started coming! Neighbors who had seen the post and came specifically for a treat. Joggers who paused when they saw the action and got a popsicle. A pantry guest on his way home from work who was surprised that he could get not only his instant mashed potatoes in the pantry, but also a popsicle!

Around 50 people came. We chatted. Kids got sticky, the kind of sticky a good popsicle makes you.

The horribleness in the world still remains. One evening of fresh air and popsicles cannot cure that. But people came. Neighbors talked. I met new people. Babies ate their first popsicles.

Earth shattering? Not at all. But a little drop in the bucket toward making the world a better place.

Kindness Activist funds used: $51.95 (and enough leftovers in the freezer to host another popsicle night)

Magic spread: impossible to measure, but I for one feel a bit better about the world tonight.

#KindnessActivist #MeetYourNeighbors #Popsicles