Coming from a smaller city like Denver, spending four days walking the uneven grounds of San Francisco was pretty overwhelming. The cultural dynamics are much different than from what I would consider “my city.” And in Denver the homeless is nothing like San Francisco. From my home in Highlands Ranch I see very little homeless people and with very little I mean I basically never see them. In a rare trip to Downtown Denver I was told to put my purse across my body and pull it to the front of my body “so it’s always in my sight.” In Denver, people think the homeless are our enemies, but in the big city they are forgotten and left behind.

Jerseys is a pizza place just a few blocks from my hotel in San Francisco. Thanks to the yearbook company Jostens, the MVM group and a few more Colorado schools had their meal paid for. This pizza would be worth something to eat; it was good stuff. With extra slices we filled one large box and a smaller box. Our mission was to give both boxes away to someone who needed it. I am not the most outgoing person in the group so when I was handed the second box I was a little terrified and honestly was a little unsure of what to do.

The sun was starting to go down and those without homes were finding their way to a camping spot. One guy had his blanket completely covering him and his face. As we walked past, he peeked his head out and instantly I knew he needed what was in the box more than others. I turn around and walk to him. I say “excuse me sir, would you like a pizza?” Instantly, his face brightened as he removed the blanket. The look on his face was something one can not just forget.

When we look at people who appear “lower” than us, we lose sight of why they are actually out on the streets. Not all homeless people are bad people and not all homeless people intended to live on the street. I encourage you that the next time you are downtown at a restaurant don’t leave your left overs. Even if it is a little bit, you will make someone’s day.