Would You "Donate" a Happy Meal?

I would rather give $12 worth of food to kids whose mom could maybe afford it than say no and later wonder if the kids were hungry.

Yes most definitely. You never know their circumstances and I would rather be duped then have a chold go hungry. Good job Mom!!!

Yep!! I would have done it in a heart beat!!!

Don't worry if you got taken...it WILL come back to you - good karma!!! It's called paying it forward and this will come back to you in MANY ways!!!

YOU GO GIRL!!!!

In a similar situation, and were I able to afford it, yes I would have done it. They could have been traveling and she lost her wallet or some other such thing. Or she had money on her but had to use it all for gas. Or they were on their way home from an event/park and she forgot to pack lunch and a snack and didn't have cash on her, but it was too far home to make the children wait.

It could have been anything. I don't think you were duped.

I figure that if someone is overcoming their pride enough to ask for food and/or drinks for their childrens sake, whether it's at the grocery store or a fast food place, then there's a real need and it's not really up to me to judge "how real" that need is. It's the right thing to do and I would hope that if I were in a similar position, someone would help me.

Please don't second guess yourself. You were kind and generous to a stranger... a mother and her children. No matter what her situation, it was the right thing to do. God bless you.

My daughter would tell you that you made God's heart happy.

Regardless of whether she duped you or was genuinely in need, you saw a hungry child and fed it. That could never be wrong.

If there is one thing I can't stand, it is the thought of a hungry or thirsty child. I would have bought them too, regardless of my impression of the mother. I think you can feel good about your decision no matter what. :-)

She asked for nothing herself. She didn't eat. She took nothing from her children. She was embarrassed, and honestly thankful. If you were getting taken, it would have been about her. I don't know what I would do, if my children were hungry. I imagine I would be BEYOND thankful, and thrilled my children could partake in a simple joy like Mcdonalds. I think I would always remember the person kind enough to give that to my children.

I have no problem doing that.

I totally would have done it. I would then second guess myself, and have visions of taking them to the local farmer's market for healthy food. But in the moment, I would not say no to a hungry child and I probably would not have the presence of mind to offer a healthy alternative.

What a horrible person you are to have gone to a McDonald's in the first place. I'm pulling your mom card!

TOTALLY KIDDING!!!

I only said that because I'm sure you'll get the "why were you even there" type of responses that are completely unnecessary. My kids eat McDonalds...sometimes twice a month! Oh the horror!!

I would have absolutely done the same thing. I think you did a good, humanitarian thing and what's more, you taught your kids a lesson.

Way to go mom!

I would have bought the meals.
Good for you !!!!

Honestly, I would have D. that without thinking twice. If that was true or not, it doesn't matter.

I have done similar. I know if you are truly hungry, you don't care if the hamburger is listed as the most healthy or not and you certainly don't care if it has a pickle on it so to speak.

I have gone into grocery stores and seen the beggars out front. I have bought an extra bunch of bananas or bag of oranges so If I'm asked for money for food, I can give them something to eat, not have my food money turned in to booze or drugs.

I have also been given a tour of Salvation Army's collection center in Little Rock. I saw where they had rooms where the unemployed can stay and be trained and outfitted for the job market in the local area. They also have en employment center so those that want jobs can get them.

Good luck to you and yours.

i would have too. you did an unselfish thing, how great is that? have a great day

I dont think you could ever be "duped" when it comes to feeding a child. Whether they are in desperate need or just have a rumbly in the tumbly. I probably would have stuck around in my car or something to ensure it was the kids eating and not the mom but thats just me.

That was so sweet of you. You have no idea if her cell phone was pre- paid and all that stuff. Let's say you fed her three kids so she could save money for other necessities. You were kind!

Makes me want to pay it foward very soon when I see someone in need.

A grocery store is probably more intimidating - it's not like you can give someone a grocery list (and if she doesn't have a decent place to live, who knows if she has a place for groceries).

Another mother asked you to help her children. You stepped up. The rest of the details are irrelevant.

Don't second guess yourself. Feeding hungry children is always the right thing to do.

Wow, gosh, what a situation. I don't know what I would do...I might do it, probably would if I got the feeling the kids were really hungry. In the end, even if you were duped, you helped out those kids at least in some way. And since the mom didn't eat and didn't ask for herself, I think I'd be more inclined to believe they were really strapped. In fact, in that situation I may have just ordered something for the mom too. Good for you, though, like I said, you probably had a positive influence no matter what exactly the situation was.

I probably would have done the same thing you did. I have either witnessed or heard friends' stories about homeless people asking them for money. When they were offered food already in hand or to go into a restaurant and buy them some food, they REFUSED. They wanted money. Probably for drugs or alcohol.

I would rather buy them the food & know that they were able to eat.

I'd have done the same thing. And likely would have bought food for her too, even though she didn't ask.

One Thanksgiving, I was out running some errands and stopped at a local WAWA (like 7-11, only better) and picked up a hot turkey sandwich for my lunch. Hadn't had any breakfast and had 6 or so pies to make when I got home. Anyway, as I got off the interstate to go home, there was a homeless women on the side of the road. I couldn't face having that sandwich in the car and looking forward to a big family meal, while she went without. I rolled down the window and gave her my sandwich. She was grateful and appreciative.

Another time, I was out front of our church and a lady came up looking for groceries. It happened to be a night the church hands out groceries to those who need it, so I showed her where to go. As my DH and I were leaving, he stated he knew that if it hadn't been a church food bank night, we'd have been going to the grocery store across the street to buy groceries for this woman and her grandchildren.

We often take our Sunday school class to the grocery store to help stock the food bank. They collect their own money and we shop and put it all away. It's important for kids to learn compassion and empathy early. You taught your kids that today through your actions.

I don't give money to every panhandler, but I will give food to most of them I think you did right by this lady ... Dont let anyone else tell you differently. Best wishes and God bless.

I probably would've done the same thing. We have a LOT of panhandlers here in town, and I do feel bad for them. Always wondering what circumstances got them to the point that they are standing on the street begging for anything (money, food, clothes)! I generally do NOT give them money, but if I have food in the car, I have been known to share that. I've passed out bags of chips, a loaf of bread, and even half a Subway sandwich (I said "I hope it helps, God Bless you" and he looked surprised and thanked me profusely). I've seen it all: disabled "vets," traveling musicians, a young decently dressed young man with a sign "just got custody of my daughter, we're trying to make ends meet, and anything would help," and even a very pregnant young woman... I just don't have the money to give to all of them--and then wonder what they're *really* going to do with it! I've been stopped at the gas station late at night and asked "35 cents is all I need to get on the bus" and offered to trade a stack of music CDs for whatever money I can spare... It is heartbreaking.
I help when I can and honestly, just stopped carrying cash. Then, I can honestly say "Sorry, I don't have any cash on me." I have also bought a bag of extra groceries (bottled water, bread, peanut butter, fruit) and handed it to a woman and her little boy who I passed on my way to the grocery store.

I do not give to panhandlers. But I might have done what you did, and I think it was really, really great that you did it. You made three young kiddos very happy. 'Nuff said.

Give yourself a pat on the back and stop overthinking this. You did a good deed. If you would have refused you would have still been wondering about this and feeling bad. Feel good about what you did. I would have done the same thing.

I would rather give them food then cash. I would not have thought to go somewhere else to get them healthier food at the moment either.
But, and I hate to admit it, I have becone so cynical that I will not give anything to a person standing next to me begging. I will donate to food banks etc that I know are helping those in need though so I am not completely without heart ;) But I do like having the piece of mind.
Just recently we had a group arrested that was targeting our area. They were scamming poeple out of large amounts of cash begging and claiming to need help. That was the clincher.
I hate that I have been left to feel like everyone is trying to scam me.

You did the right thing, if you ask me.

But when I was a poor college student the drunks that lived in the hallway leading to the secure elevator to my apartment always asked me for things....food, band-aids, etc. and I would share if I could. Karma man, might as well be nice and generous to people, you never know when you might need the same in return.

Your post made me cry! You did a sweet thing and had compassion on a family without thinking twice.

I don't know why she picked McDonalds instead of a grocery store, but sometimes grocery store lunches could get more complicated and expensive. Mabey she was trying to keep it simple, or mabey she was just desperate. No matter what, I would have done the same as you.

Nope she was out driving (wasting gas)and you seen her on a cell phone that costs money to have min. put on if it is prepaid,or monthly plan that has to be paid.Scams are everywhere who knows she could of hit someone else up for dinner

I might have offered to buy 3 hamburgers, not sure i would have done with the happy meals.

I'm totally being curious with this, but my own kids take about 20 mins to order -- think when Harry met Sally before she fake orgasms. but did these kids ask for nuggets and specific sauces and special soft drinks or did you just order 3 burger meals and make the choices for them? I doesn't matter other than like i said, we ate out twice this last weekend while traveling and it was a HUGE ordeal, and i think that would have turned me off if they had been as fussy as mine.

I guess i would have wondered if she was using her money for drugs or something but in the long run, you did the right thing.

I hope i woudl be able to in your postition.