Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Selflessness

Tonight we went on our last sandwich run before Thanksgiving break; we had 6 people come out and we made 24 bag dinners. It was the first night that it was truly cold out, so it wasn’t surprising that there weren’t a lot of people out to give the bags to. The people we did see were grateful and thanked us with what have become familiar smiles and words.
Within the group of people that came there were a lot of people who had come to Lesley Delivers before, some of them have been nervous on their first few times about going up to people and asking them if they wanted food. Tonight I saw a few who hung back before step up and want to do it. It proves that it is not only the people receiving the food that are receiving something, but the people who give as well.
There were three people in a place that we normally stop that one group gave some dinners to, and then on the way back the other group stopped by. At this point the number had grown to six people laying there so, having extra sandwiches, they offered to the people who just got there and the people who were already there. One of the men who was just settling down was very sweet and shy, but talked to us about what we were doing and how cold it was. When we asked him if he wanted a bag, he made sure that we gave one to everyone else before he took one – even though some people there already had two. There were a few that he referred to by their first names and acted like he was close to them. Sometimes we feel the need to be selfless in the face of difficulty. Sometimes we focus so much on the people we care about that we forget ourselves. We forget our basic needs because to us, our friends and family are all that we really do need.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Warmth

Last night Row House came out with us for the run. We had 20 people came out and made 26 bagged dinners. The past few runs we have had a great selection of food to put in the bags because of the donations from the peanut butter and jelly drive. While on the run a group came across a man that we normally see every time. Usually he is with his wife, but last night he was alone. He began to talk with the group about what Lesley Delivers does. He told us that most people out in Harvard Square who are sleeping outside need blankets and asked us if that is something we do. He told us that he usually spends the money he gets on the street on blankets for the other people he sees. This man is truly an inspiration to us. Even though he and his wife are in the same position, he wants to try and better the lives of others.
This is a perfect time to mention that Lesley Deliver and the Lesley University Softball team are sponsoring our 2nd Annual Winter Coat and Accessories Drive. We are looking for an old coats, sweaters/ sweatshirts, blankets, scarves, hats, and gloves that are in good condition to donate to local Cambridge shelters.
If we can learn anything from the man we met last night, it is that helping other stay warm (and helping others in general) can also help you and warm your heart – sometimes that’s the only thing you need to keep warm.

Interest

Lesley Delivers and the Class of 2011 paired up last week to do a sandwich run. We had 14 people come out and made 21 bags of food. We saw a lot of people out, which very well could have been because of the weather. We saw the two men who are usually up on the stairs again, but this time was different from the past few times. This time, when some of us went up the stairs they came out from underneath their tarps and blankets and talked with us. It was a happy moment to know that we had made yet another connection and we were able to talk to them about what we do.
We are really glad that more groups and dorms on campus are becoming interested in Lesley Delivers. Collaborating with these groups helps raise awareness and brings people closer together.
We had our first Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive last week, and so many people donated! We received 18 jars of peanut butter and 15 jars of jelly along with many other things to make the runs better. We want to thank everyone for their kindness!