itsmee
I hope this isn't too depressing. I'm thinking about it. I want to know what to do to help. It's freezing tonight and the thought of people without homes is terrible ... terrible. Sometimes I think all you can do is throw money at the problem.
10 Answers
clu
Best answer!
If you were homeless having some of the things suggested would be a fight for your life. You would need a baseball bat to beat off the ones who wanted your stuff!
| 10 years ago. Rating: 8 | |
Do you have any ideas what items might be stored fairly easilyaa/
I'm sorry about you brother.
"I'M COLD. DO YOU HAVE AN OLD SLEEPING BAG" It's going to freeze tonight, I think. I was thinking of helping out with the Salvation Army.
I have nothing against giving a few dollars but I was just shocked and sad. I just waved and smiled. He waved back.
I heard a homeless talk about how terrible it is to be invisible. He said, "When someone looks at me it makes me happy. A smile is like a ham sandwich."
Anyway ... That's how I handled it. I'll do better in the future.
Ducky
I would have a king sized feather comforter and a tarp along with a long , hooded coat and bottles of water.
| 10 years ago. Rating: 12 | |
4 days without water,
and 40 days without food.
If that is true, your choice of bottles of water would be a good one.
Tommyh
Yes it is a worry Itsmee.I guess I would have as much warm clothing as possible & a blanket.A waterproof poncho of some sort,a flashlight & a thermos of hot coffee or soup if I could get it.
| 10 years ago. Rating: 11 | |
sunnyB
That must be a terrible feeling to be homeless, but it seems to be happening more and more these days everywhere. Around this area there are more middle aged men homeless than anyone, I saw someone in the local town on Sunday afternoon, he was rapped up in an old blancket in a shop doorway, a lady had just taken him a cup of coffee, I gave him a £2 piece which I had in my pocket, he was very grateful .
| 10 years ago. Rating: 11 | |
bustieone
Some people without mental illness are homeless, they just decide to walk away from their life. There was an initiative to engineer a temporary house for homeless use. It basically was a plywood box. People did not like the idea of seeing them like a refugee camp, and they did not come into usage. They had electricity, and a hotplate, but no plumbing. The resident would have to visit a shelter, or establishment to use the rest room.
| 10 years ago. Rating: 11 | |
In our town a homeless woman was kicked out of a fast-food place. They wouldn't let her use the restroom. I do understand the restaurant people but I don't understand the city government. It seems they just close their eyes.
jhharlan
I was homeless for two years. Wasn’t so bad. When we weren’t living under the bridge we were in a tent, had a place for our belongings (the cops chased us out of there). Long story……...
| 10 years ago. Rating: 9 | |
Clonge
Enough to go to the Express line (10 items or less)!
| 10 years ago. Rating: 9 | |
I'm going to write a letter to someone who could do SOMETHING. (The mayor?) I won't count on it helping ... but it wouldn't hurt.
mycatsmom
robertgrist
Homelessness is quite rough. Lacking an address or bank account means you cannot receive most forms of government assistance. Your only chance is to get a mailing address even if just a postoffice box and apply for aid everywhere. Police will pick-up many people in harsh weather and some churches have facilities also. Most fast food joints toss out lots of food when closing and being on the streets, backdoor dining at whats in the bin may seem pretty gross…so it pays to be highly selective in what looks edible. Plastic bags, styrofoam and bubble pack can be nicely warm on a bone chilling night in an alley. Plastic does not breath so a bubble pack bed is warm and even sweaty if you are laying next to the stuff. Bathing and laundry is not something you can really live without. So if you are just hanging out and feeling grungy you can ask around for what you need. Most folk on the streets have really screwed themselves by denying opportunities, having fearful attitudes or manners, or by being oppressive, sullen, drunk, drugged and/or frightful . Looking the part is the problem for many. I have known folk who dressed in rags and behaved like a lost and dying corpse for hand-outs. Mental illness identifies street urchins. There are a few professional pan-handlers who “beg” every day and/or run street scams. One group of religeous rag beggars collected $38,000.00 on the streets of Sacramento, CA in one 5 month long gig 25 years ago.
I have been in that scene more out of curiosity than necessity. It is quite an experience that is beneficial to understand from being part of that scene, but if you don’t need to be there stay out.
| 10 years ago. Rating: 7 | |
Others say that people on the streets like it that way. They don't want to connect with government assistance or for some reason have great fear to contact them.
Yes, some of them do make money. Your Sacramento story stands my hair on end. Those people who benefit with thousands of dollars really hurt the chances for poor people to be seen as needy.
I didn't say much of anything ... just thinking. I am not considering a move. : )
And then there's the Salvation Army but I won't go there ... I've already looked into that. : (
If so, we're on opposite sides of this discussion. I think they are victims of a society that has grown too big too quick. I think they are ill.
People who are on the streets may not have this predicament, they may have just lost their homes a week ago. No job. No family. What to do?
You are strong in mind and body, robert. If life was fair, there'd be more people like you.
I'm not. If I should end up in the street I'd be a little like our cat who has NEVER been out of her safe house. I'd be dead one way or another.
We have different abilities.
Bob/PKB
Tarp and rope, Weather proof sleeping bag, pillow, an extra-extra large can (for cooking and billy-bath), toothbrush and baking soda, baseball bat (that was a good idea), fold-up cot, Stuff for starting a fire (not matches). Clothing would have to include a very warm jacket, gloves, and hat. Some cooking utensils, toilet paper, my glasses, soap, razor. My Bible.
My indulgent possessions would be photos of my family, a journal, pens.
I think this would get me started. Hope I never have to find out.
| 10 years ago. Rating: 6 | |
