This seriously breaks my heart on a daily basis

QAPmom

I agree with cranshinibon

yopeeps025

I want to offer another perspective. Going through this girl's school is the most intrusive way of simply giving her a gift. How would you feel if I went to your boss after seeing your work outfits weren't very stylish, and asked that your boss give you some new suits that I would pay for? It would be humiliating! Not only did some unknown stranger notice you, but instead of having the courage to stop you and simply show a kind gesture, they are now intruding in your work life.

Give the girl a gift card for a nearby clothing store so she can pick out some new clothes if she wants. Show some kindness directly -- that's what kindness is.

The bolded portion of your answer gives me chills. If some random person gave my pre-teen daughter a gift card, they would be getting a visit by the local police. Not a wise choice in this day of predators.

I second (or is it 3rd) in giving a donation of clothes to the school if they have a food/clothes bank. Let the guidance counselor handle the process. She/he is probably in a better position to know the story in the family (if there is one).

There are so many ways to help people in your community, but inserting yourself into the situation, when you are merely guessing at the circumstances is not helpful.

Police no. You would see me knocking at your door if it was my kid.

I guess it depends on where you live. I've lived/worked on the east and west coasts and outside of the lower 48 and think people are a little more laid back over on the west coast and in Hawaii... a little random act of kindness card that says "No reason, just something to brighten another person's day!" with a Macy's or TJ Maxx $25 gift card is nice. I think of it the same way as the people who pay your meter when it's about to run out -- not saying you're poor or that they're better than you, but just showing kindness. Plus I picture the OP as a nice woman, not some creepy old man giving a little girl candy to lure her into his van.

"Hey daddy this stranger who watches me walk to school everyday gave me a gift card." Yeah you will hear from me. Now If I know the neighbor who did this you will still hear. Just not the dark side of me.

melissay28

Thank you for those that have seen that I am concerned about the girl and am not trying to cause problems, it's nice to see that there are other people out there that care about others. I think some people are reading WAY into the things that have been said throughout the post.

Yes, I am assuming her situation, based off of being in that type of situation when I was growing up. My family was poor, my parents were divorced, I lived with grandparents at times, I wore "cheap" clothes, hand me downs & things from the thrift store. I've lived in trailer parks and houses. I always went to public schools. My parents busted their *kitten* to provide what they could for me. In no way shape or form do I feel like I am better than this girl, or her family. I have been the kid in the uncool clothes, head hung down, sitting by myself, because I didn't fit in with everyone else. There's not a thing wrong with being poor. From what I have seen in my own life the people that don't have a lot are usually the most kindhearted and genuine people that I have ever met. I was raised in the south and it was taught to me at a very young age you do things that are nice for no reason, not to get anything out of it, not for recognition, but because it is the right thing to do. I have a big heart, and probably always will.

One person replied that I am obviously bragging about sending my son to private school & the poor public school kids... not even close. Public school was never an option in mine or my husbands lives, we have been lucky enough to be able to send our son to private school. We have nothing against public schools, we do have a problem with the public schools standards in the places that we have lived. If 30-45% of the kids in the elementary school in your area were at or above grade level would you send them to that school or somewhere else, if you had the option? We are by no means rich but we sacrifice $500.00 a month for our child's education, I don't see where that makes me a bad person.

I wouldn't approach the girl because I don't know her. If someone came up to my son I would probably be freaked out, or if my son came home with new things I would definitely question it. There are so many creepers in this world that I would never approach someone else's child unless I saw that they were hurt or in danger.

Keepcalmanddontblink

Its so sweet that you want to help! I just had a lady in my store two days ago looking for some clothes for a little girl. Turns out she is her teacher, and the girls parents are having a hard time making ends meet and the girl doesn't get a lot of new clothes. I helped her pick out stuff from the clearance racks so she was able to get two outfits for her. I was just so touched that someone cared enough to do something!

I'd check with the school or maybe even ask your neighbors since they might know something. You could make up a niece or something who has some hand me downs and looks to be about her size, to avoid embarrassing anyone.

She also might just love her boots. I am a flip flops all year around kind of girl, so I get favoring one kind of shoe style.

Keepcalmanddontblink

I am not doing wash daily, Friday only

I have a family of 7, so running washing machine and dryer using up extra power and water, NO just NO.

A family of 7 and you wash once a week - geez what fun your Friday must be! And using "extra power and water" to run the machine ermmm, no - you would still be running it the same amount of times just spread over the week instead of all in one day. I have 3 in my family and still wash (full loads) 3 x a week.

I think she was meaning that washing and drying everyday, using up extra power and water was a no no, not that she used extra water and power on laundry day. And yeah, 7 people=laundry all day long! It takes me half a day to do laundry for 3, but I can't do it daily.

randomtai

Yes, I am assuming her situation,

/thread.... Don't assume, you are usually wrong.

headofphat

I think you're making a big jump from seeing an introverted teenager walking by herself to her being bullied and poor. The best thing you can do is make donations to your local Goodwill and food banks. If her family is indeed poor then places like that are there for them to get clothing cheap.

I wouldn't intervene unless you have some good evidence that the young lady is in some way being neglected or abused in some way.

You have to remember everyone is different and walk through life in different ways. You seem to have a caring heart and there are many many charitable organizations that you could volunteer for and even donate too.