On my way home from work, I often see a man with a drawing of a ship or an eagle on a piece of paper asking people to buy it for the price of a meal. I am usually rushing home to take my puppy out for a walk.

What a difference between my last post and this one.  I'm heartened again, thanks in part to the commenters on my last post in which I despaired of ever effecting change.

3 cheers to Workspace, a business in gastown, who pulled together a chunk of change, bought top-quality pizza, and delivered it to the folks hanging around Pigeon Park. Not a whole bunch of talking, debating, deciding if the people were morally fit to receive an act of generousity. Just feeding some hungry people.

I have lived in Vancouver since July 12, 1998 but I never biked from Gastown to Granville Island to East Van !

Impressions:

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We did it! got the bikes. Now to blog, cycle, get fit and pass it on all in 3 weeks!

Just had the BEST experience! As part of a contest my business is running, in which contestants choose a habit to change for the month of April that will result in increased money in their savings accounts, I've given up the classic lattes, plus eating lunches out unless for business purposes. Rather than adding to my savings accounts though, I'm opting to give money to people on the street .

I nearly bumped into the old geezer when I stepped out of the elevator of my bldg. Must have been in his 80s. One shoe on, the other gone (anyone find a light tan moccasin, right foot?). Shirt half tucked in, half out under a tattererd vest. Wearing a jaunty cap. Not grubby, but definitely not from the right side of the tracks, either.

Can I help you? I asked. He happily murmered some response, and got in the elevator.

Thanks to the person who blogs here about not being a 'sidewalk observer' but being involved in what you see around you, I've been more active in a number of areas.  This morning I awoke to particularly peculiar vocalizations outside.   An overweight woman was either doing the funky chicken or off her meds, and was writhing around on the sidewalk.  She'd pull her pants half way down then up, and her arms were flailing about.  Clearly she was not in her right mind, and while not in distress per se, was rather miserable.

OK - one way to move towards my "change everything" goal of integrating those of us with money with those of us without, is for as many of both groups to know some of the basic resources available. Here is a partial list: