Ds wants to give some of his pocket money to homeless people

[Wupity]

He has asked to go in to town to do this before Christmas. I am not sure if we should do this or if there is a better way of him to donate? Any ideas? He is 11

NO!! Definitely not.... homeless people would totally respect an 11 year young child offering them a little change...

What a nice little chap, I think I would get him to donate to a charity rather than give it directly, I have to say that in this town right now there are some very aggressive rough sleepers/beggers, not always wise to engage.

I don't see the issue with giving directly. Assuming or judging what the money is spent on is strange to me.

Agree. I used to have the attitude of "don't give money directly" but now I think, what do I care if they spend it on alcohol or whatever else they need to get through the day? You aren't going to magically cure someone's addiction by only giving to charities.

For a child though, I think it would likely be more appropriate to give to a charity.

At 11 he’s old enough to understand that the reason it isn’t a good idea to give money directly to homeless people is that it is very likely to be spent on drugs or alcohol which will make that person’s problems worse, not better.

I second what a PP said about giving to a local charity. Where I am, there was a campaign to buy a homeless person a Christmas Day dinner, which was very successful. Perhaps there may be something similar close to you?

I'd encourage going shopping with the local Foodbank wish list and let him spend his money on that. My kids did the reverse advent calendar a few times where they spent their own money on food that was to go to the food bank and put something in the box every day in the run up to Xmas.

Could he approach homeless people with you and ask if they would like a meal? Many will appreciate a hot drink and a McDonald's etc. I have bought food for a local homeless guy and it was appreciated. My ds and his friend bought a homeless guy a meal last year in our city. He was only 17 at the time but the guy asked food for food so he bought it. He said the guy wanted to talk so he and his friend sat and chatted with him while he ate. I think food is probably more helpful than gloves. Op, if you look at Centrepoint it tells you exactly how much money is needed to house someone for a night, buy a study pack for an a level student, provide a Christmas dinner etc. Your lovely kind son could choose one of them to save towards during the coming year

Why not see if you have a nearby night shelter? Our nearest ones do appeals for Christmas stockings for their service users with suggestions for helpful things to put in them - that way he can make it personal but perhaps a bit safer than approaching someone on the street?

I do give money directly sometimes. I work in housing and I know who is who. I don't mind if someone uses it for alcohol for example. Because they will get alcohol anyway and me giving money is the least worst way for them to afford it. I don't allow DD to give direct though.

However, if he wants to give direct, I also make treats sometimes and take them to the shelter. Sweet is good, individual is great, thoughtful is lovely. There are other things people like. Weirdly, make up is nice for the women. Small, useful, thoughtful things. Lip salve. Carabiners. Hand cream. Coffee cards (sometimes resold). NOT anything judgy like toothpaste or hand sanitiser.

He could buy things to make little hampers for the homeless and hand them out?

How about making a donation to Crisis at Christmas - they have an appeal on at the moment.

I agree. My son wanted to do this a couple of years ago when he was about 10. He gave every single person in the city precinct a pound. Why should we infantilise them and tell them what they should be spending their money on?
It was a lesson to him about helping others and seeing how grateful they were, it also showed him a glimpse into the hardships that other people face.

Your son sounds lovely! Where I am in Australia you can purchase gift vouchers from most supermarkets that cannot be spent on alcohol or cigarettes but can be used for anything else - food, clothes, whatever. I buy these and give them to anyone homeless so they can purchase what they want. These are great as your son could still give them directly to the person himself.

I don't believe in controlling what a homeless person can spend money on. These people deserve to have a bit of control, a bit of dignity (even if they are drug or alcohol abusing).

A donation to crisis and view to volunteering when he is older.

https://www.crisis.org.uk/crisis-at-christmas/why-we-ask-for-a-specific-donation/

Crisis are asking for just under £30 which provides (blatant c and p from their website)

• Hot meals and Christmas lunch
• Help with a safe place to stay
• Hotel accommodation for those most in need
• A long-term personal lead worker
• Year-round support, including training and education
• Advice on housing, employment, welfare and benefits
• Companionship from volunteers
• Health and wellbeing programmes
• Support to leave homelessness behind for good

Let him have a look at how much an Xmas dinner is in a pub or a night in a hotel, his money can buy more through a charity.

I doubt an 11 year old has £30 spare so you'd probably have to add to it although I do not think they will turn away any donation.

so jarring that you’re so happy to say out loud that you don’t want your son speaking to people like this.

Give to Act431. This is a charity that helps those who are struggling
The money goes directly to the person in need

Sign yourselves up for a soup kitchen

or

volunteer at a shelter someday. Second not giving money… he can give them a warm meal instead.

We sometimes stop to give the homeless folks in our city food or water (especially in the heat of the summer or colder days in the winter) - whatever we have at the time. Is that an option? Asking what type of sandwich or hot drink/meal someone might like and popping into a shop to get them one? Alternatively, warm gloves or socks as a PP suggested, or donating to a charity specializing in homelessness. He sounds like a lovely lad, OP. I'd be so proud.

Sorry if this had already been suggested but can you donate food at your local supermarket. Mine choose something each time we shop and drop it in the box on the way out.

He sounds lovely, OP. What a kind and thoughtful young man you have raised!

I agree with giving to a homeless charity if he is willing. Failing that, buying people a hot drink or something to eat is better than giving cash.

Completely agree... Christmas (2010) I remember sleeping- rough in a doorway outside NEROS Coffee shop - the streets she covered in snow and the temperatures barely above freezing. I awoke and a good Samaritan approached and give me a LARGE hot chocolate, it made a huge difference to my day.

Thankyou!

I think they're entitled to be a little pissed... considering their circumstances and the inequalities of society. However the majority of rough-sleepers have lots of respect for the general public...

What a lovely boy! Wish there were more like him. I was going to suggest the food bank as many other have suggested.

Both my DC did this. One bought Big Issue and the other found a very small charity that had no overheads and marketing - a local place that provided hot meals for the homeless.

It is lovely that you are raising a compassionate and generous child. Encourage him into politics!