Recently, I pulled into my HOA's 'personal gas station' (I say this because it's 200 feet outside of my HOA's entrance, and we all use it.) I was pumping gas and cleaning my windshield, when i heard an 'Excuse me, sir?" behind me. I turned and saw a large woman in a sort of muu-muu tentatively approaching me. Her hair was greasy and stringy, and one of her tires was obviously a spare. She was very apologetic and nervous. My radar went up, but she was harmless, and I asked what she needed.

She said she was almost out of gas and needed to get home to Jackson, Mississippi, 320 miles away. I looked over at her vehicle, which was a late-90's minivan in that awful 80's greyish-blue color (if you remember the 90s, you know what I'm talking about), with paint peeling off in multiple spots all over. A closer look showed me she had crap piled up various windows. I asked what she needed and she told me she was coming from somewhere-I-forget and she just needed to get home to Jackson. She asked for "anything I could spare".

I told her to pull in behind me. Her eyes got wide and she did so. I placed my card against the reader, pushed the button, and told her to fill it up. She was extremely appreciative. Being a mildly curious guy, when i got home i Googled her mini-van type, MPH and gas tank size. By my calculations, she would have 2 gallons left over by the time she got home. I'd given her another $20 for food or in case of emergencies.

I don't believe in giving cash-in-hand to anyone in need (due to an incident in Seattle in 1995), but i always try to help people in more practical ways. I travel ALOT and save my daily shampoo/conditioner/body wash bottles into my luggage. Once full, i donate them to a local teen crisis pregnancy center or halfway house. Having spent much of my 55 years road tripping, helping people on the road is my favorite way to assist.

I dislike it when people trumpet good deeds on social media, and try to live by Matthew 6:3-4

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Anyways, if you see someone who needs gas money, buy them a full tank. You'll need it yourself one day. Lord knows, in 30 years of road-tipping, I have needed plenty of help.