That guy at the gas station last week totally changed my mind about those donation jars

I always walked right past those donation jars at the register, you know the ones for some random cause. Last Wednesday I was at the Shell on 4th Street getting a soda and this older guy in front of me drops in a $5 bill. He turned around and just said "I used to be the one counting those pennies, trust me it adds up." He had this old worn out jacket and just walked out like it was nothing. For some reason that small moment stuck with me all day. Now I throw my spare change in every single time I see one of those jars. Has anyone else had a tiny random encounter like that totally flip your thinking on something?

3 comments

3 Comments

benclark1mo ago

Trust me it adds up" hit me different too. A busker once told me that and now I always drop a dollar.

jenkins.reese1mo ago

Whoa, slow down there. I get why @benclark and the OP found it touching, but throwing spare change in every jar you see is a pretty big leap from one random guy's comment. I mean, how do you even know where that money really goes? I've read too many stories about those countertop jars just being pocketed by the cashier or the owner's cousin. It's nice to think a fiver at the gas station is changing someone's life, but in my experience, a lot of those "causes" are pretty vague and you never see a receipt. Not trying to kill the vibe, just saying keep your eyes open a little.

jesse_green551mo ago

$5 is a whole gallon of gas in some places. I'm not saying the guy was lying but one person tossing a bill in doesn't mean every jar is legit. My cousin worked at a diner where the owner just used that money to buy lottery tickets for himself. I'd rather hand a buck directly to someone on the street than trust a cardboard box by a cash register.