Starving Pregnant Women in America???

I think this is a rant. I don;t normally rant.

I just took a cab to the local Corner Store. The rain kills my knees. It's only about $6.80 rt anyway.

I got out of the cab and a tiny, overly thin, woman, maybe about 35 was standing outside of the store. She looked Middle Eastern. or could have been Italian. I am not very good at discerning that. She said , "Excuse me, I'm hungry, do you have any change?" This is not the first time I have been asked. I do live in a wealthy village , now, but have lived in large cities. I gave her what was on the bottom of my purse, about, $3 in change, I would think. I told her, "I need to get change for my cab, I might have a little more after that." Then I said, "Come in with me, let's get you some food."

If it was a drug addict, they would probably turn me down. She says, "Yes, please, I'm pregnant." I got what I needed to get and then told her...get whatever you want (from the sparse ready to eat foods in the convenience store). She wanted a ham sub, a chicken wrap and milk. She tried to stop me from adding other things, but I grabbed soup, banannas, milk I think a couple other things. The one thing she said she wanted to change to was whole milk from the 1% I grabbed. Her jacket fell open, yes I saw the tiny bump.

She was holding an empty cup from the coffee/soda set up. I am guessing the cashier was offering her free tea. I have been going to that store since 2002.

I wish I had got her number. I did tell her that all the 7 churches in the village have food pantries and she must go. She said she would.

Hopefully she does as a food pantry will set her up with Social Services.

I just have no idea how this happens anymore.

She might have gotten kicked out.

If she had the wrong religious tradition, she may be suspicious of going to a church for help, and that means she likely won't go even though you told her to. And if she isn't here legally, then she wouldn't be looking for government assistance either.

There is a story there. Circumstances-who knows? Did you ask questions? She might have been in danger-running away from who knows what. She needed probably more than food. However, it was kind of you to feed her. Poor thing.

originally posted by: Justso
There is a story there. Circumstances-who knows? Did you ask questions? She might have been in danger-running away from who knows what. She needed probably more than food. However, it was kind of you to feed her. Poor thing.

I should have asked. It is the kind of thing you look back on and wonder.

originally posted by: ketsuko
She might have gotten kicked out.

If she had the wrong religious tradition, she may be suspicious of going to a church for help, and that means she likely won't go even though you told her to. And if she isn't here legally, then she wouldn't be looking for government assistance either.

None of the churches here turn anyone down for food. It may be fear of being illegal. But that fear is unfounded, at least for the village I live in.

originally posted by: reldra

originally posted by: ketsuko
She might have gotten kicked out.

If she had the wrong religious tradition, she may be suspicious of going to a church for help, and that means she likely won't go even though you told her to. And if she isn't here legally, then she wouldn't be looking for government assistance either.

None of the churches here turn anyone down for food. It may be fear of being illegal. But that fear is unfounded, at least for the village I live in.

I didn't say the churches would. None I know of would either, but you mentioned that she looked possibly Middle Eastern? If she were maybe Muslim, then it could potentially be dangerous for her to get caught going into or coming out of a Christian church by her coreligionists if she is not so far out of the homeland and neither are they.

Some countries do not look very kindly on apostasy and women do not have any kind of voice.

originally posted by: ketsuko

originally posted by: reldra

originally posted by: ketsuko
She might have gotten kicked out.

If she had the wrong religious tradition, she may be suspicious of going to a church for help, and that means she likely won't go even though you told her to. And if she isn't here legally, then she wouldn't be looking for government assistance either.

None of the churches here turn anyone down for food. It may be fear of being illegal. But that fear is unfounded, at least for the village I live in.

I didn't say the churches would. None I know of would either, but you mentioned that she looked possibly Middle Eastern? If she were maybe Muslim, then it could potentially be dangerous for her to get caught going into or coming out of a Christian church by her coreligionists if she is not so far out of the homeland and neither are they.

Some countries do not look very kindly on apostasy and women do not have any kind of voice.

Aah, I see what you mean.

I just called the store, as I know the cashier. The woman came back in one more time and then left. The cashier said she would call me if she returned.

a reply to: ketsuko

If she wanted a ham sub, the chances are she isn't Muslim.


Nice one, Reldra.

Wheres the father at?

originally posted by: Hazardous1408
a reply to: ketsuko

If she wanted a ham sub, the chances are she isn't Muslim.


Nice one, Reldra.

Ah, nice catch. I forgot that one.

originally posted by: Lysergic
Wheres the father at?

Dunno. Where is my father at? He hasn't spoken to me in over 15 years, though I have tried. How is that relevant to this?

Oddly, fathers tend to disappear. Not all. But more than mothers disappear. Conspiracy? Paranormal? I don't know, it's just a thing.

That was nice of you.

This was in the US right?

originally posted by: Mandroid7
That was nice of you.

This was in the US right?

Yes. The middle of a 1 sq mile village that has a Gazebo and outdoor piano at the center. Across from the town hall that has the farmer's market weekly.

a reply to: reldra

Can't be hungry in America, this only happens in countries that have a socialized government/system.

a reply to: reldra

A touching thread, Reldra.. to the core. My basic faith
in most of us to do the right thing no matter what...

Sometimes the rest of the story is too heartbreaking to
handle. Forty plus years ago...
I was in the train station and within a few minutes of
departure from my morning classes.. and an old guy was
sitting on a bench in the atrium right next to my path.
He was shabby, thin, and looking mighty starved.
Welcome to Chicago, train stations don't give you
frostbite.

Although he asked, he didn't have to.. I know thirsty,
and he was in no way. He got my last two bucks.
WTH, I still had half a tank for the week to get home.

As I walked away past him I noticed a frayed hole in his
coat. I didn't ask if his shoulder matched, or for how long.
All I know is we both know he deserved more than this.
I never saw him again, and still wonder if he's ok.

Thank you.

That's all I got. Just thank you.

a reply to: reldra

You are a good person. Much respect

a reply to: reldra

IDK, I suppose its just as relevant as your personal story.

a reply to: reldra

Right on, you threw me for a loop when you called your town a village.

I have never heard another American call it this.

I almost tossed my scrummy tea and crumpets.

I am going to borrow this term for my town back in Iowa, if you don't mind.

a reply to: reldra

It's very kind what you did for that young woman. In my city, homelessness is an enormous problem. I admittedly have grown jaded by it. I can't walk into or out of a store without being hit up for change or cigarettes. Sometimes I help, many times I look the other way. I go by my gut.