DRUMSTICK REDEMPTION BBQ
An ad in the Craigslist.org I put out, trying to make a dent.---
DRUMSTICK REDEMPTION BBQ
It was a long day at work. I was hot, hungry and sore from standing on my feet all day. I just wanted get a quick bucket of chicken and enjoy them with the kids before they hit the sack. I was salivating like the Pavlov'g dog as I watched a KFC employee pile on one thigh piece after another.
As I was coming out, a homeless man on a trike asked, "Sir, could you spare me a piece of chicken?" Of course, I would have given him one, on any other day, but not at that moment. All I wanted was to get home as fast as possible, get my big butt on a cushy chair, and take a huge bite out of a grilled chicken I read so much about, yet never tasted. Besides, I really didn't feel like getting my hand all greasy reaching way in there. It would mess up the handlebar of my fancy BMW motorcycle -- whatever.
It was a mistake telling my wife the story as at the table. She, a love of my life for 14 years, said something that was brutally honest. "Honey, that man could have been Jesus." What was I supposed to do after such a powerful statement? Of course, I had INTENTION of giving that man a piece of chicken. Of course, it would have taken me just 15 seconds to do the right thing. Just how much is a drumstick anyway? Money really wasn't an issue. I was simply just lazy and selfish. Whatever the situation was and how much of a hurry I was in, she was not going to let me get away with it!
That was it. There was no possible way I would hear the end of it until I made effort to do the right thing. I got back on the bike and went back to KFC, with the intent of buying him a whole meal. He was no longer there.
Weeks have gone by and I still think of that day. I drive by the restaurant once in awhile, to see if I could spot him -- no luck. I blew an opportunity of being kind when it was thrown in my face. It would have taken just 15 seconds to make a difference.
It then hit me one day. We were coming home from church on a Sunday morning. I told the wife and the kids that we are going to do something spontaneous. There are a few places in Livermore where the homeless like to hang around. One of the places happens to be only about 40 yards from KFC (see map below). We picked up a family meal bucket and a couple litters of soda from next door. I walked over to the spot and asked whoever was hanging around there if they were hungry. Duh.. I was thinking to myself -- "Do bears sh*t in the woods?" I definitely caught them by surprise. They lit right up and dug right in. I walked away and started crying. Here we were, driving a fancy SUV, where we just spent over $700 on brand new tires recently. Just starting it up would cost more than a piece of chicken. I felt bad. Yea, it was a nice gesture, trying to redeem myself with a $20 bucket, but I really didn't feel that much better. Their stomach would be satisfied for a couple of hours, but then what? They would be at the same spot again, with only an empty bucket, which would eventually fade. But at the same time, it was a start. It was just a small gesture, but heck, it WAS something, which is much better than nothing.
I told the story to my coworker the next day. He was touched and we got talking, and we came up with a plan. Why spend $25 feeding a few, when we can do something bigger and better for a few dollars more.
"Let's have a BBQ!" he suggested.
"Yea," I replied, "We can feel a lot more, and let we'll call it The Drumstick Redemption BBQ!"
So, to make long story short, our first Livermore homeless BBQ will be held.
Date: 7/12/09
Time: 1 p.m. - 'till everyone is fed
Place: 20 S L St, Livermore, CA, North parking lot. Just look for KFC and walk about 40-60 yards north.
We'll be serving hamburgers with the usual trimmings, hotdogs and soft drinks. If you want to volunteer or donate to the cause, please let us know. If you simply would like a free meal because you are hurting, you are welcome also. We don't know how many people will show up, but we'll be there, grilling as long as it takes.
As I was coming out, a homeless man on a trike asked, "Sir, could you spare me a piece of chicken?" Of course, I would have given him one, on any other day, but not at that moment. All I wanted was to get home as fast as possible, get my big butt on a cushy chair, and take a huge bite out of a grilled chicken I read so much about, yet never tasted. Besides, I really didn't feel like getting my hand all greasy reaching way in there. It would mess up the handlebar of my fancy BMW motorcycle -- whatever.
It was a mistake telling my wife the story as at the table. She, a love of my life for 14 years, said something that was brutally honest. "Honey, that man could have been Jesus." What was I supposed to do after such a powerful statement? Of course, I had INTENTION of giving that man a piece of chicken. Of course, it would have taken me just 15 seconds to do the right thing. Just how much is a drumstick anyway? Money really wasn't an issue. I was simply just lazy and selfish. Whatever the situation was and how much of a hurry I was in, she was not going to let me get away with it!
That was it. There was no possible way I would hear the end of it until I made effort to do the right thing. I got back on the bike and went back to KFC, with the intent of buying him a whole meal. He was no longer there.
Weeks have gone by and I still think of that day. I drive by the restaurant once in awhile, to see if I could spot him -- no luck. I blew an opportunity of being kind when it was thrown in my face. It would have taken just 15 seconds to make a difference.
It then hit me one day. We were coming home from church on a Sunday morning. I told the wife and the kids that we are going to do something spontaneous. There are a few places in Livermore where the homeless like to hang around. One of the places happens to be only about 40 yards from KFC (see map below). We picked up a family meal bucket and a couple litters of soda from next door. I walked over to the spot and asked whoever was hanging around there if they were hungry. Duh.. I was thinking to myself -- "Do bears sh*t in the woods?" I definitely caught them by surprise. They lit right up and dug right in. I walked away and started crying. Here we were, driving a fancy SUV, where we just spent over $700 on brand new tires recently. Just starting it up would cost more than a piece of chicken. I felt bad. Yea, it was a nice gesture, trying to redeem myself with a $20 bucket, but I really didn't feel that much better. Their stomach would be satisfied for a couple of hours, but then what? They would be at the same spot again, with only an empty bucket, which would eventually fade. But at the same time, it was a start. It was just a small gesture, but heck, it WAS something, which is much better than nothing.
I told the story to my coworker the next day. He was touched and we got talking, and we came up with a plan. Why spend $25 feeding a few, when we can do something bigger and better for a few dollars more.
"Let's have a BBQ!" he suggested.
"Yea," I replied, "We can feel a lot more, and let we'll call it The Drumstick Redemption BBQ!"
So, to make long story short, our first Livermore homeless BBQ will be held.
Date: 7/12/09
Time: 1 p.m. - 'till everyone is fed
Place: 20 S L St, Livermore, CA, North parking lot. Just look for KFC and walk about 40-60 yards north.
We'll be serving hamburgers with the usual trimmings, hotdogs and soft drinks. If you want to volunteer or donate to the cause, please let us know. If you simply would like a free meal because you are hurting, you are welcome also. We don't know how many people will show up, but we'll be there, grilling as long as it takes.
posted by Bill Voelker at
9:36 AM
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