Helping Others - Small Efforts makes Big Difference

"If we have been able to give happiness to a soul-even for a minute-it makes our life blessed." - Amma

This is the story of Amrit and his act of love to help the hungry and poor, with the resources that he has available. As related by Kavyashree who helped him this last Sunday, January 10th.

“On Sunday Jan. 10th, our brother in Amma, Amrit, made a huge pot of beautiful soup for the homeless and asked me if I had any hats or scarves made by the Craft Guild members to donate to his cause.  He was going to Oakland to a homeless encampment to feed the destitute.  There was no one to go with him.  This is not a task that can be done alone so I decided to go with him and help.  I did have a bag full of hats and scarves made with love by members of the M. A. Center Craft Guild.  I also had some blankets I had made from recycled fleece used last November to cover bales of hay at the ashram.  On the way to Amrit's I stopped at Costco and bought a package of thick, warm socks.  We met Harsha briefly in Berkeley and she gave us several large packages of freshly made rolls.  Harsha went to lot of trouble to purchase and deliver the rolls to us because she had to go to work shortly. 

When we got to the encampment in Oakland, Amrit went to the cloth ‘dwellings’ and invited homeless people to come and eat.  I stayed at Amrit's pick up truck.  I set out all the hats, scarves, blankets, and socks.  I served the soup as they arrived and Amrit gave them rolls, napkins and spoons. 

What touched me most and what I shared with the members of the Craft Guild, was that the homeless men and women were drawn to and really wanted the hand made hats and scarves.  They really loved them!

One man asked if he could take two pairs of socks.  He showed me his ankles and his feet were bare under his shoes.  He said I have no socks.  I said yes, take two pair, by all means!

One person's small effort when combined with the rest of our efforts can make quite a difference!”