You know, they say you should never give a vagrant money because he may spend it on drugs. But giving him food would solve that problem. Or, I think I said once on a message board, the Big Boy restaurants used to offer coupons, each worth 50 cents towards a dinner. I don't know if they still do that. But they do have gift cards now. You could give a homeless person just enough on a card to buy a small meal. And, don't even let one into you home. He might rob you or be violent. What you could do then is pay for his stay a couple of nights at a cheap motel like a Motel 6. They used to be $6 a night. But now they are about $33 a night, which is still one of the cheapest prices.
There are food banks that have a selection of items for free. Depending upon state/locality there may be different programs to assist those who need help. There's food stamps known now as SNAP, a federal program. The real problem is with housing. There's not enough and it's too expensive.
I give em change. I can't prove what they're gonna use it on, and once it's outta my hands it's none of my business.
Have you ever thought that giving them change could be feeding their drug habit, making their problems worse and that it represents a complete waste of your money. That's the polite way to describe what you say you do! Don't even buy them vouchers. I've seen some of them with vouchers trying to sell them for cash. Dry socks is a BIG thing they need if they're on the streets. For women, sanitary stuff is also important.
Have you ever thought that giving them some change might be enough to get them a hotel or a hot meal? I don't attempt to predict what they're going to do. I'm not a psychic. And when I was homeless people did not decide to deny me based on pointless accusations. Plus a restaurant is not always close at hand. If i give someone money it's not up to me to tell them what to do with it.
Sure; you do you. Make yourself feel better. Those who work with homeless people have said to me that the worst thing to do is give money because desperate people don't spend wisely.
"Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.” Thomas Merton
I need food but don't have the pride to ask.. Which is why I make an anonymous account. I've dealt with way too much in life, especially the last 4-5 years. I don't eat a thing until night, and all I have now is rice and I usually get diarrhea after even a little bit and then just quit, because I wouldn't be able to keep anything down.
Gosh. I wish there was something I could do. I mean, that's horrible, but you already know that. But I agree with Vee: if you need help, don't be afraid to ask. I'm in a similar situation and have asked for any and everything I can. I even qualified for an EBT card which I surprised me. I never would have known that if I haven't asked. I'm sorry. I know you didn't ask for advice or input. But your situation sounds pretty rough and there might be help out there.
I guess I just can't take rejection anymore, either... I had something else transpire since, and it's taken a to, so much, I don't want to mention what's happened in the last two days, especially because I don't think there's anything to be done. I usually regret most of my posts.
