Tough Love For Homeless Folk

[Markus]

Just heard a worker for a homeless charity say that you shouldn't give homeless folk begging money. If you want to help them, go to the nearest shop and buy them a sandwich or a cup of tea.  Rational is that they might spend the money on booze or drugs, and force them more to seek help or change their circumstance.  This worker obviously knows best working for this charity, it just seems mean and i think i'd feel bad if i didn't give them a few pounds.

What do you think?

[Half Machine Lipschitz]

If everyone who wanted to give a homeless guy something gave him a sandwich, that'd be a whole bunch of sandwiches that wouldn't get eaten, I reckon. Their lives are miserable enough as it is - give 'em the means to escape it for a while I say.

[~ / % ? *]

Money, food, hugs, etc., are all small potatoes to the larger problems of addiction, unaffordable housing, mental health, etc.,

[oh oooh]

Yeah, it's a tough one but I tend to agree with John. If they need a couple of cans of Special Brew to get them through the night, then sort that out for them. And yes, I know the arguments against that, but in the end if we want to help then it should be on their terms and not ours.

[harrylemon]

I do both, guy sits outside our local Marks. I ask him what he wants, usually a chicken and bacon sandwich and a bottle of Irn Bru. I do my shopping, give him his food and whatever change I have in my pocket.

[oh oooh]

Aug 8, 2022 14:27:15 GMT harrylemon said:

I do both, guy sits outside our local Marks. I ask him what he wants, usually a chicken and bacon sandwich and a bottle of Irn Bru. I do my shopping, give him his food and whatever change I have in my pocket.

That's key, isn't it? 

[souphound]

I hardly ever have change in my pockets any more though, what with using debit cards everywhere.

I have done the food thing on occasion but I can't do it every time. If one is begging outside or near a grocery store, a dollar store or a fast food outlet, that seems appropriate and manageable. One guy near here has an interesting twist. He sits outside the grocery store and people leave their dogs with him while they do their shopping. That way the animal gets attention and company along with a walk getting to and fro rather than getting left at home during the chore.

I have never given in to those begging outside the liquor store though.

And I'm sorry but if the poor soul is already slaughtered, then I am less tempted to "help out".

[harrylemon]

Aug 8, 2022 14:34:17 GMT oh oooh said:

Aug 8, 2022 14:27:15 GMT harrylemon said:

I do both, guy sits outside our local Marks. I ask him what he wants, usually a chicken and bacon sandwich and a bottle of Irn Bru. I do my shopping, give him his food and whatever change I have in my pocket.

That's key, isn't it? 

As long as it keeps Adam in vinegar. Apparently I've got health problems now along with my community work. No idea what health problems I have or what community work I do.

Not like Adam to get things wrong about me. Again.

Hope your Mum is doing well x.