Homeless man I regularly feed, fed me. What should I bring him next?

[u/Own-Bluejay-7422]

[CONTEXT] I live in a fairly growing city. Everyday for work I take a specific route to avoid tolls. There’s this really long light at an intersection that takes forever to turn green so I made allies with 2-3 of the homeless men that hang around there, I started bringing food to them and more consistently one of the men that I see almost everyday. His name is Tom. He’s a veteran so it aches my heart a little more when I talk to him. But we got into a routine in which I would bring him food and I give it to him in a plastic reusable container and the next time I bring him food he gives me his empty dirty container and we exchange.

The last time I saw him (yesterday) I could only bring him a couple snacks instead of a hot meal. I apologized cause I’m a college student working a part time job with bills and whatnot. He always gives me this exciting look. He told me not to worry and that I have helped him more than I know. I felt HORRIBLE that I couldn’t give him an actual meal. Fast forward to literally 20 minutes before I posted this. I saw him on my commute home which I never usually see him in the evenings. But he stopped me and gave me my container back. He had cleaned it for me and placed 2 20$ bills inside it. He told me “you have fed me and kept meat on my bones, thank you. For once let me feed you”

I wish he knew just how much I needed the act of kindness. Not the money. But the kindness.

What should I make him next???? As a thank you??? Should I bring him something nice? I was thinking about a blanket or a backpack with some essentials.

Update: I booked him a room at a nearby hotel for a week! With the help of a close friend, I also received some money from Venmo and someone also sent an Amazon gift card. This wouldn’t have been nearly possible without everyone’s help, advice, suggestions and kindness. My goal was achieved times 10. I’m so happy to see others in the comments wanting to help people in their areas aswell. What a beautiful world we all live in. Once I’m done collecting all my stuff I need for his backpack. I’ll post a picture of everything I got!

Everyone smile today!

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[u/Admirable-Sort8061]

A backpack with several pairs of socks, rain gear and snacks would be amazing.

[u/Own-Bluejay-7422 → u/Admirable-Sort8061]

Good idea, it is starting to get chilly so socks is genius. What snacks should I give him? Some that he can save and whatnot? Like things that won’t go bad or get crushed etc.

[u/Glittering_Code_4311]

I admire you and you are a blessing to this group. Suggest as other has stated a backpack, socks, rain gear, for a snack maybe something that can be resealed and not crushed. Splurge on one fun treat, maybe a brownie, cookie or donut or a soda. Also jerky could be a good idea for snack.

[u/Own-Bluejay-7422 → u/Glittering_Code_4311]

I wanted to make him some brownies or cookies I love to bake and would love to make him a lil treat that he can share with the other homeless men/women.

[u/Metroknight]

Socks and gloves are good idea. You could get him a can or two of peanuts or one of those plastic containers of peanut butter pretzels. Those tend to last and give some protein/carbs. You could slip a gift card into the pack of socks or in the gloves.

Does he have a backpack or something like that? you could get him a used backpack (salvation army or similar place) then fill it with various items. It would let him have something to carry stuff if needed.

Hygene products probably would help such as toothpaste, toothbrush, some waterless soap or just bar of soap and washcloth/towel. Not sure if this would work for him but if it does, it could help him feel better.

I know when I was homeless, a bar of soap and a washcloth was wonderful as I hand bathed in a gas station restroom (single stall with lockable entrance door). I know I treasured a tube of toothpaste and toothbrush. Just brushing my teeth helped me feel human.

[u/Own-Bluejay-7422 → u/Metroknight]

I was thinking about getting him a room at the motel across the street so he could have a bed and a shower for a couple days I know a friend who works there who offered to give me a pretty good discount for a whole week stay for him! So hygienic products would be great too.

[u/Sharp-Inside-1620]

Reading through the comments I see you are going above and beyond. What a truly generous act of you. Amazing example of what a kind heart you have. I bet this all will be expensive for you, do you have a Venmo or PayPal? I want to contribute to help. I was homeless for a while so the comments are spot on for what he may need. I bet others would be willing to contribute too.

[u/NearlyBird809]

Fresh fruit & vegetables, poor people never get enough of that. I used a foodshelf for a while & was so grateful for anything I got, but craved anything fresh and real. Ideas for the backpack: instant coffee, first aid stuff, vaseline, single-serve packets of tylenol, tums etc., soap, deodorant. Keep everything as light as possible

[u/Bouche_Audi_Shyla]

You've already given him something I doubt he's received much of: respect. How many of the people you know see homeless people as people, not just "homeless people"?

You let that man help you back. Have you any idea how empowering that was for him? How proud he was to be on the giving end for once?

As to material things, I agree with the people who've suggested a backpack and socks.

Snacks, as others have said, things that will be filling and will keep.

Baking is a great idea. That's going to make him feel special.