Giving money to the homeless

[Alison]

Ok, I will get shouted down here but can't help it. I have a real thing about unknown dirt sources and cannot buy a copy of BI because I can't bear to think about what dirt might be on it from the homeless person.
I am weird and sad.

Yes weird but don't beat yourself up over it. Was brought up to believe that a bit of dirt doesn't hurt anybody and was probably good for you so it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

And if it buys the wrap of heroin that kills him how will you feel?

I will only give money if it feels right and sometimes I may have got it wrong but at least I know that I have done what is right for my consience and if any money that I have given has been misused then I don't feel responsible for that. Some may disagree with this but I feel we all have a responsiblity to do what we can and our definitions of that will be different.

[northepaul]

Most of the young people I worked with were ashamed that they had to beg for money and - yes they bought fags and a can sometimes - if they had got lucky and been given a lot of money that day - but mostly they bought food, water etc.

[Bramble_killer]

I don't give to anyone begging. I give to charities. It makes me feel guilty though when they walk past me, especially on the train. :/

I always wonder why they are begging for money to get a bed for the night. Do you really have to pay for a bed in a homeless shelter?

[Caro]

Glasgow Big Issue sellers must be trained to be very polite - they always say thank you very much even when all you've done is acknowledge them with a shake of the head when you walk past!

My quandary is that a lot of our local BI sellers appear to be immigrants. There's a temptation to feel that our whole society is being taken for a ride when they come over here to beg rather than stay at home and beg! Can someone enlighten me on this?

And in the old days, I used to smoke. So when I saw a down-and-out picking spent butts out of the gutter, I'd usually offer him a ciggie, without being asked, and light it for him. I know fags are bad for you, but i hoped the relief of having a whole, new ciggie brought a slight bit of joy - and, pathetically, it often seemed to.

The whole issue is quite confusing. But I think there are those on here who have made a good point - give to a homeless charity rather than the homeless direct.

Great discussion!

[jackyspratty]

Agree with that grannymem. We always buy big issue from the same vendor in leeds, shes quite elderly and out inall weathers by the playhouse selling BI. I think that that often buying from the same vendor allows you to get to know them. You may never know their story, but I know I would not wnat to sell BI in my later years inall weathers. Homelessness is often a faceless issue, and just seen as an issue, but there are real people involved. Also although homeless is often linked to other issues, it is not necessarily always drug and alcohol related. Domestic abuse, child abuse, ill health, family breakdown......the list is endless. We cannot assume.

Unfortunately, as in any situations you always are more prone naturally to remember the threatening vendor, or the begger well dressed. In all walks of life whether it be a plumber, a roofer, a homeless person,a benefit claimer, there are those that abuse the system or the kindness and hospitality of others. Its a real shame that it tarnishes those who are really trying to change their own lives.

THe judgement of who is deserving and who is not is an age old question, and how this is proven I don't know. Gut feeling, choice of donating to an individual or a charity? Anything but the workhouse really! Please do report agressive BI vendors to the office involved, they have strict guidelines for the vendors. Phew didn't mean to write so much!

[Florence Fennel]

I shall not pass this way again...
"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing,
therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow human
being let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not
pass this way again."

Stephen Grellet, 1773-1855
French-born Quaker Minister

[jackyspratty]

I shall not pass this way again...
"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing,
therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow human
being let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not
pass this way again."

Stephen Grellet, 1773-1855
French-born Quaker Minister

Well said florence!

[Alison]

My quandary is that a lot of our local BI sellers appear to be immigrants. There's a temptation to feel that our whole society is being taken for a ride when they come over here to beg rather than stay at home and beg! Can someone enlighten me on this?

I see us all as humans equally deserving regardless of where in the world we come from so it doesn't bother me if somebody is an immigrant or if they can trace their family tree back to the Doomsday Book. Furthermore (and I know that people will disagree on this one) I find the fact that people want to come to this country to be something of pride and a sign that we are getting something something morally right.

[ginger ninger]

I always bought a copy of the Big Issue from a young man who stood outside M&S in our town center, and now and again I bought him a coffee and a sandwich, which he was very appreciative of, he told me that he was only allowed to sell the mag for so long, to help himself get on his feet so to speak.
One night quite a few months later I was in the town center out with the girls, a young man came over to me and asked me if I'd allow him to buy me a drink, I didn't recognise him until he told me who he was, it was the young man from outside M&S.
He's married now and doesn't live far from me.

[FionaH]

GN that is absolutely lovely

[Brengirl]

I see us all as humans equally deserving regardless of where in the world we come from so it doesn't bother me if somebody is an immigrant or if they can trace their family tree back to the Doomsday Book. Furthermore (and I know that people will disagree on this one) I find the fact that people want to come to this country to be something of pride and a sign that we are getting something something morally right.

I wish I could have said that Alison. Compassion is how you feel at the time. It matters not a toss if it is misused. You have to have a heart!

[ginger ninger]

GN that is absolutely lovely

He was always so well spoken and very polite, I never asked why he ended up on the street's, that's his business, but I'm so glad I did my little bit to help him.

[janeyo]

I don't like the idea of being forced to give money to charities that I wouldnt necessarily support. For instance, there is barely a week goes by without my sons school having a charity day (go in your pjs, dress up as a pirate, cake break... I could go on), and we have to pay a pound for these days or he will feel like he is the only one not dressed up!
I wish the school, would ask for ten pounds a year for charity and we could opt in or out as we choose. Grrrrrr

I don't give to beggars, but sometimes give to buskers. My children like the music etc... and at least they are dong something for it!

[Two_Sheds]

I always wonder why they are begging for money to get a bed for the night. Do you really have to pay for a bed in a homeless shelter?

For emergency accommodation, yes. Even women fleeing domestic violence have to pay rent for their emergency beds Shelter England - Emergency housing while the council makes enquiries

[Brengirl]

He was always so well spoken and very polite, I never asked why he ended up on the street's, that's his business, but I'm so glad I did my little bit to help him.

I missed your original post Ginger. Heart warming.