Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Dorothy]

What do you mean by not healthy?  I know at Christmas, most foodbanks try to add some extra treats like biscuits, cake or chocolate, to cheer things up for families that can't afford to buy these things themselves.  So if they are well-stocked with the healthy basics, that may be why the list is requesting 'unhealthy' food. 

Our local foodbank is short of some basic supplies, but are also asking people to consider donating Christmassy stuff and last month were asking for choc advent calendars to give to the children.  I always give advent calendars to the foodbanks as my godchildren get about 6 each so don't really need more from me!

[dulciana]

Before I give any money to rough sleepers on the street, I look at them discreetly, from a distance.  If I think I see a look of real hopelessness and abandonment about them, I will give to them.   I gave to two such people today.  The look of gratitude in the eyes of one of them said it all. 

[Taz2]

What do you mean by not healthy?  I know at Christmas, most foodbanks try to add some extra treats like biscuits, cake or chocolate, to cheer things up for families that can't afford to buy these things themselves.  So if they are well-stocked with the healthy basics, that may be why the list is requesting 'unhealthy' food. 

Our local foodbank is short of some basic supplies, but are also asking people to consider donating Christmassy stuff and last month were asking for choc advent calendars to give to the children.  I always give advent calendars to the foodbanks as my godchildren get about 6 each so don't really need more from me!

I agree - we all like to indulge ourselves at Christmas with a few extra treats so why should homeless and rough sleepers be any different? Life is hard enough for them without them having to miss out on Christmas treats.

Taz x

[Annie0710]

It's said that the average person is 3 pay checks away from homelessness

If I hadn't had my brothers back in 2009 and a good friend I could have so easily found myself without anywhere to live, and all because I fled an abusive relationship

I rarely carry cash but if I do I always give the Big Issue seller money but never take the magazine so they can sell it to someone else. 

X

[getting_old]

Interesting discussion as I have always given to charities rather than individuals because I know some are professional whilst others are genuine, and I do not know how to differentiate. I do like the idea of giving survival blankets or sleeping bags to people directly, or possibly hot drinks / food, as I know a lot of people don't like hostels etc., especially as most don't accept pets and people don't want to give theirs up. I've read about charities which gather food for homeless pets and I have often taken food to the local vets for distribution to such organisations.

[CLKD]

I don't know whether to give hot drinks because the person needs to find a loo which may result in them losing their place of safety. 

I've decided to 'do' a food shop in the New Year, did I say that already  .  Mum sometimes gives us stuff that we wouldn't eat so it can be passed on well 'within date'. 

[Annie0710]

We have a local Facebook page of women who take tinned food/clothes/tents etc donations and they go out weekly (sometimes 4 nights a week) and anyone on that page is invited to donate

They also take hot soup

[flutterby]

40 years ago I used to go out with a local charity to take soup to people 'living rough'. We found that some didn't want to stay in a hostel maybe it was too regimented obviously they weren't allowed alcohol so for some it was a none starter. I would have liked to have thought that the homeless problem would have improved over the years but it just seems to be so much worse now.
Every time I go out on a winters evening to put something in the bin and feel the icy air it makes me wonder how many people are having to spend the night outside.

[CLKD]

Me too, I often wonder about Box City.  However, the problems of society have never altered despite the ups and downs of the availability of housing and jobs. There will be those on the outside who will never socialise, plus those who have family breakdowns. 

[CLKD]

Who would have thought it difficult to give freshly laundered blankets and sleeping bags to a Charity?  I want them to go directly to those on the streets, not be sold via a charity shop where they may linger and eventually get put into the rag bag.

I have thus far contacted 3 local charities ........ 1 isn't taking in anything due to lockdown; the 2nd homeless charity hasn't answered my e-mail or telephone message; the 3rd is contacting on my behalf the direct street support group ......... hopefully they will take my offerings  . 

I have a couple of other charities in mind should this one not suit !

[star35]

This does not surprise me my DD and I had the same thing last year, so nothing to do with lockdown. We tried all the places we could including the churches that help the homeless and none of them were interested, in the end a rescue centre for dogs took them.

[Sparrow]

I expect sleeping bags are more suitable for those sleeping rough.

It's easy to miss understand what charities need/are short of.  Probably best to contact them first.  Blankets are a bit old hat and modern fibre is often warmer.

[CLKD]

Wool and tweed are the warmest products known to man.  After all, they keep sheep warm enough  . Modern lycra etc. do dry much quicker . I have found that charities are becoming picckie when offered items .......... they can no longer blame lack of space as many have a central hub so items handed in go there to be sorted, B4 being sent out to areas which need specifics. 

If necessary I will take them to the street myself and offer them up.  Where have charities suddenly got bedding, towels etc. from when those on the streets were put into hotels at the start of cover? 

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies

Before Lockdown I had some duvets to give away but the  all charity shops told me they can't sell them.  A woman working in the animal charity shop said she would like them for her dogs so I gave them to her.

Supporting the homeless by donating to charities like Shelter is likely the best way to help.

Take care ladies.

K.

[Sparrow]

Yes, that's what I do.  Have given monthly to St. Mungos for twenty years.

Giving in the street is problematic.  The last time I let my heart rule my head was in Hastings.  The 'coffee' money I gave a homeless man may well have been spent on substances.  He promised me he was going straight to the coffee shop but walked straight by.  Filled me with guilt.

Donations are better as it helps get people off the street, which is the ultimate aim.