Something to consider...

[dmn57]

Our adopted hometown has a growing homelessness problem with no real resolution in sight. There is a lot of talk from the local government on what is going to be done to address the issue but none of it is going to occur anytime soon. Recently a rundown, crime-ridden hotel was shut down, displacing around 700 people, many of them children, just as the temperature started dropping. I realize homelessness is a vastly complicated problem and although mental illness and drug abuse are key, they are not the only factors. Some people just can't seem to get their lives together even when trying to the best of their abilities.

This morning while taking a break from prepping for Thanksgiving with our daughters and friends, I came across another article in the local online newspaper discussing the newly homeless and soliciting donations which are to be managed by a local utility company. I considered what we have and then those that have much less, and couldn't get to my credit card fast enough. By most accounts, I'm a crusty old fart who believes in a hand up versus a handout, but I don't think in this great country of ours anyone should go hungry or be without a roof over their head, especially kids. When I saw some of the most recently displaced it triggered something deep down inside.

We on the forum are a very diverse group in many ways but I believe at the core we are all good folks. If you don't already, and I would imagine many do, please take a minute to consider the less fortunate. Even the smallest donation can help at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

Thanks for reading.

 

[30-30remchester]

One of my sleepless in bed thinking subjects is homeless shelters. I worked in very adverse outdoor conditions and protection from the elements was always on my mind. There are many companies now that produce cheap small living quarters. The neatest and cheapest and easily movable and ease of setup is a company that produces small one or two person shelters from semi hard packing foam in the shape of a tent. Put together with wide Velcro straps. Three pieces and several minutes later you have a waterproof shelter with reflective heat absorbing liner, your body heat is all the warmth needed. Weighing merely pounds it seems to be a quick, yet not permanent solution to cold nights and homeless people. And they are cheap. The company is called IGLOU. We have a homeless man in our town, and I am checking into purchasing one for him.

 

[somorris]

Homelessness is a difficult problem. A lot of people, through addiction and/or mental illness, bring it on themselves and are really difficult to really help. Unfortunately, kids often get dragged into homelessness with their addicted parents. My wife and I do what we can to support local organizations that house and feed those folks who just cannot really make it in our economy. Do what you can, but the poor we will always have with us.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Homelessness is common in Houston. We have organized shelters and services, but many of the homeless prefer the unsupervised camps. An elderly lady volunteer trying to help was severely beaten by the people that she thought she was helping and hospitalized. That shut down a lot of the amateur volunteers trying to help. Camps tend to be in wooded areas near businesses and increase crime impacts the businesses, so the police end up chasing the homeless from camp to camp. Not sure if there is a solution.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Our adopted hometown has a growing homelessness problem with no real resolution in sight. ...

It's a growing problem everywhere. The new mayor of Vancouver, BC (about 50 miles west of me, where I grew up) as well as our new provincial premier, have promised to tackle the spreading mass of homeless people and "tent cities" that have sprung up - and the crime and violence that seeps into them. I wish them well; it is a daunting and Sisyphean task.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I am not unmoved by the plight of the less fortunate. Every month we give a bit to the Cincinnati Freestore Foodbank and the Cincinnati Little Sisters of the Poor (their focus is on the poor elderly who are often ignored).

We also give a bit to Matthew:25 Ministries (they focus on families displaced by natural disasters).

Every little bit helps.

 

[brucev]

Began my pastoral ministry at the corner of Carrollton Avenue and Apple Street, New Orleans, LA. Across the street was nice houses, etc. Down Apple street was a different world. Worked down on St. Roch street at a mission w/ beds for 400 men/night. Really hard when a man showed up with a child. 43 years later, have fed no telling how many people. Have housed them. Have washed them. Have walked with them when they were trying not to cave to drugs/liquor. Have had them pull knives on me. One pulled a little pistol (S&W 36). Our church currently feeds about 200 folks a month. We give them clothing. We only do over-night housing. We no longer give cash. Must say, when I see a child and they are scared, all my smart thoughts go completely out the window. At that point, I don't care a bit what the parents may or may not have done to deserve or not deserve anything at all. I am going to do everything in my power to do whatever needs to be done for that child or those children. One time had a family wind up under the pecan tree by my house. They were in a old van. They needed everything. Couldn't fix their leaking gas tank. Just fill it up to the crack. But my wife and I went all out for that woman and her children. The pastor-parish committee may one day decide that I am not the greatest preacher since sliced bread. However, when I stand before Almighty God, I pray he will say "Well done." For as God is my witness, I just haven't got it in me to walk away when I see people in need. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[Onomea]

I think we should bring back anti-vagrancy laws. No public camping within city/town limits. Use our taxes to build dormitories providing beds, showers, food and security personnel to house homeless outside city limits. If you can't prove you have a place to stay, off you go.

Provide work options for the able bodied. Use our taxes to provide supervised mental health facilities.

What we are doing now, providing free food and allowing public camping by the homeless, believing we are protecting/allowing individual freedom, is destroying our cities. Societies, communities, neighborhoods, too, have a right to protection, a right to freedom (as in going about one's business safely in a pleasant environment).

What we're doing now isn't working, and more of the same won't either.

 

[ladder13]

Our adopted hometown has a growing homelessness problem with no real resolution in sight. There is a lot of talk from the local government on what is going to be done to address the issue but none of it is going to occur anytime soon. Recently a rundown, crime-ridden hotel was shut down, displacing around 700 people, many of them children, just as the temperature started dropping. I realize homelessness is a vastly complicated problem and although mental illness and drug abuse are key, they are not the only factors. Some people just can't seem to get their lives together even when trying to the best of their abilities.

This morning while taking a break from prepping for Thanksgiving with our daughters and friends, I came across another article in the local online newspaper discussing the newly homeless and soliciting donations which are to be managed by a local utility company. I considered what we have and then those that have much less, and couldn't get to my credit card fast enough. By most accounts, I'm a crusty old fart who believes in a hand up versus a handout, but I don't think in this great country of ours anyone should go hungry or be without a roof over their head, especially kids. When I saw some of the most recently displaced it triggered something deep down inside.

We on the forum are a very diverse group in many ways but I believe at the core we are all good folks. If you don't already, and I would imagine many do, please take a minute to consider the less fortunate. Even the smallest donation can help at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

Thanks for reading.

Well said, and thank you for the reminder.

 

[Golddollar]

I've bought food for some individuals in Baltimore, and one time in Baltimore I put some gas in a family's vehicle. Up in Hanover there was a family that had a sign out that saying they were having a tough time, so I went over to McDonalds and bought a load of sandwiches, plus coffee for the parents and milk for the kids. These were probably not big deals in the grand scheme of things, but I was glad I could help these people without having to worry about being an enabler for any problems.

 

[Bekeart]

Trying to help

My donations are to organized charities.
They will have guidelines for client eligibity.
Items handed out in reasonable quantity for client.

Locallly the Greedy raid and empty unsupervised Blessing Boxes.


No donation to those persons with signs at street corner.

Monthly check for local soup kitchen.
Donations to a womens shelter.
Donation to Mennonite Disater Service - they are building 50 homes in Mayfield KY - Tornado Dec 2021 major disasster - Nobody in an office with BIG salary - They know how to build with quality.

 

[coltle6920]

There are two types of homeless people.

One is those that need help and seek it and the other just wants your money (without the sermon) and laughs behind your back.

 

[ancient-one]

Giving has to have priorities. You get emails or letters every day, usually three or four from organizations, most of them representing worthy causes. I have only so much to give so I select the ones where most is spent for the cause, not for salaries.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

People I know who have volunteered at local soup kitchens have said most of the the people who go there should be sent to Weight Watchers. And have a sense of entitlement and are often very arrogant and conceited.
Only charity I donate to is the Salvation Army, they have stuck to their principles.
Here in NJ a Catholic priest took in a disturbed individual, gave him a job, a place to sleep. And got his head bashed in.
We should try a "Socialist" solution to homelessness-Camp for Re-education through Labor No. 7.

 

[zwartepiet]

We on the forum are a very diverse group in many ways but I believe at the core we are all good folks. If you don't already, and I would imagine many do, please take a minute to consider the less fortunate. Even the smallest donation can help at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

Thanks for sharing this!

I know I’ve been blessed beyond what I deserve! Your experience helps me remember to be a blessing to others!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

 

[tops]

We give to the Salvation Army. From what we understand they have a very good record of using donations to help the needy instead of paying high salaries to managers. Larry

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I hesitate to ‘help’ the homeless.
But I do donate to the Statewide Roadrunner Food Bank who distributes food to folks in need.
NM has a severe poverty problem and a number of folks are in need of food.
And a number of the folks in need of food are kids.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I distinguish between those who are victims of bad luck-job loss, health problems, divorce, death in the family-and those who made bad choices-alcohol and drug use, laziness, lack of concern for others, teenage pregnancy, etc. Welfare benefits run between $40-60,000 a year. I recall an article in the New York Times years ago about the homeless, described an individual living with his sister-then he stole the TV to buy crack.
My church has a "warmth tree"-gloves, scarves, hats. This year I will donate 15 watch caps-that I found while walking or bicycling.

 

[SMSgt]

No one can be helped until they want to help themselves.

 

[Doug M.]

We donate regularly to our local food bank. I feel as though among the private groups working to address general impacts of poverty, they have a great position.

At work, among my other duties, I do the legal work to assess various Homeless and Affordable support programs. (Review contracts between the county government and various programs.) There are a lot of ramifications to the issue. Unfortunately, there are often a significant collection of bad actors mixed in to these camps. A camp in a west side county was cleared out a few weeks ago and produced many tons of trash and 150 stolen vehicles.