Feeding the homeless?

[dragons in the flower bed]

We live across the street from a parking lot and a vacant lot where my kids like to play soccer. Coming home from fireworks last night, we noticed a homeless guy in a little nest in the bushes that border the vacant lot along a fence. He's been seen around the neighborhood a lot, always quite friendly, and we didn't realize he was homeless until we saw what was obviously his temporary home.

So my first thought was, yay, now I have someone who will enjoy the leftovers of dinners my kids only picked at. My second thought was that he might like a pillow. My third thought was that there may be consequences to feeding the local homeless that I have not considered. What do you guys say?

[Cathy in IL]

I tend to feed them when I have something. I don't give out money though. There was a man who was under a bridge on our way to church for a long time. We used to always fix up breakfast for him Sunday mornings. I saw you are in a small town. I don't know if that would make a difference or not. Most of the time if I feed a homeless person I don't see them again, but I am in a big city.

[Angela in TN]

When I worked in D.C. years ago I passed the same guy everyday when I got off the metro, he had a temporary thing behind the newspaper stand. He always smiled and never really said anything to anyone but it was freezing winter and it broke my heart. I went to a store one night filled a big gift bag with socks, gloves, snack foods and drink pouches and other non-perishable or useable items and just handed it to him one day. I think your right to think of the consequences of feeding someone who is homeless in your neighborhood and I'm sure others will give you some great advice but I think you should follow your conscience too. I would do it.

[*anj*]

I think that what you're proposing sounds very reasonable. Dh and I have both given homeless people food, but as someone else mentioned, I'd never give money. Food and a pillow would be a lovely, compassionate gesture.

[Miss Peregrine]

I like to keep gallon Ziploc bags in my car. I fill them with single serving applesauce, granola bars, a bottle of water and other snack type things. I hand them out when I see homeless people.

I think feeding a hungry person is one of the most amazing ways to love someone.

[Laurie4b]

Because he is right in your neighborhood, I would err on the side of caution and ask someone who has contact with homeless folks in your area. Some are, indeed, nice people; others are not people you'd want to get involved with. If there is a local homeless shelter around, you could ask their opinion. You could also call the non-emergency # of the police dept. and ask them what they think.

[newbie]

Because he is right in your neighborhood, I would err on the side of caution and ask someone who has contact with homeless folks in your area. Some are, indeed, nice people; others are not people you'd want to get involved with. If there is a local homeless shelter around, you could ask their opinion. You could also call the non-emergency # of the police dept. and ask them what they think.


:iagree:You have to be careful and check with shelter. I think it is much easier when they are not across the street. Touchy situation.

Jet

[Peek a Boo]

Because he is right in your neighborhood, I would err on the side of caution and ask someone who has contact with homeless folks in your area. Some are, indeed, nice people; others are not people you'd want to get involved with. If there is a local homeless shelter around, you could ask their opinion. You could also call the non-emergency # of the police dept. and ask them what they think.


:iagree:

and if they have no major words of warning, then i'd go ahead and help 'em out.

another caution-- considering how close this is to you......if this is a person w/ mental issues, try not to become invested in his response or reaction over the next several weeks. Just help them where they are at.

and good luck :)

[swellmomma]

I have fed individuals, I have also helped organize and run larger scale feed the homeless events with like minded moms. There has never been a negative to do these things, only positives, especially my children work by my side to hand out meals. At the same time none of the people I have fed have lived close to me, I typically have to head downtown towards the inner city to even find people to help.

[dragons in the flower bed]

I tend to feed them when I have something. I don't give out money though. There was a man who was under a bridge on our way to church for a long time. We used to always fix up breakfast for him Sunday mornings.


That's sweet, Cathy.

I wouldn't give money, either.

[dragons in the flower bed]

I think your right to think of the consequences of feeding someone who is homeless in your neighborhood and I'm sure others will give you some great advice but I think you should follow your conscience too. I would do it.

Thanks, Angela. Yes, that's the challenge, balancing my conscience and my concern. Your sock idea is a good one. I sure hope he's not here in winter. Usually the homeless go into the many vacant homes in our area, but we just had our 22nd arson of the summer, and I think they must be scared to sleep there. Heck, I'm scared to sleep in my house. Our little town sure is feeling this recession.

[dragons in the flower bed]

If there is a local homeless shelter around, you could ask their opinion. You could also call the non-emergency # of the police dept. and ask them what they think.

Good idea! We have friends who volunteer at our Hope House. I can ask them at (UU) church tomorrow.

[dragons in the flower bed]

You have to be careful and check with shelter. I think it is much easier when they are not across the street. Touchy situation.


Indeed. I'm trying not to think of him as a stray cat who will keep coming back if I give him food. We have one friend who is schizophrenic, who we let use our phone once, and now she always comes here for that. I don't mind, really. She's completely harmless. (Most schizophrenics are.) But I don't know that this guy is, and I'm aware of the possibility for unpleasant drama. I'm also slightly worried he'll be insulted and act out about it, or that he'll feel overly comfortable and camp on my porch. Although some part of me is even then thinking, "Well, if it's the back porch, and keeps him out of the rain . . . "

[dragons in the flower bed]

.if this is a person w/ mental issues, try not to become invested in his response or reaction over the next several weeks. Just help them where they are at.

Good advice, Peek a Book, thanks.

[Peek a Boo]

, or that he'll feel overly comfortable and camp on my porch. Although some part of me is even then thinking, "Well, if it's the back porch, and keeps him out of the rain . . . "

you could always get a small tent for him --those are fairly inexpensive.....

[Tammy in Germany]

I think it would be lovely of you! When we lived in CA there were homeless people everywhere. When we would go out to dinner and I would see them standing around I would always buy them a meal and give it to them. In the winter I would buy gloves from WM and give them out and scarves. I always felt terrible for them.