Salvation Army Bell Ringer at Food 4 Less

Rode back from Stockton, CA today after a couple of hours of Bike Riding. Whenever I ride back using Lower Sacramento Road, I usually stop at Food 4 Less to obtain a 35cent can of Soda at the machines located at the entrance of this store. The signature Red-​Cloaked Salvation Army Bell Ringers are out in force at this time of year.
Conversed with the middle-​aged lady about how the donations were going… not very much donating… probably because of the Economy. I walked past her to the Soda Machines… inserted 35cents… Dime got rejected. Tried again… Dime got rejected again! The Bell Ringer saw my predicament and offered a bottle of water from her own stash — No, I replied, this machine is going to take this money. Next time I tried — the machine kept both the Quarter and the Dime! Got it back though. «Are you sure you don’t want my bottle of water?» «No, it’s OK.» «This water is delicious…» — Trying to tempt me… After another rejection the Soda Machine eventually took my money and I got a Soda.
The Bell Ringer said the bottle of water tasted sooo good… I took a glance at the bottle and saw that it was flavored with Lemon.
I mentioned to her that the lines at the Salvation Army Food Bank in Lodi (
) were almost a block long — Sad.
«Nice to meet you» I said as I rode off — after I gave put in a few Dollars in the Donation Kettle… «Thanks, anyway…»