My Daughter & The Homeless Woman

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Last week, my daughter saw a homeless woman who would sit at a busy corner near her house. It was in the teens and very cold that day.

The woman was there when she took her daughter to school in an adjacent town, and she was still there when she came back.

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As the woman was walking through the Target parking lot, my daughter pulled over and asked if she needed anything. The woman, she told me, was wearing only tennis shoes and a jacket and was pushing a cart.

Trying To Help:

My daughter went home, grabbed some insulated socks, hand warmers, and a comforter, and took them back to give to the homeless woman.

She said the woman wouldn’t look at her and was very nervous. Of course, she was. She was probably not accustomed to many forms of kindness.

Kendra asked again if she needed anything or would like to join her at the nearby Starbucks for a cup of coffee to help warm her up.

She said the homeless woman kept thanking her and telling her she didn’t have to help her. But she didn’t seem to want to go to Starbucks.

Since my daughter could tell that she was making the woman nervous. She asked her to stay there and she would run into Target to get her some things. She would get a wool hat, gloves, and some cash for the woman so she could get coffee.

The Policeman:

When my daughter came out of Target with her purchases, a policeman passed by her as he was walking in. She stopped him and told him about the homeless lady.

My daughter asked him if he would take the homeless woman to a shelter if she agreed to go. Kendra told him she didn’t feel comfortable offering the woman a ride to a shelter because she was alone. He told her he couldn’t because of “liability.”

But, my daughter said to him, he had a gun and protection in his police vehicle that she did not have in hers. She told me that she didn’t think that was necessary, but one never knows.

You Can’t Help Them All, The Policeman Said:

The policeman chuckled and said, “They are everywhere, and you can’t save them all.”

She was furious at his response. So my daughter went ahead and took the gloves and items she’d purchased to the homeless woman. The poor woman’s face was bright red from the cold wind. Kendra advised her to stay warm and get some hot coffee with the money she gave her.

She said the woman acted like she didn’t deserve to be warm, and that just broke her heart. By then, she was upset and angry and began to cry in frustration.

Kendra said she knows that people make their own individual choices. And maybe the woman didn’t want to go to the shelter. Perhaps the homeless woman didn’t feel safe at a shelter and would rather be sitting in freezing weather than be warm indoors.

Perhaps it is mental illness or shame or who knows what. “But,” my daughter kept saying to me, “she is a human being.”

The officer was correct about one thing. You can’t help them all, for there are so many. But on the other hand, he could have shown a bit of compassion. Maybe he could have taken the time to help that one woman.

A Woman Who Lived Under a Bridge:

I met a woman once who said she’d lived under a bridge for 18 years. She mentioned that she had a daughter who lived in town, but didn’t want to be a bother. This woman was a little younger than I am.

I could not imagine living on the street for 18 years, or even one year. Yes, the world is full of homeless and hungry people. It is a travesty, but it is what it is.

My Daughter & The Homeless Woman:

What happened that day with my daughter and the homeless woman has stayed with me. I still think about it from time to time.

It is a reminder that kindness doesn’t need to be grand or complicated—it just needs to be genuine. Sometimes the smallest gestures carry the greatest weight, and sometimes our children are the ones who show us how to love best.

My philosophy is: If you haven’t walked a mile in someone’s shoes, you’ve no right to judge them.

Why Helping The Homeless Matters:

Homelessness is something many of us see daily, yet it’s easy to look away and continue on with our routines. But behind every person sitting on a street corner is a story, and behind every story is a human being who deserves compassion, dignity, and hope.

When we extend kindness to someone, we do more than meet a physical need—we remind them that they are seen. Homelessness can feel isolating, and even the simplest act of recognition can bring a spark of humanity back into someone’s day.

Practical Ways to Help the Homeless:

• Provide food or water: Carrying extra snacks or bottled water in your bag can turn into an opportunity to brighten someone’s day.
• Donate essentials: Items like socks, blankets, and hygiene products are always in high demand.
• Volunteer at shelters: Many local shelters need extra hands to serve meals or sort donations.
• Support organizations: Contributing to community programs that provide long-term resources, such as housing or job assistance, creates a lasting impact.
• Offer kindness: Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is stop, smile, and engage in a respectful conversation.

Teaching Compassion to the Next Generation:

Children learn by example. When they see us giving back, they understand that kindness is not an obligation—it’s a way of life.

Encouraging them to help in age-appropriate ways, like donating clothes they’ve outgrown or handing out care packages, builds empathy that will last a lifetime.

A Reminder for Us All:

We can’t solve homelessness alone, but we can make a difference in the lives we cross paths with by spreading acts of kindness. Each act of generosity adds up, creating ripples of hope that extends far beyond what we can see.