Many of my customers know I will trade a paper for something to eat or drink. Here are just a few of the most recent examples:
Everyone who’s lived in Tennessee for any length of time knows the weather is subject to change without much notice. Such was the case one chilly day when a young man heard me say that I was cold. As many of my readers know, I recently moved out and back in again and I hadn’t found the box with my coats and jackets in it. The next time the young man saw me out, he whipped into the parking lot and brought me a hunter-green hoodie with ‘Country Farms’ on it to keep me warm! Well, this country girl who spent A LOT of time on a farm REALLY appreciated it!
Jessamine gave me one of the best gifts on a hot, sunny day: an ice-cold bottle of water and a bottle of SPF 50 sunscreen! I’d run out and was beginning to look like an overcooked lobster!
Ethan came by one day and asked about the paper, but had no cash. The next day he returned with three bottles of water, one regular and two flavored (or liquid gold as I call it on such an EXTREMELY hot day.)
Jerry bought food for my granddaughter at the end of the day after school — her favorite from McDonald’s — a crispy chicken sandwich and McNuggets!
Harmond (I had him spell that to make sure I got it right) bought me a gyro plate, taking the time to take my order as if he were a waiter. I thanked him for actually taking the paper, I was fighting back tears explaining it had been a slow day, and it’s REALLY hard to take pride in what I do if people DON’T take the paper. He seemed to understand. He’s since returned bringing his young son Roman, who’s about to turn 3, and again he bought my dinner, this time without jotting it down. What a memory he has!
A lady named Joy brought me a shrimp boil (like they have at Juicy Seafood, but it was from some place in Mt. Juliet). Turns out, it was enough to feed my granddaughter who LOVES those, and myself — with a little left over for my daughter too!
Zach, who recently moved here from Arizona and his girlfriend Hallie who still lives near Scottsdale but was in town for a visit stopped to ask what I was doing. I explained about the paper. Though they didn’t have any cash, they gave me some Taco Bell in trade. Since that first meeting, they’ve returned with even more Taco Bell. Most recently I told him I almost didn’t recognize him without Taco Bell. Instead, he’d surprised me with some tasty fried chicken! I ate a piece immediately; I was hungry! Turns out, it was enough to feed the whole family. He’s also sent some cash via Venmo!
Carlos stopped for a visit as he walked up the sidewalk, he had quite a story to tell (it may find its way into a future issue of The Contributor). The following day, he returned with his girlfriend Janet and some tasty quesadillas from Saint Anejo’s Cantina as a thank you for taking the time to listen to his story! Yum!
A young lady and her dad, while visiting from Indiana, stopped by with a good bit of fruit and water. They were curious about what I was doing, and when I explained they said there’s nothing like The Contributor where they’re from.
I said, “Well, if you like what you read, maybe you could start a paper of your own to help those in need where you live.”
The light changed and away they went.
One of my MTA drivers happened to be in the area while I was out and noticed I had no water like I usually do. When he finished his run that day he returned with two gallons of water!
Sequoia (like the tree) from Branson, Mo, recently stopped and asked about the paper but had no cash. Instead, she bought me a gyro and some cheese fries and kept me company while I waited for my ride.
Brian always brings me coffee — iced on warm days and hot on cold ones.
Rosalyn often brings food on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This particular day turkey, mixed vegetables, and mashed potatoes were on the menu. She asked where I’d been lately, and when I explained she said she comes out to Antioch too when she has food left, and now that she knows where to find me she promised to come for a visit!
To others who have been missing me at my usual location at OHB and Central Pike, I’ve been hanging out some in Antioch near my granddaughter’s new high school.
At Starbucks I’ve received plenty of water, some breakfast sandwiches with bacon, eggs and Gouda cheese, and even an Impossible, plant-based breakfast sandwich. Both Woody and Monae have my coffee order down, and Monae has even brought a bag with all kinds of goodies in it and a fuzzy blanket that was particularly useful one chilly morning.
Meanwhile at McDonald’s: in just one day was given three cups of coffee, an Arnold Palmer with no ice (my favorite) in addition to two double cheeseburgers and fries, and two McChickens. They definitely keep me fed and hydrated!
Thanks for EVERYTHING! It is greatly appreciated.