I received a peanutbutter and jelly sandwich and a bottle of water from a van yesterday afternoon

[tk2kewl]

While I was working to put our home back together my local government employees drove by offering food and water to people in my neighborhood where Sandy's storm surge reached 9+ feet.

I was hungry while working so I accepted a sandwich and a bottle of water. I was offered a whole case of water and other nonperishable food - I declined and accepted only what I needed at the moment.

I nearly cried, I was so happy that someone gave a shit.

I guess I got a bit of my "free stuff."

Thank you "collectivists!"

[Skidmore]

1. Wish we all lived closer so we could help you with the labor.

Best wishes, my friend.

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. +1000!

[tk2kewl]

3. thanks... could be worse

my coffee guy pulled out a news clipping from last year which included this pic:



hard to feel sorry for yourself when you put things in perspective

[Skidmore]

39. I sure hope no one was in those homes when the sea went through there.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

50. Wow, I thought those were toys at first glance. In case anyone wonders, as I did,

the photo is of "A ferry stranded on a building is seen in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northern Japan, Sunday, March 13, 2011, two days after a powerful earthquake-triggered tsunami hit the country's east coast."

[TahitiNut]

36. Amen.

But all I can do is help send lawyers, guns, and money.

[tk2kewl]

38. My dad's a lawyer

so I got the first 2 covered

[uponit7771]

70. +1!

[CanSocDem]

4. "...Collectivists"

Thank you. We don't hear that word around here much.

Best wishes on getting your stuff back together...

.

[femrap]

60. I don't think I've

ever heard it....'Comrade,' yes.

But I like the sound of it.

What party do you belong to? I'm a Collectivist.

[tavalon]

64. I know you didn't address this to me, but,I'm a socialist and I live in a communal living situation

So, I guess I fall somewhere between communist and socialist but it's been a heck of a long time since I've heard the term collectivist as well. If you look at my sig line, I'm part of that collective, too. I really, really, really believe in the we before me. I'm glad there are more and more of us around.

[femrap]

72. All decisions

have to consider the collective/community and how it will be effected. You're lucky to have a communal living situation. I live in a small apartment complex where the dude next door wants to beat the crap out of me. I asked him to turn down the music after midnight. Then I was told that "We're going to get rid of you." Not very communal, I'd say. Anyway, I think I've taken care of this situation.

We all live in such tiny places with so many people around. It's like that experiment with the rats...how many can you put in a cage before they turn on each other???

I'm also a big fan of the Business Coop. Socialism meant 'sharing' to me. Isn't that what we were taught as children?

I'll check out your sig line.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Hey, and the rest f us don't mind paying for this

With taxes.

The evil gub'mint moves food and water for those affected as part of the planning and operations. They plan for this...you and I pay for it.

[tavalon]

65. LOL. Uh, huh, uh, huh

Someone called me a "tax and spend liberal" the other day. My answer, "Why, yes, I am!".

[japple]

68. Yes, as opposed to their philosophy of borrow and spend.

[freshwest]

6. From the collectivist horde, 'You'e Welcome.' Wish I was there to offer you some help.

[tk2kewl]

17. that is why we have a government

we can't all be where the help is needed, but we can organize and plan to make sure someone is.

Thanks

[freshwest]

22. That's what I tell people. Taxes pay for those we don't know. It's a good thing. Stay safe!

[meeshrox]

7. Lots of us do care

and hope for a speedy recovery for everyone there!

That is a wonderful story! I hope people continue to pull together and teach those "rugged individualists" that we are all in this together!

My mother wants to rent a van and bring building supplies for her cousin if they run out locally as she rebuilds. I would love to expand that and have a whole caravan of people bringing stuff. I should add that I'm in Florida...

[tk2kewl]

16. where is your mom's cuosin?

LI, Jersey Shore?

how bad was it for her?

[meeshrox]

29. Long Beach, NY 10 blocks from the beach

Cannot believe she stayed! 2 1/2 feet of water in her house, just remodeled last year, no flood insurance. I love her as family, but wonder why she didn't think it would be so bad despite the evacuation order. I so wanted to call her up and plea that she leave! I'm a geologist and could have described to her the play-by-play, just like how I watched it unfold online and on tv, and just like I learned in school how barrier islands are the last place to be during a hurricane.

She is staying with our aunt in Flushing and still has her job and health. She'll rebuild and will be fine. I worry for so many others who will not.

[tk2kewl]

32. very fortunate not to have gotten hurt or killed

a friend-of-a-friend's family stayed in Marine Park until it was too late and while trying to leave the mother went back for some belongings and debris came through the window - she was badly cut by glass and bled to death with her kids and husband in the house

[meeshrox]

33. That's terrible beyond words!

I am so sorry your friend's family has to endure such tragedy on top of everything else. My heart is aching for you and your friends. I hope you can find comfort in the kindness of everyone in your community, both in the NE and throughout the country.

Before my mom and I leave for NY with supplies (might be a couple of months until she's ready for materials), I'll PM you to see if you or your friends need anything. In the meantime, to please let me know if I can do anything!

[tavalon]

67. Damn it all.

Broken belongings suck. But destroyed lives is a whole other level. I'm so sorry for them and also for what you've had to endure.

[aquart]

37. Our friends in Long Beach tried to stay, too. Lost their 3 cars.

Then needed help getting out. But they're back in, cleaning like crazy.

[meeshrox]

40. Yep, my mom's cousin lost her car, furniture, etc.

but was able to save her clothes and a few valuables. She does go back to clean but doesn't have much time during the day because of the curfew and travel to/from Flushing.

[aquart]

41. My geology professor told a story about a colleague, a fellow geologist

Who built a house in California cantilevered (is that the word?) Across a heavily-wooded canyon above a very well known fault line. When he asked his friend how, how could he do it, the reply was "But the view!"

[meeshrox]

42. I shudder to think what the insurance was for that

if that would even be covered, considering his profession.

I know that a huge majority of these coastal homes were already built, paid off, and handed down within families, but at least evacuation orders should be given due attention. Forecasting for storm surge and other hurricane hazards is so sophisticated nowadays. They can tell exactly which blocks of which neighborhoods are most at risk based on topography, etc. It's really tragic what happened and I hope it becomes a hard-learned lesson going forward. The biggest difference between the storm of 1962 (?) and now is the forecasting ability.

[Booster]

8. I am so glad my taxes paid for you sandwich and water. Wouldn't have it any other way.

I just hope they do more for everyone in your area. We're in this together and wish you the best & i do give a shit.

[hamsterjill]

9. Been thinking about all of you affected by Sandy.

Heard today that there are still so many without power eleven days out.

Please know that we all wish you the best and I'd buy you a steak if I were closer. I'll content myself with the fact that my taxes accomplished a little good, at least.

[tk2kewl]

11. fortunately I now have a generator hooked up and my gas is on

i think my wife will be cooking up an nice steak tonight so we can resume ripping out sheetrock and insulation tomorrow

thanks

[DCKit]

23. You sound scary self-sufficient. I really like that. nt

[JNelson6563]

49. I hope you and your wife enjoy dinner!

And that your recovery goes well. Thanks for posting your OP.

Many of us are with you in spirit!



Julie

[intheflow]

10. My guess is this was a local worker's private initiative.

Paid out of their own pockets. The government doesn't hand out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because of public health issues. That's why the Red Cross gets government money (strict food handling guidelines) and Food Not Bombs gets driven out of public parks for trying to feed the homeless. I think this was neighbors helping neighbors - perhaps an even sweeter story.

[tk2kewl]

13. could be...

i was thinking that the town probably was offering delivery service in cooperation with red cross. they had MREs among other things.

red cross has been making the tour in another neighborhood where i own a rental property. my neighbor there calls it the lunch wagon.

[intheflow]

63. MREs add another dimension to the story.

Could have been any combination of groups, then. I worked with a Methodist relief agency after Hurricane Katrina who'd been given MREs from the government to hand out, and they also served a lunch (with many a pb&j) to local kids in their church dining room. At any rate, I'm glad to know there are feet on the ground serving you.

[sarah FAILIN]

12. Been there, done that. You should have taken all you needed when they offered

We were out of power 10 days when tornadoes hit Al and cut off from any help the first day. I refused to go to the feeding stations that had been set up because I felt like I should save that for someone worse off than myself that might not even have shelter. Food that I could buy in the stores once I could get there was very limited the first couple of days as was ice to keep my sandwich stuff cold but it got better. By the time we were able to get to work again and the power was back, I had spent quite a chunk restocking and I was sick to death of sandwiches. I wished I had taken the free hot meals that were offered, lol. Thinking about you guys every day and hoping for the best.

[tk2kewl]

14. i have family in unaffected areas

so i still have a heated room to go to when needed and food hasn't been scarce. the snow wednesday was a kick in the ass, but we are hanging tough. Thanks

[NYC_SKP]

15. K/R (nt)

[HopeHoops]

18. That's just too cool.

[DinahMoeHum]

19. tk2kewl, where are you at? I'm a fellow Tri-State DUer.

PM me and let's communicate. Thanks.

Perhaps some us DUers who may live nearby can help you out.

My neighborhood in Westchester County got back the electricity last night.
After 10 days without. Our main problems were power outage, downed trees and impassable roads. No damage to the home, though, thank G#d.
For about a week, I have been staying at my mother's home 5 miles away. I'm taking my stuff back to my place tomorrow.

Lots of hugs to you from all of us.

[Chorophyll]

31. I'm in Westchester too -- had the opposite. We lucked out tremendously on my block,

but I had my Mom staying with me for a week until her power came back.

Glad you're going home.

[AlbertCat]

20. You must be one of the people who wants "free stuff"

... that allowed Obama to stay in power!

[DCKit]

24. You had to go there.... someone did.

You're not going to get any shit from me, you fucking commie.

[AlbertCat]

25. I am truly SICK of this new round of the...

...."welfare queens" lie. Can't Repugs even think of a new fake excuse for their loss?

[DCKit]

28. You think they're that smart? Dream on. nt

[bklyncowgirl]

21. I'm about 1/2 mile from the FEMA/Red Cross tent city at Monmouth Park Racetrack

My husband went down there to get ice. He came back with three bags of ice and a box of MREs. Said they couldn't have been nicer.

We've sustained damage to our roof and have had no power since the night of the hurricane. Others are so much worse off than we are that we feel lucky. Hope your recovery goes well.

[DCKit]

26. Geez, I had no idea. We were in western VA for the storm and didn't see any damage.

It was raging, but no threat.

I'm so sorry for you folks, honestly. However, trust me, if we'd had stronger winds, the house would now be naked and bereft of siding. I'm dealing with lots of other issues, but my heart is still big enough to feel for you.

[Liberal_in_LA]

27. Good luck with your home.

[Chorophyll]

30. K&R and I hope your recovery efforts go smoothly from here on in.

Great post.

[tk2kewl]

35. thanks

[rosesaylavee]

34. "Peanut Butter and Jelly for Everyone"

I think we will add that to our new 2016 platform.

Sorry you are suffering with all this still!

[flygal]

43. Good luck to you and thanks for sharing

[LA Kings Fan]

44. ... reminds me of quote in movie SEABISCUT from time of Depression,

" They called it “relief,” but it was a lot more than that.
It had dozens of names; N.R.A., W.P.A., the C.C.C. But it really came down to just one thing.
For the first time in a long time, someone cared.
For the first time in a long time, you were no longer alone. "

[tk2kewl]

46. nice quote

glad to have you aboard!

[LA Kings Fan]

52. Thnx

thank you ... been a lurker for years ... thought it was time to start posting

[ailsagirl]

45. I'm so sorry to hear of all the upheaval that Sandy caused.

But I'm so glad that people are helping each other out. Good luck with everything!

[ProSense]

47. Best wishes

I can't imagine the hardship you're facing, but being without power and heat for several days was annoying.

Your post made me cry. Good luck with everything and I hope life returns to normal for you soon.

You're in my prayers.

Peace.

[Maine-i-acs]

48. THIS IS WHY I PAY TAXES!!!

I WANT my money going toward these "handouts". Sometimes the "heavy hand of government" is a GOOD thing!

Good luck and God bless the OP (and the USA).

[WillyT]

51. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[Aristus]

53. I'm glad you got what you needed. We're all in this together.

We're in it together with the freepers, too, unfortunately. But I don't begrudge them their PB&J and water. People are getting help. That's what's important...

[DirkGently]

54. Hell. Yes. Good government at work.

I hope you, the neighborhood, and the rest of the area get all the help you need.

Thanks for sharing this.

Be well.

[Cha]

55. I know how that feels, tk2kewl! Hurricane Iniki on Kaua'i in '92.. 20 years ago but

you never forget the feeling of gratitude.

Best Wishes for a Timely Recovery for you and all those affected by Sandy.

[Beacool]

56. Where are you?

I'm in Hoboken, NJ and 50% of the town was flooded. Luckily, I'm on high ground and my apt. bldg. and car were fine. Although we were without power for almost a week. After the storm only one street in the entire town had power. The transformers were so flooded that it took days to pump the water out and repair them.

Today was my first day back at work. The company has several offices in downtown Manhattan and they aren't going to be back in use for about 8 weeks. It's a mess.

Good luck with the cleanup. I hope that you didn't lose much.

[RedCappedBandit]

57. you mean.. a FREE LUNCH?!?!

gasp

edit: I am sorry for the damaged Sandy caused. Hope you and your family can recover quickly. Glad to hear there's some help out there.

[argiel1234]

58. kicking

and recced

[fadedrose]

59. Bless you Buddy, you're a nice fella/lady....

[lonestarnot]

61. Good on you dude!

[myrna minx]

62. .

[roguevalley]

66. tk2kewl, I wish I could buy you prime rib. I hug you from Alaska. I wish you all well.

[tk2kewl]

73. got a fire going in the fireplace tonight

and my wife just brought a skirt steak in from the grill and fied it up with arugula, onions a Tuscon dressing and parmigian cheese

good way to end a hard day ripping out drywall

[roguevalley]

74. damn. I may come over to your house for dinner. :D I hug you both.

[Buzz Clik]

69. Another socialist freeloading 47%er gets addicted to the government teat.

Truly, that was awesome.

[yardwork]

71. I'm glad that you got a little bit of help. I'm happy to help pay for that.

Disasters hit my state sometimes too. If I am ever unlucky enough to be in a disaster - which is probable sooner or later - then I know that you will not begrudge me a little bit of help and you will be glad that your tax dollars are helping us all out.

That's what this is all about. Republicans don't get that.