General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Some things that you may not think about when giving to the homeless. [View all]SheilaT
(23,156 posts)You have given me much to think about.
I am involved in a local program to help feed the homeless, and it's something I get great joy from. I think very hard about what I will fix when I am cooking for them. I try very hard to make things that I myself would want to eat. I get many compliments on my food. I also consider these people our guests, at the homeless shelter. I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like for them.
I've been doing this for about four years now, and I should be doing more. I appreciate your suggestions. I know that homelessness is a huge problem, with multiple causes, and few things make me angrier than the people who airily proclaim that the homeless are homeless by choice. I can tell, as I'm serving food to our guests, that some have been on the streets for a long time, some are new to this, and some . . . well I can't tell. I do believe that each one has an individual story and that they probably would much rather have a permanent place to live. I try very hard to treat the guests with dignity and respect. Because at the end of my shift I get to go home to my small home, but it's mine, and I'm in almost no danger of losing it and living on the street. They don't have this luxury.
So now I think I'll contact the homeless shelter I work with, and ask what they most need in the clothes closet and get some of those things.