Replate It

A couple of months ago I began seeing an old woman everyday as I stood in line on Sansome Street to catch the bus. We've all seen her before. The layers of gray clothing, a knotted scarf, frayed cuffs, men's boots, one shoe lace short. She was going through the trash, opening containers, eating food from the spoon of her fingers. I tried not to watch but there I was, watching, stomach twirling and then I hopped on the bus really quick so I could make believe I hadn't seen her.

One day I had a banana in my purse, back when we were still eating bananas, and I stepped out of line to give it to her.

"Would you like a banana?", I offered, holding it out.

The woman paused. The bus line was quiet. She considered the banana. My heart started beating, thathump, thathump. I thought she was going to say, no. "Okay, I'll take it." she said and took the banana. I was so relieved.

I repeated the scene above with the old woman a number of times. She never said yes right away but I got used to it and then I didn't see her anymore.

I think she may be the reason that I was so touched this morning though when I went to the website replate.org which was mentioned in Leah Garchik's column.

Two young men are promoting leaving leftover food generally tossed in the garbage on the tops of the trash cans instead. It's so simple. It's brilliant. Read the FAQ's on their website. I did and their outlook made me cry. They are taking the pretending out of the fact that people eat out of the trash and offering a compassionate solution. I applaud them. They made my day. Help spread the word. Replate it.