Diner's choice
Friday, July 24, 2009 at 7:49AM Walking up Merrimack Street toward the Pine Street parking lot a couple of days ago, a homeless man emerged from Piss Alley and fell in behind me. After about a dozen steps, he began to shake me down in the traditional manner.
“Excuse me, sir. Excuse me,” he said, trotting to catch up with me.
When I stopped, he came closer. He told me was homeless and hungry and could he please have some money for lunch.
As I’ve noted in a previous blog post, I’m averse to just handing money over to the homeless. Instead, I offer to buy them a meal. All, save one, have turned down this offer, and I expected this gentleman to do the same.
Shockingly, he did not. In fact, he accepted enthusiastically. He selected a pre-packaged ham and cheese sandwich and a Mountain Dew Code Red from the nearest food-selling establishment, U&P Convenience:
After I paid, the man gave me the customary “God bless you, sir” and proceeded across the street to Veterans Park to eat.
Now a sandwich and a soda is an adequate lunch, I suppose, but I still felt a little guilty that the best dining option at this bodega was a pre-packaged sandwich and a soda. That said, I was on my way to a meeting and didn’t have time to meander across downtown to find him something a little bit healthier, or at least tastier.
Ideally, I’d like to be able to give those who ask (or those who just look like they could eat) a gift card redeemable for a meal at a downtown restaurant of the recipient’s choice.
Those who wish to help the homeless, but who, like me, do not want to encourage panhandling or enable drug and alcohol addictions, could purchase these cards and keep a few handy in our wallets. When asked for money — as most who live and work in downtown Manchester are from time to time — a gift card could be easily handed over, allowing the giver to proceed on his or her merry way knowing that they have helped their fellow man in a simple, but very meaningful way.
This would be a great initiative for Intown Manchester, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit contracted by the City of Manchester to operate a Business Improvement District and increase the economic vitality of downtown. I think reducing panhandling would fall within its mission to improve downtown’s economic vitality by making it more attractive to shoppers and diners.
Granted, not all downtown restaurants will want to take part. I doubt the owners of Hanover Street Chophouse, Firefly American Bistro or Z Food and Drink want the homeless showing up in their dining rooms. But there are plenty more egalitarian places like the Red Arrow, Quizno’s, City Flame Smoke House, Consuelo’s Tacqueria, Dunkin’ Donuts or Caesario’s that might take part. Who knows, it might even lead to a a few extra bills in the register, especially if participating restaurants encouraged gift card sales by allowing them to be purchased at a discount, say a $10 gift card for $5.
Reader Comments (5)
Good idea! I really think you should send this post over to Sam Appleton at Intown. This is a good idea, and now, when downtown restaurants aren't picky about their clientele, is the right time to get it started.
I think I will do just that, Joseph! Thanks!
thank you for always offering what you can and encouraging others to do the same. Maybe these people exsist as they do to create compassion in us and remind ourselves that we are all related. No one was born homeless, alcoholic or addict or not. In these hard times I meet people that have simply run out of resources. It can happen to anyone.
Hey Cindy: very nice note. But unfortunately, many are born homeless, damaged by alcohol or addicted to drugs. (Sometimes all three.) We can always hope for the better.
Very good idea Will. I'd also include the downtown hotdog carts in your list of potential eateries.
Check out restaurants.com - here you can purchase gift certificates at a discount. However, a homeless group may need to be entertained when considering the minimum purchase and gratuity included in the bill.
Please note: you need an editor, or at least a second set of eyes, before posting your fab blogs re manchester.
nj