In the shadows of the fast food restaurants and construction scaffolding on Fourth Avenue, several families share a single two bedroom apartment. The effort it takes to keep a low profile exceeds the energy expended at coveted factory jobs or the hours of hawking bootlegs on the corner. South Brooklyn is like a jigsaw puzzle of sub cultures that tessellate into a familiar image. Transplanted mid-westerners are changing the landscape of the area formerly known as the premiere stop after Ellis Island. Illegal immigrants are camouflaged by first generation Americans who retain the culture of their forefathers. Luxury condos overlooking the cemetry add to the quirky charm of a neighborhood where far too many of the neighbors are in need.
On Monday afternoon I leaned against the traffic light and passed out flyers for yet another food drive. Feeling frustrated by the steady decline in donations to the local food pantry, I wondered if I was wasting my time.
Then along came Jayson, a wide eyed five year old who tried to snatch a flyer from my hand. He is only in Kindergarten, but already Jayson has expressed an interest in feeding the homeless. His father asked me for some information. “My son wants to do this” he said, “just tell me where he can bring the food.”
On Friday, Jayson returned with his father and a box full of groceries. He had collected twenty pounds of rice, a few boxes of cereal, as well as, an assortment of canned soup and beans. “I hope you get 100 pounds of food” he said as he shook my hand. We decided to weigh the food he’d brought. Jayson had donated 38 lbs . Then we weighed the other donations. Altogether Jayson and I had collect 115 lbs and 14 oz. Not bad for week’s work.
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