Pops. Photo by me.

My senior year in high school, I had the privilege of interviewing Pops, a homeless from Rhode Island.

When I met him, Pops had been living on the streets for about three years. He was holding a sign that read, “HOMELESS: Please Help. Will Work. Thank you + GOD BLESS.”

This hole… you can’t dig yourself out of this hole. It’s almost impossible, and I accept that. If God can give me just one more day, something good may happen. You never know.

We chatted for an hour. Throughout our conversation, I was stuck by how upbeat and optimistic Pops was. As we parted ways, he turned around and shouted back at me, “Don’t give up!”

I haven’t seen him since.

Every time I see a homeless person, I think of Pops and wonder what I can do to help. I’ve considered giving people Subway gift cards, but it doesn’t feel like enough.

Kristen Jacoway has written a fantastic, short article on things you can do right now to help the homeless.

Kristen has some great ideas. Help her spread them!