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SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
67. Thank you.
Wed Dec 26, 2012, 03:34 AM
Dec 2012

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.

Wonderful words. Whovian Dec 2012 #1
glad that you are no longer on the streets, hope all is going well for you. niyad Dec 2012 #2
kick . . .n/t annabanana Dec 2012 #3
Thank you for these good suggestions. LiberalEsto Dec 2012 #4
Thanks for the list lunatica Dec 2012 #5
OMG, I have quite a bit of what you list and I do have a homeless "friend" who is paranoid schizo monmouth3 Dec 2012 #6
With her being a woman a dark blanket can mean the difference of life and death. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #10
Toothbrush! Daveparts3 Dec 2012 #7
Hygiene in general. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #9
Thank you for sharing your insight siligut Dec 2012 #8
K&R !!! n/t RKP5637 Dec 2012 #11
Thank you! GreenPartyVoter Dec 2012 #12
Thank you for this, madamesilverspurs Dec 2012 #13
I hope everyone shares it. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #16
Are their no prisons? And the union workhouses - are they still in operation? Demo_Chris Dec 2012 #14
Ah, A Christmas Carol. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #15
AND SOCKS!!! Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #17
And foot powder to avoid the toe and nail rot. Lionessa Dec 2012 #34
Socks absolutely. Sometimes that's all they have for shoes. Just socks. calimary Dec 2012 #60
Sadly that is true. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #61
Signs for homeless listing these. ErikJ Dec 2012 #18
Soon you won't see anyone flying or shaking a can for anything. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #30
knr Douglas Carpenter Dec 2012 #19
Thank you for this list, LFR. Aristus Dec 2012 #20
I think that is the most over-looked necessity of the homeless and impoverished: me b zola Dec 2012 #26
That is something many forget. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #50
That's what people like that don't understand (or refuse to understand...): Aristus Dec 2012 #62
Very informative underpants Dec 2012 #21
What orgs to give to? nt Honeycombe8 Dec 2012 #22
look in your local phone book or google search for your area. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #33
A lot of food banks also do much more, serving as community resource centers pinboy3niner Dec 2012 #46
Great post. Thank you for taking the time to write it. Politicub Dec 2012 #23
It is so sad that this OP is so necessary today. Live and Learn Dec 2012 #24
and money .... shireen Dec 2012 #25
Be careful doing that depending on your area. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #45
thanks for the tips shireen Dec 2012 #68
K&R Jamastiene Dec 2012 #27
... Mnemosyne Dec 2012 #28
I made friends with a homeless guy FiggyJay Dec 2012 #29
That is the other currency on the street. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #49
one can NEVER underestimate the importance of "squares" datasuspect Dec 2012 #79
thanks for the post otherone Dec 2012 #31
Flash light and batteries. Lionessa Dec 2012 #32
Good one! So is a radio. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #38
This isn't the exact brand, reflection Dec 2012 #78
K & R !!! - Thank You For That !!! WillyT Dec 2012 #35
how about umbrellas or anything else if it rains ? JI7 Dec 2012 #36
Best thing for the rain is things like the those rain tarps Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #37
A kick due to add on on list. n/t Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #39
Excellent info. Will share with my scout groups cpamomfromtexas Dec 2012 #40
Thank you! Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #41
Thanks for the excellent information. senseandsensibility Dec 2012 #42
Sadly, the need is all year long. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #43
Are gently used ohheckyeah Dec 2012 #51
YES! Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #52
I usually give clothes ohheckyeah Dec 2012 #53
K&R Squinch Dec 2012 #44
Thank you wellstone dem Dec 2012 #47
K+R. Thank you. RedCappedBandit Dec 2012 #48
There is a homeless woman who sleeps a block from my home. Hatchling Dec 2012 #54
Many cops don't usually bother homeless women due to the lack of places for them in many areas. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #57
definitely bookmarking. liberal_at_heart Dec 2012 #55
Thanks for the tips. Pretzel_Warrior Dec 2012 #56
Thank you Digit Dec 2012 #58
Great way to start. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #59
Thank you for this - only someone who has been there can really know. Raksha Dec 2012 #63
Great tips upi402 Dec 2012 #64
awesome list LittleGirl Dec 2012 #65
St Vincent De Paul Thrift Stores in Tucson Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #99
K&R SunSeeker Dec 2012 #66
Thank you. SheilaT Dec 2012 #67
kr Norrin Radd Dec 2012 #69
This is one of the best posts I have found on DU. Thank you. kelliekat44 Dec 2012 #70
I will start going through my closets today. tblue Dec 2012 #71
My local food bank issues "Wish Lists". These are great because... Walk away Dec 2012 #72
If our 1% government cannot provide shelter for the homeless, it could at least merrily Dec 2012 #73
oh good point on the pop top can goods SmileyRose Dec 2012 #86
Walk in centers. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #94
Great OP. UnrepentantLiberal Dec 2012 #74
Good suggestions. tradecenter Dec 2012 #75
What is a "massager bag," please? reflection Dec 2012 #76
Right - she misspelled "messenger bag." Raksha Dec 2012 #81
Fixed it. Sorry about that. n/t Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #93
Great thread! Remmah2 Dec 2012 #77
knr. and thank you! nt G_j Dec 2012 #80
Thanks for posting. You've opened my eyes. hamsterjill Dec 2012 #82
Having been homeless myself last year, I can give you a few reasons why... HamstersFromHell Dec 2012 #84
I hope you do expand upon your thoughts and post the results as a new OP. Raksha Dec 2012 #88
Thank you for the information. hamsterjill Dec 2012 #89
I know, people don't think when it comes to the food thing. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #90
There are a lot of reasons. But here are a few. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #95
The grandkids libodem Dec 2012 #83
Churches are a great place Iwillnevergiveup Dec 2012 #85
Please do. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #96
best post I have ever seen on DU SmileyRose Dec 2012 #87
THANK YOU for thee guidance! loyalsister Dec 2012 #91
Please do! Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #92
kick Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2012 #97
thank you so much for these tips watch the sky Dec 2012 #98
Kick. Lady Freedom Returns Jan 2013 #100
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