The Chicken and Rice Man
Here’s a story that will warm your heart. For three years, Jorge Munoz, a school bus driver in Queens, has been feeding the homeless, preparing meals in the kitchen of his tiny apartment. He funds this operation almost entirely himself from his $600 weekly paycheck.
Every day, he rises at 4:45, and on weekdays he works from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. After work, he goes home, and along with the help of his mother and sister, begins the task of delivering food to dozens of homeless day laborers, who affectionately refer to him as “The Chicken and Rice Man.” He’s there every night at 9:30.
I love this story. Thanks to disembedded for posting it. His website contains a video about Jorge Munoz, and a link to the New York Times’ story on him.
CuriousC said,
November 29, 2007 at 8:55 am
YES! Just when the world seems a too-scary place, we hear about amazing people doing what they can.
moonbeammcqueen said,
November 29, 2007 at 12:31 pm
@ Curious C: I wish I could find a website that was filled with stuff like this. It counteracts all of the awful stuff we’re bombarded with on a daily basis. What a guy!
cantueso said,
November 29, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Very nice. And it is also a good (and time saving) idea to report on other people’s doings.
cantueso said,
November 29, 2007 at 3:18 pm
(Are you sure that link is right?)
moonbeammcqueen said,
November 29, 2007 at 4:27 pm
@ Cantueso: Go to the first link. The second one is just the home page for disembedded’s blog.
Ion Danu said,
November 29, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Really touching story but I have to say I couldn’t do it . The sceptikal nature of my mind (one can say my dirty mind) and my 1/2 catholic breeding make me suppose this guy made a big sin sometimes in his youth and wants (which is great – there are a lot of sinners who couldnt care less…) to be redemeed… It’s almost too good to be true… But that’s just my dirty mind… I WISH there weren’t no second thoughts and behind the scenea…
moonbeammcqueen said,
November 29, 2007 at 9:43 pm
@ Ion: If he did commit some sin in his past (which never really crossed my mind), thank goodness that so many people are benefiting from his penance! In this case, the motive seems unimportant– look at how many bellies he’s filling!
CuriousC said,
November 30, 2007 at 10:15 am
I may have found one! You inspired me to google/dogpile for ‘good news only’ and I found this:
http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
Check it out – it may be what we are looking for?! Have a super dooper day, “C”
Ion Danu said,
November 30, 2007 at 11:52 am
Of course, his motivation isn,t as importatn as his deeds. You’re right. It’s just so highly unusual to see so unselfish and dedicated people…
moonbeammcqueen said,
November 30, 2007 at 12:29 pm
@ CuriousC: Thank you for the link! I’ve subscribed. Hopefully, it’ll counteract some of the daily bombardment of gloom and doom.
@ Ion: It is unusual. That’s why it’s such a nice story!
K said,
November 30, 2007 at 2:33 pm
I’m so glad you posted this. My otherwise cynical attitude needed an adjustment today.
moonbeammcqueen said,
November 30, 2007 at 3:42 pm
@ K: Your positive post adjusted my attitude too– and your curry recipe!
David said,
December 1, 2007 at 12:24 am
Heartwarming indeed. We can only hope that whatever drives Jorge, also drives billions of others on this beautiful planet.
thanks for this post moonbeam, it’s very uplifting.
moonbeammcqueen said,
December 1, 2007 at 1:46 am
@ David: I hope so too. That would be quite wonderful.
QuakerDave said,
December 2, 2007 at 7:34 pm
A great story for a day when I’m feeling quite fed up and cynical. But of course, it called this quote to mind:
“When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.” – Dom Helder Camara, Brazilian archbishop
moonbeammcqueen said,
December 2, 2007 at 8:05 pm
@ Quaker Dave: I’m so glad to see you here! As you know, I get fed up and cynical too, which is why it’s so nice to read stories like this one. When we start complaining of being bombarded by too much good news, we’ll know that the world is on the right track.
jonathan said,
March 9, 2009 at 5:22 am
So shines a good deed in a weary world ” willy wonka
angela said,
March 21, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I had no idea someone with such humanity could exist on this planet. Jorge Munoz must be a living angel. How selfish I am going day to day only worrying about my own existence and well being. JM is wonderful
Hiran Fernando said,
March 21, 2009 at 9:43 pm
What a great man thinking of others with his low pay check. How can I get contact him. Need to donate him to carry out his work