RE: Beggers and The Big Issue

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RE: Beggers and The Big Issue - 10/6/2005 9:31:25 AM

perverseangelic

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Joined: 2/2/2004
From: Davis, Ca
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I think some people don't realize how expensive stuff like uniforms and instruments and props are.

I was in theater, and competition choir all through high school. I'm pretty damn low income, or was, then. Our show choir dresses were $200 per, not to mention the fees for everything else.

As a choir, we did just about every fundraiser you could imagine, including car washes etc. We did -not- sell candy bars or candles or whatever because if we did that through our school we would have had to go through an agency that takes over 1/2 the profits.

We also had people outside the local stores asking for money. Not begging. Asking.

The nice thing about a choir is that there are -many- people. You can have 1/2 run a car wash while there are othres doing thigns elsewhere.

It's more than likely that Fang's "beggars" were doing both at the same time.

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RE: Beggers and The Big Issue - 10/6/2005 10:15:32 AM

WickedKev

Posts: 305
Joined: 11/26/2004
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quote:

OK being from the UK I can completely answer this 'big issue'

For those of you who do not know, the big issue was started by homeless people to aid homeless people. It is written, produced and sold by homeless or ex-homless people and is a chariety organisation. The money raised from its sales(which is £1.40 a week per issue) and advertising within the magazine goes into training for people who have no employment prospects, raises money for childcare groups , money for transport until people get on their feet and sheltered accomodation. It also raises money for programmes dealing with the mentally ill.

It is NOT sold by beggers. It is sold by bonifide people who are trying to get a foothold in a difficult world. All vendors carry ID - they have official ID cards provided to them by the people at the Big Issue. There will always be theft and people steling magazines but if your not sure, just ask to see the ID. Most sellers have the ID around their necks if you bothered to look.

My local Big Issue sellers name is steve. He sells the BI, plaits my daughters hair when he has time and enjoys rachmanihoff. His favourite colour is turquoise and he reads shakespere like a poet.

So, get your facts straight before you try to belittle an organisation that aims to help with the homelessness situation. Maybe you can't be bothered to fork out a small amount each week - but I would love to know what you do for the situation and others like it? You need to get your facts straight. Why not go visit the Big Issue main offices? They wouldbe happy to meet you and then you would get a real understanding.

Peace and Love

Angel, the Big Issue was a good idea that has gone off the rails. There was a documentry on tv, following two such people who sold the Big Issue. They were a couple, they were not homeless, they were living in a council house, they recieved benefits, they also got free furnitutre and houshold hold appliances to furnish the house with. The money they made from selling the Big Issue was used to buy heroin, and there they were on the telly shooting up. I have never bought one since. One other quick story, I was collecting money for a childrens charity, not 20 feet away from me was a young woman selling the Big Issue, she had the ID, the bad dress sense to make you think she was homeless, and she resented me being there collecting for charity. At the end of the day, this bloke in a brand spanking new car pulled up, and she jumps in, gives him kiss and off they drive. I couldn't afford that car, and a supposedly homeless person can? Sorry as I said a good idea to help homeless people that has been hijacked by drug abusers. and con artists.

< Message edited by WickedKev -- 10/6/2005 1:23:48 PM >

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RE: Beggers and The Big Issue - 10/6/2005 2:23:46 PM

darkinshadows

Posts: 4145
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[/quote]

Angel, the Big Issue was a good idea that has gone off the rails. There was a documentry on tv, following two such people who sold the Big Issue. They were a couple, they were not homeless, they were living in a council house, they recieved benefits, they also got free furnitutre and houshold hold appliances to furnish the house with. The money they made from selling the Big Issue was used to buy heroin, and there they were on the telly shooting up. I have never bought one since. One other quick story, I was collecting money for a childrens charity, not 20 feet away from me was a young woman selling the Big Issue, she had the ID, the bad dress sense to make you think she was homeless, and she resented me being there collecting for charity. At the end of the day, this bloke in a brand spanking new car pulled up, and she jumps in, gives him kiss and off they drive. I couldn't afford that car, and a supposedly homeless person can? Sorry as I said a good idea to help homeless people that has been hijacked by drug abusers. and con artists.
[/quote]

Like I said before, there will always be abusers and cheaters of any system. Thats why I made it my business to know my local big issue seller.

I agree, the systems not perfect. But what what gets reported on the news and in the papers? The negative. The abusers of something that isnt infalible. Something to note is that it isnt just the sellers that benefit. People who pay for advertising, that money is put to good use. There are people who will abuse anything and everything. There are abusers in BDSM - does that mean we should all just walk away and forget it? People who steal money from charieties - so we shouldnt give?

People abuse. Thats a fact. But should other people suffer because we can't be bothered to take a moment to find out something that could reassure our own minds?

Peace and Love

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RE: Beggers and The Big Issue - 10/6/2005 2:38:11 PM

WickedKev

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quote:

ORIGINAL: dark~angel

Which uis true but unfortunatly for me the Big Issue sellers where I live are always changing' There was one bloke down in Kent, worked outside the mall, and everytime I had to go into the mall and my dog was with me he would keep an eye on her. Him I always bought from, but unless I get to know them I won't buy from them, and unless I know the charity I won't give to them, exception is someone I trust recommending them.

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