Times are tough.

Our wallets are hurting after the holiday season, prices of every basic need are skyrocketing at an alarming rate, and those in the unhoused population are spending their days in the freezing cold, rain, and snow.

With the unhoused population rising in Portland, I notice people becoming immune to the sight of someone in need, often avoiding eye contact and walking away when they see someone on the street.

I personally believe if you have nothing to give or even if you just don’t want to that the very least you can do is look someone in the eyes and smile and say, “hello, how are you?”

They are human beings.

I’m so used to watching people avoid others that when I saw your random act of kindness today it warmed my heart and encouraged me to share the small gesture to inspire others.

A Random Act of Kindness in Monument Square

I was walking through Monument Square in Portland and saw you walking out of Hifi Donuts with your breakfast and coffee in hand. It was a chilly day, so you opted for hot coffee.

There were two men in need sitting on a bench nearby and rather than just walk by looking the other way like everyone else around us, you marched right over to them and offered them the food and coffee.

I didn’t want to stare or make it seem like a big deal since this should be a regular occurrence but I imagine their faces lit up and they were appreciative of the gesture.

We are so used to seeing people just walk by each other without a glance in each others’ directions, so for you to go out of your way to not only speak to them but offer them your food and warm beverage warmed my heart and moved me.

Thank you.

Thank you for being selfless, thank you for doing what everyone else should be doing but fails to do. We are social creatures who rely on one another but sadly we let others down and look the other way rather than reaching out a hand.

Your small gesture today meant the world to me and I’m sure it meant the world to those you helped. Not only were they able to have the great food that Hifi has to offer but more importantly, they were seen, acknowledged, and treated like a human that deserves care and respect.

This is the type of love and generosity I want to see flow through my city.

I hope others will be more like you.

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