When I am in a big city, as I was last week, I am a magnet for homeless people. I hadn’t been outside my rental car in downtown Memphis for one minute this week when “Andrew” approached me. His story sounded legit (as they all do). He was wearing a hospital band indicating that at some point he’d been in the hospital. He could name names and addresses of places he needed to go and gave great detail. If he wasn’t really in need, he went to a lot of trouble to make it look that way, so I broke. I violated a policy I set years ago to NEVER give homeless people money. I gave him five bucks to pay what he owed a shelter (apparently they charge homeless people in Memphis. I DID check that out). 

I think homeless people see me and see the word “sucker” written on my forehead. I can unequivocally say that 100% of the time I walk in a city, I am accosted by several. SO this week while in Memphis, I decided to come armed. I brought food with me and made sure I had SOMETHING any time I walked outside the Peabody Hotel. Interestingly, on one of my walks, I had food to give away yet I couldn’t find a homeless person anywhere (I even made up a parody to the tune of “Where have all the flowers gone?” called “Where have all the homeless gone?”).  After walking around for awhile and eating a great dinner at Rendevouz, (I then had leftover BBQ to go with the ham sandwich), to give away. I walked several blocks in the cold wearing only a long sleeve t-shirt, and finally a homeless man approached me (I had never been so excited to see a homeless person in my life!). He noticed that I was shivering and he offered me his coat. I declined politely and unloaded my lunch bag (ham sandwich, apple, cookie and chips). He may not have gotten what he wanted from me but at least he didn’t go hungry.

While in Washington, DC when I was 21 years old, I was approached by a homeless man who said he was hungry. I noticed a store that sold lots of “beverages” but no food nearby. I am guessing he wasn’t REALLY hungry just perhaps thirsty for something that in the long run may have hurt him more than helped him. So on that muggy August day, I initiated the HPNCR (The Homeless Person No Cash Rule)and until December 4th 2007, I followed the HPNCR rule faithfully. Over the years, I have bought many lunches, bus fares, taxi rides, clothes and even a night or two of hotel. I have even “employed” a few people who had needs and were willing to work. Once I picked up a homeless man and drove him two hours to Tallahassee, FL. I even let him play my guitar at night and met him by Lake Ella near St.Paul’s United Methodist Church to hear him play. He attracted a small crowd of people as he played that night. He had been a backup guitarist for Eric Clapton. I think he was telling the truth as he did “rock” on the guitar.

Now that I am married, I have a new rule to follow. It was sent down from the Richardson family domestic CEO. I have sworn to follow it and it’s inscribed inside of my wedding band. It’s a much more safe and sane rule called HP(S)NCIYC or the Homeless Persons (Shall) Never Come Inside Your Car rule. I will still help ANYONE who legitimately needs help but until this week, not with cash.So Andrew got me. Initially I had told him I was going to check out his story (which I delegated to The Peabody Concierge). My thought was that I would find out if he was telling the truth and then go back to help him to pay for his night at the shelter. As I started walking away I realized that this was going to take more time than I had, so I decided to trust him and give him the money (later he was waiting by my car with a new story…the cops had seen me give him the money and taken it away because he was pan handling….hmmmm).

So how do we solve this problem readers? I admit it, I don’t understand homelessness. It’s beyond me to imagine living on the street. I just can’t imagine how it would feel. I know most people would exhaust every possibility before turning to street life, obviously not everyone does. I’ll never understand why people who are smart enough to con people daily into giving them a “free lunch” can’t use those skills to live productive (if not even) rich lives. Perhaps I should walk in their shoes for a day like activist, author, and Richest People in America nominee Shane Claibourne does. Maybe it’s wearing (and following) the initials written in white on blue bracelets - WWJD. 

After interviewing Craig Kielberger this year, I vividily remember his description of his parents helping others. He said his mother always helped those less fortunate. Craig told me that she looked into their eyes and honored their humanity. It left an indellible impression on Craig and may be a big part of the reason Craig and his brother Marc are changing the world through their Free the Children philanthropy. I think part of my job as a parent is to do the same, even when no one is watching.