Via Flickr:I was hoping to take him to breakfast in March for our two year "anniversary", but it hadn't worked out. I've seen him a few times since, always stopping to say hi or to buy him a sandwich. Today, I was hoping to see him again and grab that "2 year" photo.
As I was leaving the train toward the spot he's usually at, there was Robert on his way into Union Station. I asked him if he wanted to sit down and have a McGriddle to which he readily agreed. I picked up the sandwich at McDonalds and Robert led me to the Great Hall where we sat on a bench and talked.
Since first encountering Robert 2 years ago and seeing him often since, I wondered about his day to day life. So I began to ask. What's the shelter like? How much does it cost you to stay there? Are there meals provided? How much money do you typically take in daily? Through these questions, I learned a little more about the person.
Robert usually hangs out in a couple of locations, but oftentimes others take those spots when he's not there. When he shows up, they go elsewhere. "I'm not trying to make a lot of money like those other guys looking for drug money. I'm just trying to get enough money for food. I'm not a greedy guy." Robert says he collects about $20-$25 a day and hopes that at the end of the week he has enough to get through the weekend. Robert said that if he's not out on Monday mornings, it's usually because someone was very generous on a Friday afternoon. Otherwise the weekends can be difficult. The shelter serves meals "…if you can call them that. For me, it's just a snack <grin>." Truly a day to day, hand to mouth existence.
Sometimes people will give him food. That's always better In the winter since the cold weather will prevent any leftover food from spoiling. Robert says he's perfectly happy when someone gives him a McDonald's gift card…to him it's as good as cash. He has no other income and as such lives at the shelter rent-free. They are helping him apply for SSI and disability from his old injury.
I asked Robert if I could take a few pictures. In return, he asked if I would make copies for him. "Absolutely", I told him. "I'm traveling this week so I'll bring them next Monday morning…if you're out here." I snapped a few shots and gave Robert the change from the sawbuck. He thanked me profusely as I headed out toward the office.
Taken 4/29/13
