to think that if I want to buy a homeless person a coffee I can?

[SuperMassiveIssue]

In McDonald's. Homeless man taps me on the shoulder at the self service. 'Excuse me miss, I'm homeless and was wondering if you could spare any change' - me: 'I've got no change on me but I will happily buy you a coffee?' - homeless man: 'that would be amazing if you could, thank you so much'

At which point a miserable old git scowled at me and said 'you're just as much of a problem as they are'

I feel angry. We don't do enough for the homeless in the UK in my opinion and actually, what harm is it for me to buy a man a drink?

Probably should've let it go over my head but it's upset me as my brother was homeless for a short while. He's wonderful, generous, kind, and sadly misguided at times. He's turned his life around and I'm so glad for those who bought coffee and food for him whilst he was homeless unbeknownst to his family...

KittyHawke80
I do give money

That's a really silly thing to do. A good friend of mine works with the homeless and she finds the bodies after people have given money. Not a smart thing to do.

To be fair to McDonald's they'd got my order wrong and gave me the wring drink as well as the correct one to give to the homeless bloke outside.

SwimCap, how very condescending and judgemental. I give money too because - well, it's mine and I can do what I like with it.

Well why don't you go and help pick up some of the bodies then? Or would that be too distasteful for you. My friend has been doing this for 20+ years, she and the charities say don't give cash for very good reason. You give cash and walk away, other people clean up. Yes, I am judgmental of people that think they know better than the experts.

I hate how some people are about homelessness

‘They will just spend it on drugs

It’s best to give to homeless charities

According to the homeless charity crisis two thirds of homeless people cite drug or alcohol use as a reason for first becoming homeless and those who use drugs are seven times more likely to be homeless. I have often bought a cups of tea or food for homeless folk, I never give money though. as the chances are you are indirectly funding drug abuse. I have a direct debit with Shelter and genuinely feel that they are better placed at focusing resources to areas that will have the best positive outcomes for the homeless.

I'd rather give it direct to the homeless person, thank you, SwimCap, that way I know they're actually getting it and I'm not paying some chief executive's six figure salary.

The MacDonalds worker are the type of people who make this world a nasty place, well done, I would have bought him big bottle of water, as it is so hot in this weather.

We have a lot of homeless about, it is expensive to keep buying them drinks and food, so I give some money each month to a local homeless charity, not national.

I'd rather give it direct to the homeless person, thank you, SwimCap, that way I know they're actually getting it and I'm not paying some chief executive's six figure salary.

My friend and her colleagues are all volunteers. You are clueless if you really believe what you said above.

Yeah we have many fantastic homeless charities, even if 10% goes on further fundraising, they are still experts in homelessness and if you gift aid your donation, your tax relief is more than the costs of the charity.

My friend and her colleagues are all volunteers. You are clueless if you really believe what you said above.

You are just as clueless, look at the charities websites, see the chuggers in the street, they aren't volunteers.
Look at the flash cars the regional managers drive, let alone the top managers and CEO large salary.

There is nothing wrong with giving to a local charity, but check where the money actually goes. I don't give to Shelter for this reason.

Homeless charities ask you not to give cash. I sponsor a room at Centrepoint for £12 a month so if you have a little spare cash and can afford it please do that.

Buying a coffee or something is fine.

I rarely give cash but sponsor a meal for 3o plus people once a month I only got into town once a week but will always buy food and drink and chat. Even just saying goodmornjng means something

I would always donate san pro instead of food at supermarkets,and often put in toiletries

I cannot imagine how awful it must be to live on the streets and I'm sure I would be blocking everything out the best way I could

@gillybeanz I don't work for Shelter. The charity I do work for, every single one of us including the boss is an unpaid volunteer. No fancy cars or 6 figure salaries (well from the charity, from people's private dayjobs I've no idea what they might earn tbh)

We don't claim to fix the problem, we aren't the solution - just a friendly face and non judgemental kindness if they choose to accept what we offer them.

I believe there are other such charities as they work alongside us. Perhaps you could investigate supporting these such charities... we exist

I’m a student and if you present your student card in McDonalds you get free fries or a cheeseburger or a McFlurry with your order. I normally do this and then give the free item to the homeless bloke outside.

wasit

I wasn't saying the charity you work for was the same.
I was saying why I wouldn't give to the leading charities.
I take blankets, food, carrier bags (for feet warmth), socks and all manner of winter woolies.
I buy them water, hot drinks and food.
Sometimes I give them money, I'd need a stiff drink if I was outside all night.

I had to explain to my dd why a homeless man she had grown to like, to chat to and respect in some ways, could then rob a woman when she was dying in his arms.
I know the issues of homelessness are complex, but you do what you can.
I don't support charities where 100% of their fundraising isn't spent on humans.
That's the way I am, I don't want to pay for the other stuff, others can pay wages and publicity, marketing professionals if they like, it's up to them.
I just cut all of that out and give to individuals.

shelter provide advice and campaigns not housing. that comes from paying more tax and we dont want to do that.

there are charities that do provide hostels and drug services.

A year and a half ago I moved areas, were in A nice enough area, but it’s between two rougher areas,

We regularly have drug users using our estate to go begging door to door, burglaries we’re becoming regular, since moving here I have seen more needles discarded than I’ve ever seen in my life, needles just discarded in the middle of the street, in the alleyways between our houses that lead only to our gardens.
The things we have seen.
Before moving I always gave cash, now I will offer a sandwich, I will offer coffee, before I used to give money. There were so many times I’d give people money and they’d continue begging, despite having more than they told me they needed.

Living in the mess that’s created by people giving beggars money has definitely woken me up.

I’d still have no qualms about offering food, drink etc, but no not money anymore.

I am glad to see that many people are kind enough to do the same.

This discussion has really cheered me up!
There are lovely people in this country. Thankyou!
And yes I do give to the homeless!

I agree that there are local grassroots charities that do good
2 examples are the soup kitchen and winter night shelter ran by local churches near me
They certainly don’t have a marketing budget or ceos

I also agree that I could support them more (have done in the past) and I might just swing by

But be it a blanket , a cup of tea , some san pro or a £1 coin some one of one support is NOT a bad thing

And I will lose my rag at the next person who implies that they have a stress free life . Or that they bought it on themself

stopfucking.........................there is still a reluctance from some people to admit that Universal Credit is playing a part.

Good for you OP

Isn't there a pilot scheme where you can put cash into a machine and homeless people can get things like socks out using a key card? Did I just dream that?

is this aibu a genuine question?

Not a dream

www.theguardian.com/society/2017/dec/19/first-vending-machine-homeless-people-launches-uk-nottingham

www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2017/nov/10/universal-credit-homeless-charity-income-loss