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ORIGINAL: nefertari

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ORIGINAL: NorthernGent


I understand people want to help others out where they can.

However, handouts are to the homeless what a bowl of rice is to the starving in Africa. Both groups need incentive and opportunity which in turn needs public and political will to redress the balance in society. If you want a fair society then elect the politicians who can deliver. Otherwise, forget it as you'll always be fighting the inevitable.

As said, I understand that a meal and clothing is far better than nothing and in many ways people are caught between a rock and a hard place. However, I feel this is one area where it is cruel to be kind and what we need is serious pressure on our Governments (and our wider society) to get a grip on the state of homelessness in both of our countries.

I think we all agree that charity is only a bandaid to the problem.  And you're right in that it is a political issue.  However, I am only one person. While I vote for the politicians I feel will bring about change, everyone has different priorities and there are others in this country (as evidenced by another post on this thread) that deny the problem truly exists.  Until the majority elect those politicians and pressure the government to address these issues, it is only human to help those on the losing end of the stick.  The poor in this country don't have a voice.

The homeless in this country, from what I've personally seen, get a lot more help and attention than the working poor.  The homeless are much more visibile than the working poor.  That isn't to say the homeless are living well, cause that would just be silly to even suggest.  But, this thread is more aimed at the working poor - a group often forgotten.

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ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet

The working poor are starving?

Sounds like they aren't working a very good job nor keeping a budget. Do you buy a 99 cent burger or half a gallon of gas? Becoming a waiter or a cook couldn't be a worse job than what they have now. Same amount of pay and free food from time to time. That's all they need to do. I worked for Pizza Hut and a Panda Express when I was a poor starving college student. I also went to church for free/cheap food events. When I noticed left overs, I voluntered to take the food off there hands. When I was a CNA for a hospital, we always had patients who died or checked out early meaning that extra food trays were left over.

I"ve been poor and grew up poor, but I've always had a nack for finding food. I've mastered the art of scounging change. In High School, I worked in a Chicken and Dumpling dinner where I brought home fried chicken to my family three or four times a week. Hell, there have been times that I went from store to store just to eat free samples. When friends went out to eat, I would go just to eat crackers and drink water. One time at IHOP, there was a drunk group who left and untouched burger. Yummie.

The bottom line is that the food is out there for anyone and everyone to eat. You just have to be patient and find it. Keep working and scrounging, the food will come.  

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ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet

The working poor are starving?

Sounds like they aren't working a very good job nor keeping a budget. Do you buy a 99 cent burger or half a gallon of gas? Becoming a waiter or a cook couldn't be a worse job than what they have now. Same amount of pay and free food from time to time. That's all they need to do. I worked for Pizza Hut and a Panda Express when I was a poor starving college student. I also went to church for free/cheap food events. When I noticed left overs, I voluntered to take the food off there hands. When I was a CNA for a hospital, we always had patients who died or checked out early meaning that extra food trays were left over.

I"ve been poor and grew up poor, but I've always had a nack for finding food. I've mastered the art of scounging change. In High School, I worked in a Chicken and Dumpling dinner where I brought home fried chicken to my family three or four times a week. Hell, there have been times that I went from store to store just to eat free samples. When friends went out to eat, I would go just to eat crackers and drink water. One time at IHOP, there was a drunk group who left and untouched burger. Yummie.

The bottom line is that the food is out there for anyone and everyone to eat. You just have to be patient and find it. Keep working and scrounging, the food will come.  

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ORIGINAL: kisshou

There would have been no food at the free/cheap food event at the churches if people did not donate it.

Why did other people donate it? because they know there are people going hungry without their kind donation.

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The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity!

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ORIGINAL: OsideGirl

Understand that actions will always speak louder than words.

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ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet

I give plenty of chances and donations. I don't like kicking anyone, especially when they're down. However, some people need to be kicked back up. Divorce, death, and being laid off can change alot of things in a persons and or  families life.

I only hate seeing poverty and starvation as a life style that some just accept and beocome accustome to. In twenty years from now, I'm willing to bet that you'll still hear a few people say "I"m a Katrina Victim and FEMA took away my camper. Do you have a place I can stay?"

There's a time when ones problems should be resolved. Any begging after the cut off date is only a sign of being lazy.