# ideal things to handout to the homeless? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 9, 2011, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452 "2011-07-09T22:47:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/61 "2011-07-12T05:22:59Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > Can we stop with the socks thing, please? > I’m cracking up with the vision of some bum starving to death, with 15 pairs of socks in his hands. No food, so he offers to sell socks. “Hey, everybody, look at these cool socks I bought from that bum on the corner! Only cost me a dollar!” They have food, in fact the homeless are fairly well fed. Around here a active person can get 4-5 meals a day, just by being in the right place. **Nzinga, Seated** is right about that. They have clothes- lots of used clothes- but people do not donate used socks (and there’s sanitary issues also) so they need socks. They want junk food also. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/62 "2011-07-12T12:31:58Z")
On occasion if they asked for money for food, and they were right next to a convenient food establishment, I would offer to go in with them and buy them a meal. Some are very appreciative and sometimes I will spend time talking with them. Others make their dissatisfaction with my offer known, occasionally still talking me up on the offer. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/63 "2011-07-12T12:48:48Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > In Indianapolis, we had a coalition of churches that were providing tents and sleeping bags to homeless. The result was tent cities and huge centralized groups of homeless that quickly became a public health and safety hazard. I’m sure you can guess what the coalition’s response was when the service providers tell them how much harder their job is now since the coalition started “helping”. How was that more of a public health and safety hazard than all the same homeless people distributed around the city _without_ shelter? I can see that gathering them together makes the hazards more readily _visible_. ---
**Author:** ![Foxy40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Foxy40](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foxy40)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/64 "2011-07-12T14:23:42Z")
In the summer I carry bottled water, in the winter, blankets. However, I always give cash as well. People have told me I am a fool for giving cash to people that are pan handling because often times they either spend it on drugs or have a place to live and simply don’t want to work. I look at it this way, they couldn’t pay me enough to stand out in the florida sun with a sign at 7am through 5pm. As far as I am concerned, if this is there preferred job, more power to them. They aren’t hurting anyone and they aren’t spending all day in bed or in front of a tv. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/65 "2011-07-12T14:28:21Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > They have food, in fact the homeless are fairly well fed. Around here a active person can get 4-5 meals a day, just by being in the right place. **Nzinga, Seated** is right about that… Nzinga, Seated is right about a _lot_ of things, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/66 "2011-07-12T14:34:07Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > How was that more of a public health and safety hazard than all the same homeless people distributed around the city _without_ shelter? > > I can see that gathering them together makes the hazards more readily _visible_. People near each other pass diseases to each other much more readily than a dispersed population. The homeless population becomes a greater vector of communicable disease, as well as sicker overall, which is itself a public health concern, since they use public medical resources. People congregating also congregate their waste. 1 person pooping in the park is unsightly and gross. 200 people pooping in the park renders the park unusable. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/67 "2011-07-12T14:40:25Z")
Having been homeless and unemployed, I am appalled at some of the answers in this thread. I can tell you I appreciated every person who gave me food. You can buy gift cards at most groceries. For anyone who is homeless, being able to pick out what they want to eat is a treat. I am currently on food stamps. I habe had people tell me how I should not be spending them on those items while waiting in the check out line. Some people think food stamps should not be used for junk food, or even sugarless drink mixes (why can’t you drink water). I think you should ask yourself how many paychecks are you away from welfare, homelessness and being thought of as less of a human being? ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/68 "2011-07-12T14:56:07Z")
Maybe you “can’t believe” that a homeless person would angrily refuse food or get aggressive when you don’t give them what they want, but I assure you, it happens constantly. The visible street-living homeless largely have very profound psychological and addiction problems that I am certain you, **Annie X-mas** , do not have. This makes them not the most polite people at times. As for people who want to judge your use of food assistance, they are assholes. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/69 "2011-07-12T15:04:14Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > How was that more of a public health and safety hazard than all the same homeless people distributed around the city _without_ shelter? > > I can see that gathering them together makes the hazards more readily _visible_. As Hello Again mentioned, consolidating human waste in one area is a public health hazard. Also, disease is more easily transmitted in such an environment, especially when there are no social services attached to this environment to screen for any issues that would normally be treated in a shelter. Additionally, large groups of homeless people make an area unsafe (large groups of most groups make an area unsafe, especially if they’re setting up camp and calling it home). ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/70 "2011-07-12T15:22:49Z")
Since it is summer you may also consider handing out pairs of cheap flip-flops as well. Often I see street people wearing makeshift shoes (plastic bags from the drugstore tied around their feet, torn up shoes wrapped in old, grimy duct tape, etc.) and many might like to have something with a solid sole on the bottom to protect their feet. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/71 "2011-07-12T15:52:19Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > _I’ve got a job for you. You can show up drunk_ Hey, are you still hiring? ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/72 "2011-07-12T16:27:22Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Hey, are you still hiring? Thanks for giving me something to laugh about concerning that post. Because the whole ‘you can show up drunk’ shit was turning my stomach. Can there be a more smug, annoying, condescending way to approach a person in need; whether or not they actually wanted work? ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/73 "2011-07-12T17:29:05Z")
Socks are a very good answer, but take them out of the package and wash them with something unscented first. And only get cotton. Foot care is a serious problem for the homeless. First aid packs with large size antibiotic gel and bandages. A canister of [Hand Wipes](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=hand+wipes&hl=en&biw=1393&bih=772&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11521066861268485554&sa=X&ei=4oEcTqDlGeXc0QH4lomzBw&ved=0CIgBEPMCMAM4Cg#) The USO includes these in the packets they send out to soldiers. Not to wash their hands, but because with 9 or 10 you can get relatively clean and stink-free. Cleanliness is one of the biggest bars to work for the homeless. It’s fairly easy to get a meal in most large cities, but getting clean so that the McManager will take you seriously when you ask for a job is qutie difficult. If there’s a laundramat close by, a gift card can go a long way. Meal coupons for a local restaurant. Fast food is better than nothing, but if there’s a more nutritious place, use that. Query the manager to be sure they can get a glass of water (at least) and some food without having to come up with cash on top of it. McDonald’s used to sell booklets of coupons to cover a full meal. Not ideal, but hey, anything is better than nothing. Bottle of vitamin pills, or daily packets. A coupon for fast food goes further if you also have a vitamin to take. Small bottles of aspirin or tylenol. The homeless are often in pain, and can’t afford these things. Tarps. Also those big Ikea bags. In the Winter time gloves and hats. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/74 "2011-07-12T18:51:36Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I nod and say hello to those who speak to me, and smile when they compliment me. It’s not helpful in a tangible sense, but I imagine they spend their whole day being ignored, so why not treat them like people? First of all, good for you for being such a good person. A few weeks ago I was walking past a couple of homeless guys, and stopped to apologize that I had nothing to give them. I can’t remember exactly what we talked about, but I mentioned something about how terrible it must be to be homeless, and I asked what their lives were like. They said that my asking and empathizing was worth more than any amount of money I could give them. They were so happy that someone saw them as men who deserved dignity. I will never forget that. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/75 "2011-07-12T20:52:29Z")
A job application. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/76 "2011-07-12T22:48:42Z")
I don’t know if this has been mentioned yet, but a lot of homeless are actually receiving services. Like that guy I mentioned earlier. He gets disability and foodstamps. I’m sure he’s on Medicaid–someone has to be paying for his anti-psychotics. Haldol is a hard-core drug, and has horrible side-effects. I can tell this guy is dealing with them. And I can also tell that the Haldol is only partially helping him with his mental illness. So he self-medicates with alcohol. Really not a good thing for his health, but I know how it is when your head feels like it’s ready to explode and nothing else in the world exists except that pain. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. So how can I sit in judgment of him for doing whatever it takes to deal with it? He has no one to assure him it will be okay during those moments. No one to hold his hand and give him hope. Except for booze. His food stamps sometimes run out, usually a week or so before they start up again. Maybe he’s not responsible with how he spends his allotment; I wouldn’t assume he is based on the labored conversations I’ve had with him. Or maybe he simply does not get enough. That’s possible too. Either way, if I happen to see him towards the end of the month and he asks for help to get him through the week, I try to give him something. I don’t care that there are missions he could go to. Maybe he’d like to enjoy some things that the mission doesn’t provide, like fresh coffee or ice cream. I volunteered at a church soup kitchen once, and while we fed the people with some pretty good stuff, I imagine the fare doesn’t change too much from day to day. So yeah, not all homeless are starving wretches. Some have some safety net that’s keeping them afloat. They beg to make up the difference between that minimal existence and the one they see everyone else having. That’s why I never feel real guilty when I pass by someone. But just because someone isn’t starving doesn’t mean they aren’t in need. All the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the world isn’t going to take away the despair that comes with having no home, family, friends, and good mental and physical healthcare. ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452/77 "2011-07-14T04:18:54Z")
[You can always give them hope.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnfBhXeG03U) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideal-things-to-handout-to-the-homeless/588452.md?page=3)