If you were expecting no to be the only answer, read on for a thoughtful surprise.

Heres a small sampling of their responses, and some of them may surprise you.

Admittedly, my own knee-jerk reaction landed in this category.

Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Credit:Monica Farber

That said, your contribution neednt cost money or be complicated or over-the-top to be meaningful and appreciated.

Flowers from your garden or an offer to clean up, wrote one reader.

Others suggested store-bought cookies or chips, a bag of ice, or paper products.

I would feed them as much as they could eat and send them home with leftovers for days.

We just never know when someone is down on their luck and needs a hand.