A Christmas Story of giving from Myla Jessica La Rocca:
I don’t normally like to give $ to people asking for it on the streets: #1- I don’t want to fund anyone’s bad habits; #2- having worked downtown & seeing the same people beg for $ everyday turned me off from supporting people who beg for a living. I prefer to give em food or take em to lunch (yes, I’ve taken homeless people to lunch, which has led to some very interesting conversation) so I know where my $ is going.
Today I came across a family (mom, dad, & young daughter) who held a sign asking for $ for food or rent. I felt that if they were out there asking for help on Xmas Eve, instead if preparing for upcoming festivities, they must really need it. I gave them the $20 I had in my wallet & wished them a “Merry Xmas”. I am posting this for anyone else who is in the area to also help em out. They are in San Bruno Town Ctr by the main entrance off of El Camino Real, on the Lucky’s side.
I am very thankful & fortunate for my loving family & friends, a roof over my head, food to eat, & clothes to wear. Would be nice if we could make one family’s holiday a little brighter & easier for em.
Wishing everyone a Xmas filled with love, peace & happiness! God Bless! ❄️️️
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Over 50 folks on our Facebook page LIKED this with many sharing and commenting as below:
*Priscilla Paras-Huerta You are an angel, Myla ! Thanks for reminding me once again, tis the season for giving see you after winter break at LC!
*Bonnie Tognetti What a lovely thing to do! Our saying is “give with a warm heart and a cold hand” which is what my parents taught by example.
*Hawley Pourtau to Myla Jessica La Rocca, I have know you a very long time my friend. Bless you and your adorable family. Merry Christmas!!
*James Kenneth Guaraldi God bless you
*Kathy Altizio Tetreault i saw them too – i normally don’t hand out cash but i did today after talking to him
*Jessica Dominguez That same family was in Burlingame this afternoon. And there again a few months befor
*Anita Porpoise The past two years I worked the distribution at Thanksgiving and Christmas at the fire house in SSF. At Thanksgiving over 400 families received fresh food and a turkey or 2 chickens. At Christmas over 400 families would receive fresh food and a turkey or 2 chickens and a huge bag of toys geared to how many kids and their ages. All they had to do was register proving that they were low income. Sadly some people would forget and we would have to call them to come pick it up. And this was just South City, San Bruno also did their own distribution. But I’m sorry this is one of the richest counties in the US and the cost of living is very high. The poor here get assistance. Standing in front of stores and near busy roadways with your kids is a pure gimmick and they are NOT as destitute as you want to believe.
*Judy Stone to Anita, I have volunteered for many years for the Thanksgiving and Christmas food gifting at Station 61 as a CERT member. Thank you for giving your time. I have had many opportunities to speak with Tom Carney, the firefighter who directs the distribution and staff from the county. It is my understanding that all of these families must know how to register ahead of time, have an address, and bring their paperwork with them when they pick up their food. Do you not believe it could be possible for a homeless family to have some difficulty with those demands or just fall through the cracks? I do, and personally know of people in our city who do not know how to reach out for help. Call me a sucker, but especially at this time of year, I would rather give them the benefit of doubt while at the same time let them know where they might find assistance. Good for you, Myla