Dilemma at the Soup Kitchen

I don’t know if we did the right thing.  Today, while we were putting the finishing touches on our lunch for 100 at the Soup Kitchen, a young woman with no coat and missing front tooth came into the church kitchen pleading.  We are often asked for money and say “no” whenever that happens.  Since we are offering a meal and even second helpings that many take home, we know the money goes to drugs or liquor instead.  But today’s woman of maybe 25 seemed so distraught and asked for only $7.  Claiming that she had an abusive husband, she said she needed the money for the train to Trenton where her family was waiting.  When we told her we don’t bring money, she said $4 would do it.  She had a dripping nose and was very agitated.

We offered to call the Battered Women’s shelter and to get help for her.  No she said, they were full.  We said we would call and find another safe place (there are some) again she said no.  Later, she did come for lunch and headed out quickly.  She had on a coat unlike when she cam before. In the crowd I could not ask whether she was ok.

I just checked, and the fare is $8.50. I don’t know whether we did the right thing. 

I didn’t make lunch instead a member of our team who is 84 years old cooked 10 lbs of dried beans along with 18 pounds of molded ham in slices.  Lots of our diners don’t eat ham due to religious prohibition so some took a plate of beans and rice instead.  The ladies from the wonderful Verona church sent 100 muffins, corn and blueberry, and a huge pan of coleslaw. Finally, thanks to the community foodbank (also source of the beans and ham) we had dainty mincemeat tarts.  Heated, they are a favorite of the group. 

I would be grateful for thoughts on the woman in need.