Giving money to people on the street

I'm very sorry if I gave that impression Sparkle. It is better, in my opinion to give so smallish charities who support people directly. We have several good ones here.

Its an emotive and sad problem. I just can't fathom the gap between what grannyactivist expresses so well and people who somehow think the blame lies with the people on the streets.

My late FIL used to say you never know when you’ll need a bowl of soup. Giving to Shelter and the Salvation Army or donating clothes or time to the Homeless shelter in our town is my best effort. I used to buy the Big Issue until I saw the two women sellers who sell in our town getting together and climbing into a large, fairly new Audi at the end of the day. I know that’s probably not the case for all of them but that’s the impression that stays with me. It’s frightening how easily you can become homeless nowadays.

For the last few years I have volunteered at our local winter night shelter and with the salvation army distributing clothes to the homeless. I've met lots of homeless people and they vary so much in the reasons for being homeless and their desire to be housed or not. I have been warned about some who are persistent liars but I try to take people on trust as much as I can. Some are really grateful for everything they receive while others are 'picky' about what they are offered and refuse perfectly good stuff! At the end of the day they are all needy in some way. When we do the clothes distribution at the salvation army centre we often charge phones for the 'clients'. I never thought of the need for phones if you are on benefits so thanks to whoever mentioned that. Despite living on the streets some of them do have jobs or may come to us because they have an interview and want something to wear for it. Recently a girl came asking if we had make up to cover her acne for an interview. We didn't have any as it isn't the sort of thing people donate but I'd have brought her some from home if I'd known beforehand! There are also many who clearly have mental health problems and problems with drugs or alcohol. The night shelter has paid security men who stay overnight while the volunteers come for the evening to help with the meal and provide conversation etc for those who want it. Anyone who is found with alcohol or drugs is turned away. One regular wasn't around and when I asked about him it turned out he'd had some work and when he got paid he celebrated in the pub so was turned away! I never saw him at the shelter again but have seen him at the salvation army clothes distribution since. There but for the grace of God go any of us!

But people are still giving, oldbatty, just giving to the charities and outreach people who will see that donations go to the people who really need them. You speak as if that doesn't count.

www.skullfades.co.uk/skullfades-foundation.html

This is a very good organisation if anybody is interested.

Dear me, utter despair at some of these comments. Sadly in all situations a minority will take advantage.

I think most of us would reach for a little comfort to black out the horrors of " living" on the street.
Be it alcohol or the evil that is spice, it would take a will of steel to ignore these temptations.

We are all 2 pay packets away from the gutter.

I only give food or a hot drink as I worry about supporting a drink/drug habit.

Hmmm food for thought here.

There is a beggar with a dog and a crutch in Shrewsbury town. He looks like he lives on the streets dirty and unkempt and finds walking difficult. One dsy, I saw him running up the road without the crutch to put money in the parking meter.

There was a Friday night talk show some years ago and they discussed controversial topics. One week it was begging. A young lad was getting around a £1000 per month which was a lot in those days. A gentleman in the audience offered him a job saying he was enterprising and should make a good worker. The lad declined as he could get more money begging. This has always stuck with me.

I don't give to people on the street, I know there may be some genuine homeless. My son used to work in a bingo hall and there was a woman who sat across from it begging all day. At 5:30pm she used to go upstairs to her flat and come across and play bingo with the money. I give money, clothes toiletries and sleeping bags to homeless charities who will know who the genuine people are.

We had a homeless person very close to where I live begging for money. Someone bought him chips and a coffee and he refused it swearing at the doner. Turned out he had a flat about 2 miles away and was a regular in a pub near his flat! Amazing what you learn on the internet next door site as people were trying to get him somewhere to stay out of the cold and feeling so sorry for him. But regulars at the pub knew him well. I never donate to homeless people but give clothes to charities that hand them out to those genuinely living on the streets.

I did Anniebach my friend texted me to say her train had been cancelled so she’d be about half an hour. I sat on a bench whilst I waited. It was a sunny morning so it wasn’t a hardship.

Yes I get that. I was just putting out here what I’d witnessed. I don’t think giving to beggars is a good idea. Charities, yes, if you want to. Otherwise I’d feel like an ‘enabler’. We are all different I know.

You must had stood watching the poor man for ages Urmstongran

Beggars empty their cups Urmstongran, it makes sure no one can run past and steal it. A number of posters have commented that if they were homeless, drugs and alcohol may become inevitable, even they hadn't been the initial cause of homelessness. As for sniffing drugs, it seems sniffing cocaine has become a fairly regular part of dinner parties in some wealthier parts of the country.
There but for the grace of God...

In our town centre there’s often a man with the ‘dog on a string’. He seems to do quite well for money around 3:30pm when the secondary school girls go past him. After they pass he ups and goes. One day I was waiting for a friend and watched him from a distance. He kept counting the change in his empty coffee cup carton, putting most of it in his pocket and setting the empty or almost back in front of the dog. Whilst I was there a mate of his went up to him, they both went into a telephone box and came out pinching their noses (drugs). Then the beggar passed his mate some money from his pocket and he went into the bookies across the road.

I remember my son making a sandwich from turkey and taking it to someone in a doorway one Christmas when he was 12 or 13.I was so proud of him. An act of kindness ,however small, is never wasted.

My brother died aged 52. He was an alcoholic. He could so easily have been on the street if he hadn't had us. He was a lovely person who sadly became addicted. People shouldn't judge.(*GG*)
I try to help anyone I can. I buy food or give money on the streets depending on how I judge the situation. Also give to homeless charities Salvation Army and food banks. (as well as Cancer charities etc) I am glad I am able to.

Has anyone on Gransnnet been homeless?
If so would it be something we'd be ashamed to admit to?

Gabriella G54 I think your post is lowering the tone of Gransnet. I think you have written those rude comments to be inflammatory. In God's eyes we are all equal.

I support the local foodbank by just adding donations of tins or packets when i shop. I cant afford to give money to beggars but i dont notice a couple of tins of soup from my shopping

I have missed some weeks of benefit payments because of changing circumstances, and not feeling strong enough (bearing in mind I am in my warm home, using a landline, and with a coffee in hand) to spend over an hour waiting to get through to the dwp.
I decided my mental heath was more important than trying to explain my situation over and over, or to have to go to the soul destroying job centre.

I am seldom in the city but when I am I usually give something to a begger or two. If I see someone smoking or picking up nips, I will give them my cigarettes and a spare lighter as I know what it is like to be desperate for a ciggie. I know it is only a drop in the bucket. BUT, being brutally honest with myself, I realise that I do this, principally, because it makes me feel good. Much more satisfying than a regular arms length donation to a homeless charity.

The local town has both Salvation Army and Shelter Charity Shops, I am a regular donator and buyer, often buying an outfit for an event and handing it back in a week later Just another way to help the homeless.

* going, not gong.

Well said Iam64. I was gong to answer the said post but thought better of it as I'm not known for being tactful such as yourself.