Quantcast
breaking news

Store Clerk Speaks out on Helping the Homeless

By: Kristin Anderson
Updated: January 7, 2013
watch video
She sees them every day.

"It's like a bar tender kind of thing. Because so many people come in and tell us their life story," said a convenience store clerk, who wishes to remain anonymous. 

In fact, this convenience store clerk has formed many friendships with the homeless people in Abilene. And like many on South First, she tries to help out as much as she can.

"I think the acceptance of them and everything is because we see them every day and we hear them speak," she explained. "Honestly, when you hear someone speak, you have emotion."

She's been working at the local store for a year. And in that time, her perception of homeless people has changed.

"Now that I'm at a convenience store, I'm noticing that. I've noticed that if i see them on the street I'll say 'How are you doing?'" she said.

But she also experiences how other people treat the homeless. Including this weekend, when a cab company refused to pick up a man in a wheel chair just because he was homeless.

"I was like, it's cold outside. It's a Saturday night and it's busy and he's in a wheelchair wearing dark clothing. I don't want to have him, have what happened to Tina Brown happen to him. And he blatantly said it. He goes, 'I don't care. It's not my problem, I could care less.' And then hung up," the store clerk explained.

While the cab company has the right to refuse service, the store clerk says that everyone should remember that just because some people are homeless doesn't mean they should be treated differently.

"They're human beings," she explained. "They're human beings just like your mom, your dad, your sister or your brother. Why would you treat them differently?"

Comments

Readers Feel...

hello
Related Content

A man working for a yard service company fell from a tree while working to clean up storm damage. The fall happened at a home on Gilmore Avenue in South Abilene....

The City of Abilene and Taylor County has started a storm shelter registration program, which will help emergency responders provide aid to residents that may become injured or trapped in shelters....

The City of Abilene Office of Neighborhood Services is currently accepting applications for two home buying incentive programs....

Two  employees at the Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services (CPS) have been put on resigned in connection to the Tiffany Klapheke case....

The foods preschool aged children eat could reveal their chances of developing heart disease later in life....

Some doctors have started prescribing acupuncture as a means of treating concussions.  ...

On Saturday morning, downtown Abilene restaurant Abi-Haus decided to serve more than their dishes, but their time and hair to make a difference....

The Abilene City Council voted on Thursday and came to a unanimous decision to amend zoning laws for head shops, only allowing them in industrialized zoned areas....

Polls open Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m....

Click for the latest headlines and weather forecast for Friday, June 14, 2013...

 
Find Articles Here
 
      Page 681 of 718
 
Search BigCountryHomepage.com