Since as far back as I can remember, my parents have preached many concepts to me, some of which were never waste any food on my plate and share as much as possible with the less fortunate. True, when I was 5 the concept of finishing that last piece of brown broccoli because somebody else in this world needed it didn’t make sense. Likewise, at this young age, donating my old toys to the Salvation Army was wasteful and nonbeneficial to me. However, unlike some of my fellow fortunate college students today, I learned that the world does not revolve around just me.

A good case in point was last week when I was standing in line at a fast food restaurant eagerly anticipating my share of fried food. I noticed there was a person in this local establishment who was obviously less fortunate than I was. He sat in the corner eating his small sandwich, salt packets and drinking water. Twice he asked fellow patrons if he could please have some money for another sandwich. One well and expensively dressed person said he had supposedly just spent his last money on his order as he threw away an unfinished portion of his food. The second group of people that he approached, who had six bags of food, mocked him as they left the store. I heard such comments as, “If I give you money, you’ll just go buy some booze.” If these students were truly “scared” that this less fortunate individual would take their monetary donations and do evil, they could have easily bought gift certificates or given an order of fries.

I do understand that a lot of students are unable to give money or food because they are not financially stable. I also completely understand wanting to indulge on materialistic things, as I have done. However, the current welfare system that our politicians have set up by taxing us obviously is not working for everybody. I would encourage that more fortunate people try to help less fortunate people whenever the possibility arises. In the above two cases, it was obvious that instead of throwing away food or not donating a portion of a huge order, that we should recall what I assume all parents preached.

In conclusion, the next time you pay cover at a bar to sip wine, or insist that your dad pay your extravagant cell phone or sport utility vehicle bill, or throw away your last portion of french fries, try to remember that less fortunate people could benefit from your money, foods or resources.

Chris Gilbert
geological science senior