Eating out of the trash can while others ice skate

Volunteer of PIVOT TN Dec 2022 wrote:

I was wrecked with emotion while standing there immersed in the holiday atmosphere in downtown Knoxville Market Square, watching my friends ice skate when I saw a man with socked feet, and no shoes reach into the trash can and pull out a to-go-box thrown away. He plopped it on the top of the Knoxville City trash bin and began to consume the leftovers of someone else. How is it that the world spins so oblivious to others' pain and suffering? How can we ignore the needs of others and promote ourselves so falsely? How can we just carry on our way, while others are being actively tormented by circumstances of their every day while just trying to survive? I went into Subway and bought a gift card to give to him but by the time the transaction was completed, he was gone. I felt like the trash in the can because I am guilty of not paying attention to others' suffering. There is purpose in valuing others; I believe it is the gift of living. From that experience, I will pay attention to others.