How can I help the homeless?

Question

Everytime I see a homeless person I feel sooooo bad for them I just want to give them a dollar. But I know they will just spend it on cocaine or booze because they are all mentally retarded and can't help themselves.

I'm not sure if I should give money to charities either becuase I read stories that they just spend in on themselves and give very little to the poor.

Answer 1

donate food to the homeless shelters

it really helps

ya dig

Answer 2

NEVER give money to charities, trust me I know, if you donate money to charities you would be paying for the commercials fees and equipment they use to make those ads that you see of hungry children, you would be paying for their offices and their "trips" to Africa.

If you really want to help homeless people, then don't help them for now, save your money and when you have enough money, in about 2 or 4 years throw a free buffet for them when you saved enough money, you would need to call around to get somewhere to do it, maybe outside a church.

Or you can just do what the other person said, buy them coffee or hamburgers.

Answer 3

hey how about reaching out to those who are really needy. like families that are in need. it will be much foregiving and its a peace or mind for you too knowing that its going to be in good use. its great that you are really thoughtful. hey good luck finding your question and take care. God Bless!

Answer 4

Let them all move in with you.

Answer 5

try to be friends with them and try to explain what are the pros and cons of being homeless

Answer 6

First, I wasn't far from homeless myself at one time. No, I don't drink and do drugs. And I don't think a person with a 3.8 GPA could be considered mentally retarded. ( Night school after working 40+ hours a week.) You want to do something useful? Donate your time to a soup kitchen, pass on your slighty worn clothing to someone that is looking to find a better job, so that they can afford a small apartment instead of a shelter. Donate anything you can, because you are one of the fortunate ones. Let me lace you with a little info. People lose their jobs,( can't pay the rent, can't buy food, excetera..)

Women with few work skills get tossed out by hubbies or boyfriends, sometimes with small children in tow.

You read that charities don't actually reach the people. Well, here's your chance to do something. I know that some are on the street because of habits, but many just had some real bad luck. ALL MENTALLY ILL? May I advise you to choose your words more carefully, missy?

Answer 7

i think you should volunteer at a soup kitchen or give them food, warmth anything can help them. just put yourself in there shoes and you might see what you would want if you were homeless

Answer 8

Do you ask out of compassion for them or because you don't like looking at them?

Many are mentally ill and thanks to the great fornicator, Ronald Reagan, have no place of refuge.

Answer 9

when i see someone in need, i never give money but, i do go by a fast food restaurant and get them a burger and if its cold, a coffee.

Answer 10

I had an idea and a business plan I wanted to initiate where I would create a rehabilitation center. Almost like a hotel, where they would come, get a room, get food, clothing, ect. I would have phyicians on site that would check them out and treat them. They would have to sign a contract where they would have to be drug and alcohol free during there entire stay. While at the rehab center, they would learn how to write resumes, balance checkbboks, save money, and all the things that they would need to eventually be on their own. The would clean up and then work at temp agencies where they would save money until they were deemed fit to move out on their own. This project would mostly be covered by government where homelessness is a big problem and they are looking for ways to correct it. The only way to correct it is to get them out, of it, not to get them a job and let them go, but to teach them survival techniques and skills needed for them to live in society.

Answer 11

Last Christmas season, I wanted to give, and I saw a man walking near a pizza parlor, asking for food money.  I had $10. in my pocket, and wondered if the money would actually go for food, just you did, and decided to order him a pizza.  It was a cold night, and the pizza would warm him.  I asked him what kind of pizza he likes to eat, and would he like a piece, and what is his name.  I ordered a pizza in his name, tipped them, told them that I had ordered for this man - which was cool with them, and took the receipt outside.  His eyes glistened, and when he picked up the order, realizing it was a whole pizza, looked happily shocked as he carried it around the corner to share with 3 other men who looked like they needed a warm meal as well.  It felt good to surprise someone.  Have a healthy and happy new year!

Answer 12

feed the homeless to the hungry and solve two problems. (jokes)  i dont think it matters what they spend thier money on. if booze makes them happy let them drink. i know heaps of people who have homes that drink and i reakon many homeless poeple deserve to drink more than they do. AND SECOND OF ALL HOW DARE YOU SAY ALL HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE MENTALLY RETARDED! most homeless people are just sad, they lost their homes, their families, they don't know where thier next meal is coming from or where they will sleep. you just sound like a little 'paris hilton'  you don't really care, you just don't want to look at them, and if you act like you care people will think your a nice person. idiot

Answer 13

You may be rich but are you wealthy. There are many rich people who frankly are quite poor! If you want to help then give money to feed the children they are very good people and feed people all over the place. As you have not created these homeless people and do not know the story of there lives it seems odd that you feel like you are better then them or that you know there trials of life or how they became homeless. Could it be that these people have suffered great trials that you could not even come thru. The old saying is don't judge a book by it cover. Another saying that has more weight is : Judge not least I (God) Judge you. That is a warning to all peoples from God.

Answer 14

When you lean over to give them change just jiggle a little - that'll hold 'em over for a few days.

Answer 15

Volunteer at a soup kitchen.

Answer 16

who do u think u r ms hilton?

I'm rich ur not (what kind of name is that)

Thats like slapping a poor person down!

I think community service where U young lady should give of something of value not your worthless money but your VALUABLE TIME ! Or maybe you could let them stay with you!

Many times these people are NOT as u say mentally challenged, many were at one time college educated, or veterans who fought for our freedom who fell on hard times & didnt know how to pick themselves back up.

U SHOULD  volunteer for habitat for humanity.

http://www.habitat.org/

If u cant find it in ur heart to help homeless people without derogatory comments about them, then u might make good use of ur time volunteering at the local animal shelter cleaning cages. Animals are helpless & have no choice that they have become homeless due to irresponsible owners.

OR maybe you could read at a local childrens hospital or volunteer sitting with the elderly in your community. You could learn a few things from them too.

Also, u may b rich now BUT someday u could be in the streets too! I wouldnt dare say that cant happen to me chickadee!

Answer 17

First of all, ignore the answers of some of the ignorant people here who just like to be insulting. They can't help it.

Secondly, I have worked with homeless people and your concerns are correct. Most are mentally ill, although some are not.

Homeless people go through a lot of clothes, because they cannot afford laundry, so they throw away their clothes when they get too dirty.

I would suggest, if you are somewhere cold right now, that you can buy gloves, socks and hats at a dollar store (they cost a dollar each)and give them out to the people who need them. Give them any other clean clothes you want as well, including underwear.

Give them food and drinks too if you want. Some get dehydrated because all they drink is coffee when they can afford it.  A toothbrush and toothpaste can be useful.

I don't give money because it can be traded for drugs.

There are a lot of churches that help the homeless by cooking hot meals for them. They do good work.

One last thing. They all share a common misfortune. Many are on drugs that make them psychotic. Most are mentally ill and should be treated. Most have had a really traumatic childhood that caused their problems. Many have physical illnesses too, including hepatitis and other communicable diseases.

I think your heart is in the right place. I wish you well.

Answer 18

If you want to help the Homeless buy them a Home.

Answer 19

I was homeless once, and the best help came through community resources.  Donate food, clothes, and time to a church or organization that helps the homeless.  Something in your area that helps.  That way the next time someone begs for food, you can tell them to go to the charity where you gave donations.  If they don't want to after that, it's their own fault.

Answer 20

Donate food to a soup kitchen, but more importantly, donate your time. IF you really want to help, DONATE YOUR TIME.  Then you will know that you are really helping.  You would be surprised how good it feels to give back.  Keep an open mind, and don't judge the people you are helping. Remember that they are PEOPLE too.

Answer 21

try being more open minded Mentally retarded?

Answer 22

give them something to eat or give them money

Answer 23

buy them a sausage mcmuffin every morning

Answer 24

Mentally retarded? You're an idiot. Congratulations.