“You Don’t Have to Give Me Shoes”

A middle-aged gentleman came in the other day. He was living unsheltered and his shoes were entirely busted out. He came in for a bus pass and snacks and asked for socks. Of course I got him socks, but then I asked of he needed shoes. What he said then nearly broke my heart.

“I wear a size 11 and you probably won’t have it. But that’s OK, you don’t have to give me shoes. I probably don’t deserve them anyway.”

We did have size 11 shoes, a brand new pair of white Converse tennis shoes. He held on them like they were gold and his whole demeanor changed. After he put them on, he must have said thank you a dozen times. I don’t know who donated those shoes, but they made all the difference! – Christina