Carmen Mendez was at local fast food joint Raising Canes when she noticed a homeless lady begging nearby.
She was asking diners, in the politest way possible, if she could have their leftovers when they were finished - because she was hungry and hasn’t eaten.
Carmen explains what happened when she met the woman:
‘A couple of day's ago we went to eat late at night @raisingcanes and as we waited for our order i saw this homeless lady walk in and asking people that were throwing away there leftovers if she could have them.
‘Not one person said yes, they all ignored her and threw it away it broke my heart...I have been volunteering with the homeless now for many years... they don't repulse me or make me sick to my stomach. I hold them all with so much love.
‘So I told Fred if I see her before we are done eating I will give her my food. I looked for her as we were getting ready to leave and couldn't find her.....I felt sad knowing all the rejection she had that night searching for a warm meal. As I was gonna throw away my one leftover chicken strip and like 5 fries I heard a very quite voice ask me if I had anything left. I turned around and it was her..l gave her my food and watched her sit and eat it.....but something didn't feel right...I felt like a horrible human being feeding her my leftover chicken strip..she deserved so much more...so I bought her a whole meal..she deserved to eat a hot meal.
‘When I ordered the meal I asked the employee for a huge favor to please do not kick her out as we waited...I could already see the disgust on people's faces as she sat at the table eating the leftovers I had given her....news flash people not all homeless people smell like roses.
‘She was getting ready to get up and leave when I surprised her with this meal....the look on her face said it all...I have never felt something like this...pure, real gratitude. That hug she gave me was like a hug I had never felt....those tears she shed were felt deep in my heart...I held her tight and let her let it out.
‘I wasn't repulsed by it....I just held her. And that is a moment I will never ever forget. So next time u judge a homeless person think twice...not all of them are homeless because of a drug addiction or because they are lazy.’ (Spelling errors in quote)
Since posting the story five days ago, Carmen has received an outpouring of comments on social media, from people who want to thank her for her kindness.
One wrote: ‘So emotional and touching. Thank you for having compassion, that you for having a heart! You have no idea the impact that you made on her that day! And to all of us! You truly are a blessing.’
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