QUOTE(Elisabeth Hollow @ Apr 18 2013, 12:12 PM)

QUOTE(Grits @ Apr 18 2013, 05:49 AM)

That stinks for the van lady. Is there a 24 hour Wal-Mart near you? That might be a safer place for her to park overnight.
Yeah, there is, but shed have to drudge up the gas money to get there. I may lend her some money to get her van there.
If she can't afford gas to get to the Walmart, she would probably get food with the money instead. There is no way to lend someone money in a situation like that, it has to be a gift with no expectation of recompense.
If there is a lunch counter nearby (walking range**), inviting her to lunch and listening to her story (then give her some gas money and directions to the Walmart 24 hour parking lot) is a good idea, and you may find out some other ways she could use help in the conversation. (YWCA bed for the night, or a Women's shelter, etc).
** (You don't want to invite the stranger to ride in your car with you till you are sure it is a safe idea)