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Giving food to a big issue seller
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Outside where I work, there is a big issue seller. I see him quite often when I leave work, have had a fair few chats with him, and bought the big issue a couple of times.
Today, I had made a lunch for myself, but ended up going for a meal with a friend. Therefore, I had my lunch left when I left work. I decided instead of throwing it away, to give it to the big issue seller, and after asking if he'd like it, he happily took my sandwiches.
While walking away a woman approached me, said she had seen what I had done, then started shouting at me, saying that if I feed people like that, they will spend the money they do have on 'crack' etc. She then said she knew this as she had been abused at a homeless hostel once, although she now looked like a well kept, middle class lady. In my opinion she was totally off the mark, and that in many ways, giving food to a homeless person is a better idea than giving them money.
Am I missing something here, is what I did actually wrong and was this woman right, or was she just a nutter? I would be interested to know what everybody else would do in the same situation as I was in.
Today, I had made a lunch for myself, but ended up going for a meal with a friend. Therefore, I had my lunch left when I left work. I decided instead of throwing it away, to give it to the big issue seller, and after asking if he'd like it, he happily took my sandwiches.
While walking away a woman approached me, said she had seen what I had done, then started shouting at me, saying that if I feed people like that, they will spend the money they do have on 'crack' etc. She then said she knew this as she had been abused at a homeless hostel once, although she now looked like a well kept, middle class lady. In my opinion she was totally off the mark, and that in many ways, giving food to a homeless person is a better idea than giving them money.
Am I missing something here, is what I did actually wrong and was this woman right, or was she just a nutter? I would be interested to know what everybody else would do in the same situation as I was in.
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Comments
We are all entitled to give (money, food or time) whatever we want to whichever causes we choose.
Its up to you what charities you give, and well done, most people wouldn't think twice about throwing their unwanted food in the bin.
:thumb:
I think its nice to give food.
i'd spend my money on alcohol or smack if i was homeless.
It was a lovely gesture on your part. Don't let some hag diminish your kind heartedness. :thumb:
Man it's cold out there at this time of year, and until you become homeless, it's dificult to comprehend the 'normal' things that suddenly become unavailable to you. I remember when I was homeless, I couldn't see a GP because I didn't have an address. When I told the receptionist I was sleeping in my car, and which car park they could find me in she told me to "go away and think about what my address was" before she would let me see a GP- BITCH!
Anyway, yeah, if they want your food, then it's fine to give it. If they don't want your food, then well, I guess it would just be a waste.
:yes:
Exactly. if a can of special brew or whatever helps get the guy through the night, then who the hell am i to take that away from him.
Arguably better idea than money as food is food, whereas money could go on food or drugs or alcohol or fairy lights.
Least then noone can accuse you of funding a habit.
I've given drink to homeless people on a few occassions, no skin off my teeth.
i would have probably just told her to mind her business.