I don't discount that they are a good thing. I'm certain to get flamed for some of my thoughts, but I'm going to let people vote a bit more, before I devulge my views and why I made this poll.
I would love to say that they should be all take and no give (I voted yes, but I am not so sure that I should have). I just worry about people taking advantage, but people take advantage of everything if given a chance, but I don't really think that that means that we should get rid of social programs such as soup kitchens and welfare.
I want to make sandwiches and pass them out all over town, after I'd get stoned first... sounds like fun. I also give smokes and money to ppl who ask me if I have some.
maybe after a certain amount of time going there people could volunteer there... like if they arent able to pay they can come a little early and help set up. i dont know
I don't think that we should get rid of them either, but I think more can be done through them to help those that they are feeding, than just being the free handout that most of them are.
Yeah, I totally agree with you there. So many people in my town hang around asking for handouts, most don't even need money or food, they are just scamming and I hate it because it gives a bad name to those who really are in need. If someone asks me for money I offer them food and 90% of the time they will refuse because they just want money. The other day this girl asked me for money and the next day I saw here in town talking on a cell phone I mean, I can't even afford a cell phone and she is asking me for money.
this is along the lines that I am thinking, but don't most communities need help in other areas than just making soup/feeding people? What I'm getting at is that I think the concept of a social service such as the Soup Kitchen is short sighted. More can be done for not just those who are in need, but the community who is trying to help those in need. give and take
^yeah i totally agree but im not quite sure how you'd go about doing that because i dont think you should force people... there are people with seriously mental and physical illnesses that its hard enough for them to get by day to day life, taking care of themselves and all that i wouldnt wanna force everyone to give back.
I agree 100% dhs. The poll wasn't up when I posted, hence my random reply. I think quid pro quo is a great way to run those. The only problem is many of the people they're feeding have given up and don't want to do any sort of work, which is why they need the soup kitchen. I understand that's not always the case, but we all know that many of the patrons are the same homeless people that use the money they spange to buy liquor instead of a razor and some clothes from goodwill to get a job.
I think force is necessary for some and help necessary for others. Some people who utilize social services such as Soup Kitchens are perfectly capable of contributing to society. Where I live and what brought about this thread, I would guestimate that 90% of those who simply take the free handout are capable of contributing. (I live about a hundred yards from the local Soup Kitchen) Others, indeed have mental and physical disabilities where they would require assistance to contribute to the community. I think if the right practices are employed, everyone can be included in a way to benefit to society. Some need a helping hand, others a swift kick in the ass.
I definitely agree with you that everyone can be a valuable member of the community in some way. It would be nice if we could all help out in some way.
A lot of them out here are run like habitat for humanity is managed out there, Participants are required to log in a certain amount of hours per week in for the organization that is providing the service. Out here they are multi-faceted organizations that offer job coaching and seeking services or volunteer work for ssi recievers so they are required to give back in some formeven if it is not working in the food bank or kitchen. It's cool because the companies are so huge that these people can actually find their talents, recieve vocational training, drug and alchohol counseling and have a chance at life. My only complaint is that soup kitchens should come to the suburbs and have lots of cookies and maybe a sundae bar?
yeah but you'd have to go through a fair and probably complicated process to determine who falls into which category or some where in between. i used to volunteer at a soup kitchen when i was younger and i remember being shocked about the nice clothes and jewerly that some of the people that went there had. but i mean who knows? maybe they had bought that stuff before and then fell into rough times. in any case... i dont think if someone needs to use a soup kitchen one or two times they should be forced into contributing... i think that should just be seen as "they had a bad month and had to come here a couple of times" but i agree.. if you are going to go there repeatly you shouldnt take without giving back
Truly? Are they required to do all that to get fed? Because those who are physically/mentally competent enough to do so, I feel should be required to do just that if they want to eat. Put in a little effort. In addition to the Wayside Soup Kitchen around the conner, there are multiple social service agencies in my neighborhood that are there to help those in need to get jobs and become self sufficient, whether it be by helping them with addiction, counseling or whatever. Instead of taking advantage of these great resources, most of them just hang out and bide their time until the free handouts come along at the kitchen. All I know is that the Soup Kitchen is open everyday from 11 until 1 and 5 until 7. For at least an hour before and after their times of service there are people who are just 'hanging out' and doing nothing when they are perfectly capable of doing something to help the community to hence, earn the meal that they are desiring. I don't necessarily mind that I live in this neigborhood. I actually quite enjoy it. But seeing some of these folks that are perfectly capable of geting jobs, even if they are minimum wage dead end jobs, just sitting on the corner outside of the resource centers, bumming smokes, begging for money for booze etc, it kinda pisses me off. I wish there was a person in a job that came outside of the kitchen and said, 'You want to eat?' Well then, lets go clean up the park down the street before you have your free lunch.
