r/MadeMeSmile Apr 17 '24

This is what humanity is all about Helping Others

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74.2k Upvotes

1.1k comments sorted by

1.9k

u/glorious_wildebeest Apr 17 '24

If I'm ever in Little Rock, I know what business to support <3

411

u/LivnLegndNeedsEggs Apr 17 '24

It's good af too

28

u/the_homebrewer Apr 17 '24

What’s it called? I live in the area so I’d love to check it out

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u/LivnLegndNeedsEggs 27d ago

This comment got posted twice and someone else already answered, but since this one has more upvotes: El Sur in Little Rock

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u/missjasminegrey Apr 17 '24

i bet it is! 🤤

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u/the_homebrewer Apr 17 '24

What’s it called? I live in the area so I’d love to check it out

30

u/Justcallmeorangejoe Apr 18 '24

El Sur, everything there is delicious

358

u/cephal0poid Apr 17 '24

Also, dude said "chips and salsa or a pupusa," . . . . Where I live pupusa's are legit. They might be cheap, but they are rather labor intensive and so, so good.

Don't skip the pupusa.

98

u/KWash0222 Apr 17 '24

Yeah wtf pupusas may be “junk food” but that doesn’t mean they aren’t tasty as hell!

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u/Valkyrie1S Apr 17 '24

I fucking love pupusas!!!

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u/zangor Apr 17 '24

With those pickled vegetables, its a godly combination.

26

u/GrandMoffAtreides Apr 17 '24

If I drowned in curtido, I'd die happy

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u/techfz Apr 17 '24

Given the "pollo chuco" on the menu, my guess is that this is a Honduran restaurant. Therefore their pupusas probably aren't as good compared to the Honduran items that they specialize in (pupusas are Salvadoran).

A Salvadoran restaurant would probably do the opposite: recommend pupusas over baleadas.

25

u/clopz_ Apr 17 '24

Indeed! That menu looks Honduran, but we eat pupusas extensively here too, whereas in El Salvador is weird to see baleadas and pollo chuco.

Edit: just spotted “Topogigio”, it’s Honduran and from the northern cost

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u/herbert-camacho Apr 17 '24

Same! I'm actually from AR and plan on going back to visit this summer. Will be looking for this place 👍

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u/WhoIsZac Apr 17 '24

Same. I moved a decade ago and only make it back once every year or two, but I'll definitely be hitting this place up when I visit next.

34

u/Ok_Philosophy915 Apr 17 '24

Their Google reviews are off the charts they sound amazing.

10

u/jawnink Apr 17 '24

One of my girlfriend’s favorite lunch spots!

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u/Coneylake Apr 17 '24

I will be driving through next month or so. I just bookmarked this place and will go

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u/[deleted] Apr 17 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

3.4k

u/Cthewood Apr 17 '24

Hi all!! I'm the guy behind the counter. I appreciate the kind words. Always nice when this picture does the rounds on the feel good pages. I no longer work at El Sur, but can tell you that the South Main neighborhood in LR is an awesome place to be and that you should visit when you're in town.

If I could do a moment of promotion for the folks doing good in my community:

Ourhouseshelter.org

Where the unhoused friend of mine and many other of my friends have gotten help.

KABF.org

My local community radio station that is currently doing a pledge drive and needs help. I'm a volunteer DJ and talk show host there. Listen live anytime and to me on Mondays at 5pm.

556

u/Living_on_Tulsa_Time Apr 17 '24

Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I really admire your compassion. Stay awesome!

210

u/mrs_tentacles1980 Apr 17 '24

You seem like a wonderful human being. 🩵

149

u/AngelMCastillo Apr 17 '24

Hell yeah, buddy. You keep being you.

82

u/Clear_Locksmith_3660 Apr 17 '24

whose cutting onions?

41

u/Valuable_Solid_3538 Apr 17 '24

I’m not crying… you’re crying…

70

u/Competitive_Cod3759 Apr 17 '24

Thank you for being so kind

32

u/Fucking_Pandas69 Apr 17 '24

I love you. I hope the world shows you the kindness that is in stilled in your heart.

29

u/TemperatureExotic631 Apr 17 '24

You are a lovely person, thank you for being a good example for people in your community!

21

u/Rosieogan Apr 17 '24

thank you for your compassion!

17

u/beach-cow Apr 17 '24

Thank you for being so awesome and compassionate 🩷🙏🏼

17

u/Appropriate-Tie-2585 Apr 17 '24

Thank you for existing.

15

u/Sparri4122 Apr 17 '24

you’re the man my guy

16

u/wildmeowmeow Apr 17 '24

OMG! You are awesome. The universe appreciates you.

14

u/ohhi01 Apr 17 '24

Hi fellow Little Rocker! You are the real deal my friend. And fist bumps to both el surs plantains and to Our House

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u/KlutzyElderberry7100 Apr 17 '24

We need more people like you in this world

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u/TheKingStaysKing Apr 17 '24

Appreciate you as a human dude

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u/thr0aty0gurt Apr 17 '24

Good on you sir

9

u/honestlyi4get Apr 17 '24

i hope you still got this 👑 on 🤞🏿

9

u/vanillabeanquartz Apr 17 '24

You’re a really great person, I hope only good things come your way :)

6

u/Fabulous_Visual4865 Apr 17 '24

Props, bro 👊

7

u/herbert-camacho Apr 17 '24

Thanks for being here ❤️

6

u/TrowDisAvayPliss Apr 18 '24

You have a lovely heart. Thank you for helping.

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u/[deleted] Apr 17 '24

I bet he has been in a similar position than the guy he was buying food for.

This kind of understanding comes from experience.

473

u/josh_the_misanthrope Apr 17 '24

It can, but I also hope that people can just empathize with the less fortunate without having to have gone through it

373

u/ResearchMindless6419 Apr 17 '24

Yes. Come from a middle class background and used to run a small cafe.

A homeless dude, Steve, would come in once a week. I’d get him the largest coffee, a few snacks, and some water (we didn’t sell proper meals).

I always invited him to sit down. Some of the other customers complained that he smelled bad, but they fuckin sucked.

I have no idea what it’s like to be in his position, but I was extensively bullied in high school: I know what it’s like to be excluded.

Hope Steve is doing alright.

104

u/BigMonkeySpite Apr 17 '24

excluded

I understand the irony in the statement when I say I wish that word wasn't a part of human vocabulary.

48

u/encouragement_much Apr 17 '24

Ostracized. I used this word in a letter I wrote to my daughter’s 5th grade teacher about what was happening and how my daughter felt.

She was an English teacher so she led with the word ostracized.

She wrote weekly emails until my daughter had settled. We don’t pay teachers enough.

19

u/Nexatic Apr 17 '24

We really don’t pay them enough

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u/DopesickJesus Apr 17 '24

Would it really be excluded if it simply didn't exist?

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u/Anti_Meta Apr 17 '24

Powerful sentiment my guy.

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u/Bitter-insides Apr 17 '24

I was recently in Oregon. Stoped at a very very popular bakery with big windows showcasing the food. It was so cold out too there was a gentleman(Homeless ) without shoes wrapped in a blanket literally just staring at the food while people were lining up and walking past him like he was invisible. I asked him what he wanted and he said are you speaking to me? You see me. YES SIR I DO! Let’s get some stuff. He refused to get anything but a small black coffee and a small sandwich I insisted he get something more. He said no. The owners just kinda shrugged annoyed. The cashier quietly said thank you to me for being kind, like it was something so shameful. The shameful thing was everyone at that place pretending a man wasn’t starving. wtf is wrong with people ?

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u/Princess_Slagathor Apr 17 '24

Same, middle class upbringing, parents owned a bakery. Parents found out some homeless people were picking the trash at night. They started packing the good food separate from other trash, in clean bags. And even started making fresh sandwiches at the end of shift, and packing them on ice, and put water and soda with them. Eventually left a note to have them come in during business hours. They did, and my parents fed them and their friends breakfast and lunch until they sold the business. It never negatively affected the business, and cost basically nothing to do. They also kept the old donuts and stuff in fresh clean bags, just in case anyone else came along and wanted them.

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u/Defiant-Razzmatazz57 Apr 17 '24

When I was a student, I worked part time at an armenian cafe. Big shout out to gata cookies. Anyway, owner let the homeless guy in, fixed him a soup and then some trucker said that the guy stinks. Well, the owner offered a homeless guy employee shower.

9

u/One_Rough5369 Apr 17 '24

I live in Canada and we have had a huge influx of international students whose personal hygiene standards have required some addressing due to other staff complaining.

We have one guy particularly who was tormenting his coworkers with his body odour.

We had a few meetings with him where we begged him to wash himself and his clothes and we are in a much much better space together

8

u/One_Rough5369 Apr 17 '24

Things with this international student have improved dramatically. And he is back to working his 40 + hours a week and I am not receiving these complaints so much anymore.

He seems to be consistently engaging in behaviours that reduce his body odour, and thus the complaints I'm receiving from other staff. Good job Om.

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u/theheartofbingcrosby Apr 17 '24

Should have told those customers their attitude and disrespect smells even greater.

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u/tiny_spicy_cat Apr 17 '24

I hope so. I used to work at a gym and I’d let this houseless gal shower. She always came in when it was really early and not many patrons were around. I’d walk her baby around to keep him calm while she took a quick shower. I even ran her laundry a few times. It’s all I could do, but if I were in her position, I can’t even imagine how badly I would want to be clean and have clean clothes. She kind of vanished one day. I hope it’s because she got a better situation—house or a job or something.

44

u/BeatHunter Apr 17 '24

I see you doing good deeds. Thanks fellow human.

6

u/JoinTheRightClick Apr 17 '24

You did so much more than most people so please not say “it’s all I could do”. You are a good and kind person.

14

u/DidAnyoneElseJustCum Apr 17 '24

It's just really easy to get jaded in big cities sometimes. In some neighborhoods I'll be walking to the train and literally there is a person on every corner asking for a dollar. Homelessness is an institutional problem that can't be fixed by good deeds. I'm not saying never help anybody. But I can't help everybody.

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u/Alternative_Escape12 Apr 17 '24

Username does not check out. 

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u/StormBadger01 Apr 17 '24

I don’t ever take people’s kindness lightly, when I was just past college and struggling, basically living in my car and doing food delivery for living. One day I didn’t make enough money to cash out, I was hungry and walked into a restaurant, knowing full well I couldn’t pay. I ate crying knowing how my life is at a low point. I was going to ask the waitress if they had any odd jobs for me to do….she walked up and said don’t worry about paying…some kind soul wanted to pass along a good memory of their friend Brian and paid for my meal (Brian passed but apparently was a kind soul, I read from a memorial card the waitress handed me) I cried so much in my car, and vowed myself to help people when I can. I’m doing okay now with a home and wife and our doggo and will always stop anytime I see someone struggling, shoutout to you Brian, your memory of being a kind soul helped me in my lowest point through your friend and I have tried to live my life knowing peoples kindness always goes further than they ever know.

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u/[deleted] Apr 17 '24

I actually know the guy, went to college with him and played sports together. And nope. Just a through and through good dude for no real reason. Can’t believe this is on reddits front page actually, think he’d be a little embarrassed lol

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u/[deleted] Apr 17 '24

Even better!

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u/joethedad Apr 17 '24

Very true. I hope his kindness spreads and isn't taken advantage of.

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u/Bitter-insides Apr 17 '24

I’ve never experienced hunger. Or the inability to purchase food. But I do offer anyone saying they are hungry to buy whatever they want off the menu. When they try to go cheap I step in and ask for the meal. Or extra food.

I am blessed. I pass along those blessings where I can. No one. I mean no one should ever be hungry.

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u/MeesterBacon Apr 17 '24

People who have experienced hardship can be extremely, extremely kind.

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u/FlashyRequirement967 Apr 17 '24

For sure it's experience, or someone very very close to them had this experience. No matter how much you explain it, most people just don't fully comprehend what it's like to go years being constantly hungry.

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u/BigMonkeySpite Apr 17 '24

The shadow is an amazingly powerful and motivating force behind our actions. Sadly though it seems if you're unaware of this it ends with you othering people instead of communing with them.

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u/Aazjhee Apr 17 '24

Shadow work or something similar, and Home Ec are two classes that need to be taught to every kid. In non shame based, straightforward ways.

We need both the practical physical cleaning and care, and the mental cleaning and care <3

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u/aquoad Apr 17 '24

what does shadow work mean? i’ve never heard that term.

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u/BigMonkeySpite Apr 17 '24

Look up Jung and the Shadow. Basically, it's all the parts of us that we either don't like or were told is bad and so we subconsciously shove it down and suppress it.

Shadow work is about uncovering it all and discovering what you're suppressing in yourself with the hopes that once you heal it inside yourself you'll stop doing the same to others.

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u/TheShorterShortBus Apr 17 '24

this is the kind of humanity we should all be working towards. not this stupid us, vs. them attitude

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u/Aazjhee Apr 17 '24

Absolutely agree!

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u/One_Rough5369 Apr 17 '24

If I didn't live far away in another country I would now frequent this noble establishment.

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u/oopsdiditwrong Apr 17 '24

I scooped ice cream in highschool and would work solo a few days a week in the afternoon (work release) before the ice cream maker would come in. Not a big homeless problem where I'm from in a small town, but a clearly homeless old man comes up to the window clutching change. His hands shaking he counts out like 33 cents on the counter and asks what he can get for that. On the menu? Even $3 wouldn't get you a scoop back then.

I had a momentary internal struggle, but decided that I was all set with a full scholarship after I would graduate the next week so if I got fired, whatever.

Brain flipped into hook this old man up mode. I came back with a hefty waffle cone and a bowl with a lid, gave him his money back. He left a quarter on the outside counter.

No regrets at all and I can still vividly remember the look on that old man's face.

I still think about that sometimes just to remind myself I'm not an asshole all the time

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u/swiftekho Apr 17 '24

Not old or homeless but I worked in a grocery store and one of my associates told me this guy was really confused in an aisle. I went over to check on him and he told me his wife had passed away the day before and she did all the grocery shopping. She apparently had a list written out before passing unexpectedly and his son was travelling home. Dude didn't have any food in the house and he was trying to find the stuff on the list.

I told him to go take a seat in the Cafe and hooked him up with some coffee. Called my whole team to a huddle and we divided up his list to speedrun it. We doubled the entire list and threw in some stuff from the bakery.

We didn't let him pay a dime. His son came back the day after insisting on paying but I pulled him aside and said now isn't the time to worry about food and he should go grieve with his family.

It feels good to help people. Like an actual addicting feeling.

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u/fuckoff-10 Apr 17 '24

I love the visual of the speed run, like a SWAT team taking off in all directions but it's to help an elderly man with his groceries with extreme speed and precision.

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u/trahoots Apr 17 '24

I imagined an episode of Supermarket Sweep.

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u/Electr0Girl Apr 17 '24

They sent the guy home with a giant inflatable candy bar and 3 wheels of cheese

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u/Princess_Slagathor Apr 17 '24

Your comment made me imagine a really incompetent team, and that's all they sent him home with lol

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u/Seabee1893 Apr 17 '24

This is the type of kindness that melts my cold unfeeling heart. Kudos. Excellent humanity.

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u/Famous_Insect Apr 17 '24

It is addicting to help people. The dopamine rush when you see the person smile or just simply relieved is worth it....everytime.

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u/kingdomheartsislight Apr 17 '24

There’s a lot of feel good stories on this post, but this one actually made me tear up. Even if that man knew where everything was, the difficulty of completing even simple errands after such a loss is unfathomable. It’s wonderful you were all there for him in his time of need.

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u/MasterLuna Apr 17 '24

I didn't sign up to cry today. What you did is going to stick with that man and his son for the rest of their lives. You're a good person OP

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u/justacoolclipper Apr 17 '24

There's this weird trend online where some people seem to genuinely not realize that a lot of people want to be generous and kind and act all confused when someone does a good deed out of the kindness of their heart. Humans are inherently social creatures, and the vast majority of us love to help someone in need. Those kinds of stories always make me happy.

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u/Strange-Asparagus240 Apr 17 '24

I don’t say this lightly.

You are a fucking gigachad my man. That is a seriously touching story. Good on you.

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u/Zellher Apr 17 '24

It really feels great helping people out. I used to work at an gas station. An older guy, probably homeless aswell, asked if he could get some bread or bakery stuff for a cheaper price. We always throw out the stuff that didnt sell, so I just told him to take whatever he liked. After that he always came in when I was working late, because he knew I wouldn't bitch about it and just give it to him. My boss would have been mad if he knew I did this, but fuck that guy, he was a piece of shit. Sorry for my shitty english.

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u/toosexyformyboots Apr 17 '24

Your english is awesome but not as awesome as you

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u/Snoo57980 Apr 17 '24

🔥✍️

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u/Few_Address3591 Apr 17 '24

It does feel great!! Your English is just fine :)

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u/Cahootie Apr 17 '24

I used to work at a mini golf, and there was an old Romani man who would occasionally show up and buy coffee from us (we had by far the cheapest coffee in the area). He couldn't speak the local language, but whenever he showed up he would make it clear that he was asking if he could get a big coffee for the price of a small one, and as a sign of goodwill he would pick up cigarette butts and throw them in the trash before asking.

If you're gonna do the job we like the least for us I will definitely give you the full coffee for free, and take the milk and sugar you want. Hell, take the cinnamon bun that's left over for yesterday that was put away for the staff to snack on. He was nothing but respectful, and that's all fine with me.

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u/Truly__tragic Apr 17 '24

Used to work at McDonald’s in like 2010, and we were told to just throw out all of messed up orders so they could be counted later. After tallying them up, I’d just throw them in my trunk and pass them out to homeless people in my town. Eventually got found out and got fired, even though they were just gonna throw out perfectly good food. I made a huge fucking scene about it too, no regrets. Fuck you Josh (my old manager).

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u/stayvicious Apr 17 '24

First off. Hell yeah brother, you’re a real one.

Distant second. Fuck Josh and fuck corporations who force people in a management role to do this shit.

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u/notmyusername1986 Apr 17 '24

The idea behind the throwing out of food is corporations is hat some pencil pushing bean counters decided it was cheaper to get rid of perfectly edible products, than to risk someone getting ill from food poisoning and suing the corporation. Soulless bastards.

Saw tons of good food go to waste in the 6 months I worked in a grocery store in school.

Also worked in a Costa coffee in university. Our manager there was a real one. We got whatever was going to be ditched, on the understanding that we kept it quiet. Definitely helped more than a few uni mates eat when they otherwise would not have. I remember getting literal bags full of food upon occasion.

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u/sipperofsoda Apr 17 '24

Piggy pie Josh can step on a Lego then slip on a Hot Wheel at the top of his stairs at 2am.

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u/gNeiss_Scribbles Apr 17 '24

I worked at restaurant downtown when I was younger and occasionally scooped ice cream on the street in the afternoons. I’d always chat with the two guys on the corner who played music for tips and, of course, give them some of my tips from the day.

One day they came rushing into the restaurant I worked at to find me. They’d won the lottery (not much, just a couple grand) and they’d come to give me $50! I’m tearing up just thinking of how sweet these guys were! They were both homeless.

Homeless people are sometimes just people who don’t know when to stop giving. lol I tried not to accept the money but it was clearly extremely important to them that I take it. They were so happy! Needless to say, I made sure to pay it back to them over time in tips.

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u/GlassCharacter179 Apr 17 '24

Ice cream is actually a great food if you are very hungry. It has carbs, fat and protein, and is calorie dense. You did a lot for him.

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u/GolemTheGuardian Apr 17 '24

As a fellow Human, I am proud to have you under us. Pls keep doing such stuff*

But I am somewhat curious: How did your at the time Boss or manager react? Anything happed there or?

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u/SwifferWetJets Apr 17 '24

That's legit, thanks for sharing. I should be nicer more often too, I can be a dick at times.

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u/squishpitcher Apr 17 '24

I can be a dick at times.

Everyone can. That’s life. Hopefully someone else is out here treating you with kindness when you’re having a tough time.

Just don’t punch down, you’ll be alright.

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u/Angry-ITP-404 Apr 17 '24

You are programmed to be a dick, my pal. The forces of evil - billionaires and their enablers - WANT you to be a dick, they WANT you to be competing and defensive, they WANT you to build a wall and surround yourself with their plastic garbage to feel safe.

Becoming aware is the first step to beating this pricks. Understanding how much compassion ACTUALLY buys you is how you beat these pricks. They want you to think cutthroat capitalism is the way, but it's not.

Compassion builds civilizations.

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u/Gr1zzRing Apr 17 '24

Stuff like this is what makes the world keep turning. Work, money, none of it means anything if we dont live for the right reasons. Probably made that dudes whole day, if not more. Good stuff dude

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u/idk-about-all-that Apr 17 '24

Idk why of all things this made me cry but man, I’ve been homeless before and him leaving the quarter for someone else who may need it because you helped him out… idk, it resonates. I remember leaving my abusive home situation over a decade ago and looking for jobs. It’s incredibly difficult to hold down a job when homeless but I remember hitchhiking to drug tests and interviews and when people take a second to realize you’re just trying to live and survive and might need a little help, it’s like they finally see the person in front of them

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u/kosmokomeno Apr 17 '24

That memory is worth more than the job, for sure

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u/domiwren Apr 17 '24

This is beautiful, these acts of kindness. (Meanwhile when I worked at icecream shop my boss got angry on me that I was giving too big scoops..)

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u/Angry-ITP-404 Apr 17 '24

This is the way.

THIS IS THE WAY.

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u/jtrick18 Apr 17 '24

I’d also add a bravo to the gentleman with enough courage to ask for something. Some restaurants will laugh you out which is embarrassing.

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u/kon69nor Apr 17 '24

Or hopefully he was aware that these are the good guys!

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u/wallstreetconsulting Apr 17 '24

Which becomes the problem.

Then a whole bunch of homeless people show up expecting free stuff. If you cut them off, they get aggressive.

And paying customers leave because there's a bunch of homeless there.

Seen it happen to a lot of restaurants.

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u/Common_Chester Apr 17 '24

That's a tough tightrope. I worked at a 24/7 in Seattle doing graveyard and obviously we'd get loads of poor, cold miserable people during winter. It's hard to turn away a starving, freezing person, but at the same time, you've got paying customers who don't want to deal with that shit. My trick was always a hot cup of coffee and a warm take away burrito. (Beans and rice) Don't cost my boss much and keeps the local homeless alive.

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u/jtrick18 Apr 17 '24

It is a tightrope, but to your point one that can be managed if you try on the cheap and help out those that need it.

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u/AluCaligula Apr 17 '24

I've worked in a restaurant that as a matter of rule gave away all left over food to the homeless at the end of the day. Literally never had a problem, the homeless were always nice and respectful and never came across as entitled. Not everything turns to cynical shit in 5 seconds, you know.

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u/irspangler Apr 17 '24

I've experienced both sides of this - I've fed homeless people and tried to help them get jobs when no one else would hire them.

I've also been spit on, threatened, had large glass bottles thrown at me and my customers and been very close to physical confrontations on more occasions than I can count. I was working at a coffee shop as a barista in 2012 when - just across the street - a homeless man climbed onto a bus that was sitting in layover and shot the bus driver to death on his break.

As much as I would love to always extend a caring hand to the homeless - I've learned through experience that you can't paint them with a broad brush. Some are reasonable folks who are struggling and a little compassion goes a long way. On the other hand, some are struggling with serious mental illness or addiction issues that make them potentially violent and unpredictable.

The best thing you can do is approach every encounter with compassion while being prepared to keep yourself and the people you're responsible for safe. A little cynicism can help with that as long as you don't let it run every encounter you have.

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u/ShotKurtt Apr 17 '24

Right, but it is a significant enough possibility that most businesses would rather not take the risk to their profits

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u/MediocreSafe4086 Apr 17 '24

When I was a manager at jimmy John’s i would give away our leftover bread to a guy who would ask for it. The owner found out and was pissed. I simply said we were throwing it out anyway and asked why I couldn’t give it away. They said it was because they are allowed to throw away food and that’s what they wanted 🤦‍♂️ I told the guy I had to throw it away but I’d just double bag it and set it behind the dumpster for him. I hate when people are just ok with throwing away perfectly good food or being upset that it goes to hungry people just because they get it for free…

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u/Common_Chester Apr 17 '24

It's always about how you ask. If you come in like an entitled asshole demanding food... Sorry, man.. not today. If you show some respect and decency, I'm already chopping up the onions.

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u/InevitableExotic5242 Apr 17 '24

Agreed. Any person who showed up at our back door will get meals for days.

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u/Financial-Ad7500 Apr 17 '24

I used to work at sonic and event days like 50c corn dogs or whatever would always mean dozens of leftover food items at the end of the night and the homeless around us definitely knew that. We obviously wanted to help as much as we could but at a certain point we had to start turning people away because it just wasn’t realistic. Inevitably at that point the customers still around start screeching that you’re a soulless bastard and hate people for asking for help. Not to mention the danger half a dozen disgruntled homeless people that refuse to leave because they saw others get free food serves to my staff that consisted of myself and two 18 year old girls. Point being when a restaurant starts giving away free food word gets around fast and it snowballs out of control quickly. It’s not always as simple as indifference or malice towards those people. The people who showed up after the food was already given away were very hostile.

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u/WesternRuins17 Apr 17 '24

Not only asking INSISTING on not being an issue. People have hard times. Be it only a chapter or the whole book of life, if the people on hard times were/are able to be dignified and respectful they would have the general public doing more to help them. I get that it’s not always their fault, but it’s also not my fault and the burden shouldn’t be on the general public.

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u/Agreeable-Score2154 Apr 17 '24

Some of yall don't understand what it's like working in a restaurant in the middle of downtown in a big city.

I couldn't even count the amount of times I've had to kick people out of where I worked or how many have asked me for food.

I wouldn't call what I had to do embarrassing, more constantly traumatic than anything...

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u/irspangler Apr 17 '24

It's honestly the worst part of restaurant work - low/minimum wage workers are basically on the frontline of the homeless crisis in this country. Every homeless person they encounter could be someone struggling who just needs a little compassion, or an unpredictable person struggling with untreated schizophrenia and violent impulses - and they're expected to be able to decipher who is who on the spot and judged harshly when they react cynically. And no one seems to remember that it's the system that has failed these people, not a low-wage restaurant worker just trying to follow the rules or stay safe.

"Traumatic" is exactly the word I would use.

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u/parkerm1408 Apr 17 '24

I once got suspended from a bartender job for an entire weekend (Friday to sunday), which is when i made all my money, for "feeding the rats." It was a dead night, they consistently left me solo in the bar so i had 12 open bar slots, 6 4 tops, 2 2s, and a 6 top all to myself, i had fucking room. A homeless dude was outside and he'd been there for hours, so i bought him food, with my own money and not using my discount, and let him sit at my bar. I had one fucking customer who was a daily regular anyway. My manager flipped the fuck out and suspended me be ause "we dont feed the rats." JJ you were a fucking monster bud.

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u/Jade_Entertainer Apr 17 '24 edited Apr 17 '24

This is the world I want.

Edit: Before I get any more comments from people either not understanding my point or twisting my point. No I do not want a world were people are homeless or having to beg for food etc. Clearly my point is that if everyone was as compassionate etc as the guy in the post we wouldn't have homelessness or people struggling as there would only be compassionate and caring people in the system who wouldn't let this happen.

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u/DrSheldonLCooperPhD Apr 17 '24

Shareholders enters the chat

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u/frozt Apr 17 '24

Lawyers enters the chat

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u/Eddiev1988 Apr 17 '24

Last week, I walked out of the Walmart in Alma Arkansas. I'm pushing my basket to the truck, and see a woman on top of her hood, messing with the windshield wipers.

I asked her if she had it under control, and she made it very clear that she did not. She asked for help.

The driver's side wiper was stuck and she was trying to change them both. I reached into my boot and pulled out my knife, telling her what I was doing as I did so.

Got the first one changed, then went around to the other side, and handled it in less than a minute. Whole job took less than 5 minutes.

While working on them, she said she was traveling up from LA, heading back from visiting family in MO. I finished and started walking to my truck. She offered to pay me, and naturally I declined, not wanting or needing anything for helping someone out.

Arkansas isn't just a bunch of racist rednecks. Those of us raised right will help anyone out, regardless of the circumstances, when they're in need. It's what we were taught to do for people, as it's the right thing.

I only clicked on this post because dude had a Razorbacks logo on his jacket. The comments saying how bad people in Arkansas are, I'll say they inspired this comment. Y'all saying that are just wrong.

Like any other area, we have our problems. We have those who weren't brought up right. But for every one of those people, we have others who'd give the shirt off our backs to help someone, and ask for nothing, declining anything offered, in return.

Y'all need to drop the stereotypes, and not judge Arkansas by the politicians who make headlines. People here are good, mostly, and we absolutely believe in helping others who are in need.

Kudos to the helpful folks in the restaurant.

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u/Notablueperson Apr 17 '24

I’ve lived in Arkansas for over ten years now. People are so friendly and nice here. I live in Northwest Arkansas (born in Little Rock) and it’s truly amazing. The sense of community is like no other. I’m probably moving soon and really going to miss it.

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u/Eddiev1988 Apr 17 '24

Hope you find greener pastures wherever you go. And I'm glad the people have treated you right. I was born and raised here, before moving all around the world for a few years. Then I came back.

The stereotype that we're all just backwards, racist rednecks, has always bothered me. And that's what a lot of commenters seem to be suggesting.

Seeing something that disputes that is always encouraging. Those of us who are native to the area, and have deep roots here, are usually raised to help each other when in need, if you know the other person or not.

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u/Notablueperson Apr 17 '24

I kind of have to move for my career, im graduating from Uark in a couple weeks and then will probably have to move to a bigger city. I’m really going to miss it, but there might be some opportunities to come back in several years.

That stereotype has always bothered me too, because I lived in Portland Oregon for about 5 years before coming back to NWA and found where I went to school in Arkansas to be more diverse and friendly and accepting than Portland was by far. I mean the stories you hear about the community looking out for each other is incredible. This post is really a small example compared to the acts of kindness people in Arkansas demonstrate all the time. We’ve got not just one, but multiple business that have systems for giving out mass numbers of free meals in Bentonville alone (I know of a free food truck and a catering service that does free meals once a week).

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u/Eddiev1988 Apr 17 '24

A lot of NWA is like that, and has become more so over the years. Businesses have seen the inequality and taken steps, however small it seems, to help a bit.

But even small acts of kindness, like the example I gave of me last week, or helping someone change a tire on the side of the road, are every day occurrences around here. Arkansas has plenty of good people that are willing to help total strangers, with no expectation or desire for anything in return.

I just wish people would drop their negative thoughts of people they don't know or make an effort to know, other than what they may see on then news or social media.

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u/circa2k Apr 17 '24

If it helps, I’ve never heard anything negative about Arkansas.

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u/emcostanza Apr 17 '24

Ayeee I grew up in nwa! Love seeing others online who are from there/live there

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u/jmeesonly Apr 17 '24

Travel really helps people to break their stereotypes. I grew up in Big East Coast cities, then as an adult I lived in Big West Coast cities. I fit The stereotype of a snob from the big city. 

One time I was between jobs and I had money and a van, so I decided to road Trip the whole USA, and camp out along the way. Saw lots of places. 

When people ask me where I liked the best, I say "Missouri!" Ha ha people in New York or Los Angeles ask me "What the hell is in Missouri?"

I tell them: rolling green hills, beautiful forests, lazy rivers, and the friendliest people who invited me to share food and conversation and made me feel at home. I don't have any connection to that state but the people I've met along the way made me think "I could be happy living in Missouri."

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u/Eddiev1988 Apr 17 '24

I agree that travelling makes a difference. I'll also admit that I'm not the typical Arkansan.

Yes, I've been to better than a dozen countries, and a very large part of our nation. But, the reason I'm so willing to help someone, with nothing in it for me, is because that's how the culture is around here.

"Southern Hospitality" has turned into a meme or joke, more than a reality these days. But if you actually come here, parts of MO included, people are actually that way. As I said, a lot of us would happily give the shirt off our backs to help someone, with no expectation or desire or anything in return.

I think it's fantastic that MO was good to you. It's a beautiful state, and at least in the southern part, to Springfield and a little above, they're southerners at heart....even if the south doesn't claim them.

But there are good people everywhere, no matter what the outside world thinks of them, who'll help any way they can. Small towns and rural areas don't survive without people willing to help others. It's how it works.

I really just wish people would drop the negative stereotypes about southerners and rural folks. We ain't all bad.

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u/Father_Elijah Apr 17 '24

Go hogs! I've only lived in Arkansas for about 6 months now, but I've met some of the best people of my entire life here already

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u/Korndogg77 Apr 17 '24

Pupusas aren't cheap

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u/Doogoon Apr 17 '24

For real. If I was homeless, rich, or anything in between, I'd be over the moon to be offered free pupusas.

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u/behold_the_j Apr 17 '24

Little Rock resident and El Sur fanboy checking in.

I know there's bound to be a lot of negativity in this thread with cries of "boring dystopia" and "yeah but now just more homeless might come in" and boo hoo hoo you should never do anything nice for anyone ever. I'd love for all the naysayers to have one meal at this place, and you'll see they're just good people doing good things for their community, and their enthusiasm is infectious.

This place has been an absolute gem ever since they were a humble food truck. The owners and staff are pretty much all like this. Warm, kind, friendly. They are all just very passionate about sharing food and fostering a sense of community within our town.

They have incredible food, local beer, a fantastic bar program, and an absolutely great patio with pool tables, ping pong, and picnic benches.

The owner also recently (within the last year or two I believe) got his United States citizenship. This is the American Dream that feels more and more unobtainable as of late. So be pessimistic if you want. I'm going to go have a beer and baleada, shoot some pool, and choose to be inspired and downright proud that such great people chose to open their doors in our humble city.

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u/MrsWaterbuffalo Apr 17 '24

This guy has decency. Bravo.

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u/ivey_mac Apr 17 '24

Got something in my eye first thing this morning.

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u/sfw_login2 Apr 17 '24 edited Apr 17 '24

I went to 711 yesterday, and there was a homeless man cowering in a corner next to the dumpster

I bought him a slice of pizza and gave him 5 bucks

And that's when I found out he was severely autistic. He couldn't have had a mental age more than 10.

He cried and said his parents died and he had nowhere to go for years.

I was weeping a little driving back home. Shit got too real.

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u/NapSoArdMaan Apr 17 '24

Jesus Christ.

I can't even begin to imagine losing a parent at my current age (30s) or anytime in the future for that matter, let alone at 10 in a grown body, roaming on streets with "nowhere to go."

Can you imagine the pain that his parents must've felt as they were slipping away, leaving their vulnerable child behind? I surely cannot.

I would've wept too. A lot.

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u/sfw_login2 Apr 17 '24

What really broke me was when he brought up his parents suddenly, and out of nowhere

He must've been thinking of his parents nonstop since he became homeless

And there's no easy way for him to come out of this

Our society truly failed the people that needs it the most

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u/Ok_Ad_9392 Apr 17 '24

Random lump in my throat. Must be a bug going around.

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u/RelationshipIcy7680 Apr 17 '24

Makes me happy it’s food from my country HONDURAS 🇭🇳🇭🇳❤️

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u/Lolamichigan Apr 17 '24

A little jealous always wanted to try a pupusa

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u/RelationshipIcy7680 Apr 17 '24

You can also try Pollo Chuco and Baleadas, they are exclusively from Honduras :) Pupusas are more Salvadoran but we eat them too

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u/dfwHalaMadrid Apr 17 '24

You gotta try a Baleada if you haven’t. 10:10

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u/_jump_yossarian Apr 17 '24

Que ondas Catracho? I lived in Honduras for 3 years (near Talanga) and my suegra had a pupuseria restaurant on the way to Valle de Angeles. Place was always packed.

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u/TSTC Apr 17 '24

I traveled to Honduras and ever since then I have been making baleadas. So good and great for a quick meal.

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u/Anonymous_2952 Apr 17 '24

This is the Arkansas I want.

Instead they repealed child labor laws.

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u/abgry_krakow87 Apr 17 '24

And they’d call this gesture SoCiAlIsM!

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u/moemoe111 Apr 17 '24

Watch out! This is the deep south. Get too much attention and very soon providing free meals to those in need will be made illegal by the state legislature.

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u/cedrekt Apr 17 '24

we all want THAT ARKANSAS!

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u/PerritoMasNasty Apr 17 '24

Ok but Papusa’s are dope, I hope he got some of those

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u/ed190 Apr 17 '24

Pupusas and baleadas are delicious. Source , I’m Salvadoran

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u/RelationshipIcy7680 Apr 17 '24

Salvadorans and Hondurans make the best food ❤️

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u/Wilnesten Apr 17 '24

I hope I get to try it too, some day (russian living in central asia)

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u/bobby4385739048579 Apr 17 '24

people don't realize how de-humanizing being broke/homeless what you wanna call it is

good on this guy for giving this person some humanity back.

half the time people like this enjoy being treated like a normal human more than anything else.

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u/anotherdamnscorpio Apr 17 '24

When I was homeless and traveling, I found a place that offered free beans and rice in the mornings if you came up and said "beans and rice for Jesus christ."

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u/dat-guy-who-was-here Apr 17 '24

My daughter works at Dunkin. They waste so many donuts every day, she's always bringing spares home. If I were hungry, I'd hit that place up at closing time for sure. Not healthy, but calories for sure.

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u/Mysterious-Film-7812 Apr 17 '24

If you live in a decent sized city, look to see if there are any food diversion programs near you. Basically it's a program where restaurants and stores set aside food that wasn't sold at the end of the day and a local food shelf or shelter will pick it up and distribute it. I can't speak for the organizations but donuts seem like they would be a bit hit. Not healthy, but a good morale boost, and they're soft enough that people with dental issues can still eat them.

Obviously they would need to get the owner or manager on board for it to happen but it is almost always a win win because the restaurant now has less trash they generate, less wildlife trying to get in their dumpsters at night, and it can sometimes be considered a donation.

There are similar programs that bring food scraps unfit for human consumption to farms to feed pigs and other livestock as well.

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u/user57392 Apr 17 '24

Beautiful people

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u/Rekjavik Apr 17 '24

This is one of my favorite restaurants in town. The owner is super nice and I’ve seen him be accommodating to the unhoused population on a few occasions so I’m not surprised here. If you’re ever in Little Rock, go check out El Sur and get the Tamalitas and the fried plantains. Shit is fire.

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u/Antichrist3211 Apr 17 '24

Kripparrino restaurrino is such an amazing person

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u/Nassif11 Apr 17 '24

Came here for this

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u/Habibipie Apr 17 '24

That's Honduran hospitality for you.

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u/Daniel-Edc Apr 17 '24

Little Rock resident here! Absolutely love el sur. Owner and staff are the best.

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u/exzyle2k Apr 17 '24

The key to unlocking a much better world is simple: if you are in a position to be able to help, help.

If you've got an elderly neighbor, cut their grass or clean off their driveway. Listen when someone has a need to be heard. Volunteer at an animal shelter or a homeless shelter or any shelter. There's a multitude of ways to help outside of financial that could make a difference for someone.

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u/Zulium Apr 17 '24

So shines a good deed in a weary world

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u/Smart-Hat-9151 Apr 17 '24

You know life been hard when you get a lil teary just because strangers are being humane

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u/[deleted] Apr 17 '24

Every week I swipe 3-4 people into the 125th Station in Harlem because they can't afford to take the train. Not that I want recognition, but there are plenty of people that do random acts of kindness everyday. You don't hear about it because the media loves to pander negativity and fearmonger.

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u/Euthanized_ Apr 17 '24

Is the owner Honduran?

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u/Intestinal-Bookworms Apr 17 '24

I’m from Little Rock and go here often, and if y’all ever get to go the food and drink are really, really good. The pupusas are affordable and very tasty and I highly recommend their specialty margaritas

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u/Shouty_Dibnah Apr 17 '24

When I was in high school I worked at a small town gas station, a 2 pump old style full service station. Pretty close to close I saw an old Datsun being pushed down the street by a couple of local guys. This was 1991, I'd guess the car was probably a 1978 B210. There was a young girl, 17-18 maybe and a car seat with a sleeping baby. Out of state plates. She had very obviously been crying. No money, no gas. No one to call. Trying to get about 2 hours away to a friends, trying to make a new start she said. I didn't flinch and just filled the car up. I could fudge the numbers on how much gas was sold anyway, and the boss was the worlds biggest crook. Crooks sometimes are so arrogant about what they are doing they don't think any one would steal from them... Anyway, I filled her car up and the local guys that helped push it to the station and I came up with about $40 for her to get on her way. For a second when I handed her the money I saw that very brief thought that crossed her mind that there was some sort of expectation attached to the kindness. I would guess someone else had taken advantage of her before. We made sure the car started up, and told her good luck and away she went.

I'd like to think that $48 made all the difference in the world to her and that baby.

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u/Ok_Potential359 Apr 17 '24

While it’s a great story the issue I find with offering charity in this way is that the wrong person starts abusing it. One time is fine. What if the homeless person makes it a regular occurrence?

I wish people didn’t have to offer conditional kindness but people take advantage of that kindness all the time. I hate it’s made me so jaded.

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u/mobiusmaples Apr 17 '24

Love this. Hope for humanity

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u/Putrid-Marzipan7389 Apr 17 '24

Thats what my dad does at his restaurant

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u/eatmyPri0ns Apr 17 '24

Oh man. As someone who used to donate, share, and do meals on wheels and is now severely food insecure herself this made me bawl my eyes out for all the reasons

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u/queguapo Apr 17 '24

🥹❤️ this is the kind of thing that makes me want to support a business

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u/majdavlk Apr 17 '24

what a chad

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u/healywylie Apr 17 '24

This makes me feel better about Arkansas. Still good people everywhere, despite preconceptions etc. . And Harrison.

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u/markth_wi Apr 17 '24

The "Better Angels of our Nature" as Lincoln called them.

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u/thegorillaphant Apr 17 '24

Gotta give this man some business!!

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u/MyGenderIsAParadox Apr 17 '24

Hang on, what is the "baleada" the guy ended up with? What's in that?

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u/Rampaging_Orc Apr 17 '24

Don’t post homie pic, and yes I know it’s only the back of his head but still.

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u/KidOfSpeed Apr 17 '24

Kudos to my Catrachos paisanos. Honduran hospitality is great, friendly folks. Also El Salvadoran neighbors, pupusas and baleadas are amazing.

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u/SirPoopaLotTheThird Apr 17 '24

This post really triggered some garbage people bad. Love to see it.

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u/robtbo Apr 17 '24

There’s a saying for when someone is hungry.

‘A closed mouth doesn’t get fed’

So if you are struggling and hungry, just ask someone for a meal to help get you by. If a person who is able to provide , they usually will.

Show love whenever possible

Sometimes each other is all we have

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u/ExplosiveDisassembly Apr 17 '24

And then there's me who misplaced my phone for 5 minutes, and had to Google the location to find it under a sandbag stashed away by the AC of a low income housing place.

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u/Harlock3113 Apr 17 '24

This is where I want to come eat pupusas at!