This might sound weird but I live in an area filled with so many homeless people (San Francisco), and I thought it might be nice, instead of ignoring people when ask me for cash/etc, to have something in my backpack that I could easily grab and hand out to make their day a little better.
If you think this idea’s ridiculous let me know, but I’m wondering what might be ideal in terms of things like nutrition, happiness, price, etc. I’m thinking some snack or something in little packages that I can buy in a large quantity from a bulk store or something.
The most immediate human bodily need, apart from breathing, is drinking, so in theory, a bottled drink would be a good choice. In practice, I think you might find the recipients disappointed not to be receiving the money they asked for.
Probably true. There are so many stories of homeless people asking for cash who get angry if someone offers them food instead. The reality is that a lot of panhandlers are soliciting cash to use at the liquor store or to buy drugs. That’s why I personally would never give cash to a panhandler. But if you think they would be receptive then offering them some little comfort like a drink or some clean socks might be a nice thing to do.
I used to be involved with a charity called Lovebags. We made ziplock bags that included:
A non-perishable, non-cook entree like vienna sausage, shelf-stable chicken salad, etc
a snack, such as crackers or a granola bar
a single serving can (PULL TAB!) of fruit
a bottle of water
a clean pair of socks
Sometimes we’d include pudding, soap, or other items.
I keep several in my car, and offer them to people begging at various intersections. Sometimes they don’t care…sometimes they love it. I usually start with “would you like some food?” or “are you hungry?”
Ferret Herder’s point about being able to chew is good…lots of homeless have bad teeth.
Also, many of them have diabetes. Try to avoid sweets.
He only had a dollar to live on 'til next Monday
But he spent it on some comfort for his mind
Did you say you think he’s blind?–Snowblind Friend by Steppenwolf
I sometimes give cash, and I really don’t care how they spend it. Not for me to judge a man in that condition. If a hit of whatever he can get makes his life suck less for just a little while, the money was well spent.
That’s what I’d recommend. You can usually get them from fast food places and pharmacies in increments as low as $5, and even though technically they could just be sold, they’re a good solution for people who want to give but are afraid their money will go to drugs. Just don’t get them for somewhere like Starbucks, where their money won’t go far.
When I lived in Eugene, a day-center had cards printed up with directions to the center, a coupon for a free meal <think they were free anyway> and I think a number to call collect for a ride. If someone needs so much help they’re asking from strangers, they probably need more help than you can give. San Fran’s a big place; certainly there are day shelters that have similar cards you could give out. Maybe?
Okay, Bruce will give them a half-hour of preaching and promote his classes in reading and writing or carpentry, but it’s a meal and (hopefully) a beginning of something better.
I think this is awesome of you, OP. I would suggest you throw a dollar in with the goodies. Yes, they may buy a can of beer or something. I would throw it in anyways.
I ran a maintenance company in Kansas City for several years. I would give them my business card and say “Can you sweep a floor? I’ve got a job for you. You can show up drunk.”
When I was a smoker I used to give them the packet of cigarettes I had in my pocket and explain that I had no cash. In those days all the homeless seemed to smoke but I don’t know if they still do.
When homeless people ask me for money, I give them money. I don’t care what they spend it on. If I can make someone’s day a little better, I will do it.
Well some homeless people aren’t allowed into certain places, 'cause they’re banned.
Shelters are not the ideal places you see on TV. They’re pretty bad. They’re full of lice, roaches, bed begs. Most are nothing more than large rooms with cots. You stay overnight with 30 men in one room snoring and well you can just imagine how restful it’s gonna be.
Then if you do fall alseep, you have to worry about thieves.
About the only thing you can give is money. If you give bus passes or a Starbucks card, they’ll only sell it for pennies on the dollar. In other words your $10.00 gift card at Starbucks given to a homeless person is going to be sold for $1.00 to some yuppie.
You might as well give him the buck in the first place.
People mean well and their heart is in the right place, but condescension isn’t going to be welcomed.
As for the “You can show up drunk,” I’m not surprised you got no takers. No one is going to take an offer like that seriously.
Uh…if I were homeless and I got an offer like this, I probably wouldn’t show up either. Even if the card looked legit. Because it sounds like the beginning of a tragic story.
I show up and get beaten and raped.
I show up and get sold as a sex slave.
I show up and I’m killed by an ax murderer.
I show up, put in a full day’s job, and I don’t get paid. And there’s nothing I can do about it except shuffle along angrily.
Being homeless does make you desperate, and therefore vunerable to exploitation. A homeless person who cares about their life and safety would be wise to ask some questions about you and your company before just showing up to do work.
However, I do think your heart is definitely in the right place. It’s unfortunate no one at least called to check out whether you were on the up-and-up.
I’ve worked in a homeless related field for the last 6 years, and I haven’t given a thing to panhandlers. I know far too many of them aren’t homeless, that the ones who are homeless know full well where they can receive assistance with little to no hassle, and no one in this city is going hungry or without a meal (at least anyone on the street isn’t). The very best thing you can do with your time and resources is to find an organization that you know is doing good work with good outcomes, and give *them *your time/talent/treasure.
I don’t begrudge anyone who does give handouts. There is definitely a visceral, immediate satisfaction to it. But I’ll always steer people towards maximizing the chances that their good intentions turn into actual good results.
