To think that all these people giving away food, are misguided

[00100001]

So, there's a proliferation of people on the local Facebook groups, making packed lunches, buying extra food, putting food out the front of their house for free collection etc. And telling people to collect it, no questions asked, or of they need it delivered, just PM them etc. And people are volunteering to deliver food etc

It's all done with the intention to help others that might be struggling to feed their kids etc

Now, whilst I appreciate the intention is to help others, AIBU to think that actually it doesn't help in the long run?

Surely, the food/money/items would be better given to food banks or similar, as that way local authorities/GPs/care teams etc, can actually provide the help and support these vulnerable people and families need? Potentially there's poverty going "under the radar" if people bypass the systems in place to help them, and that will address the underlying issues that are causing their kids to go without food/heating/whatever.

I'm inclined to agree with you, OP.
I very rarely give anything to people begging in the street, for example, but do give monthly and annual donations to Shelter, Crisis and the Salvation Army, who can make a real difference to people's lives.

The causes of homelessness are complex and some of those on the streets will reject any form of help.

Offering a £2 cup of coffee to a homeless person acknowledges them as a fellow human being and is a simple act of kindness.

What@Iliketeaagain said.

OP "all that buying a coffee does is make you feel good about yourself"

No, not really, why would that make me feel good?

The nights we exchange drunken banter, those make me feel good. I really wonder what has happened to them now.

@00100001

So, there's a proliferation of people on the local Facebook groups, making packed lunches, buying extra food, putting food out the front of their house for free collection etc. And telling people to collect it, no questions asked, or of they need it delivered, just PM them etc. And people are volunteering to deliver food etc

It's all done with the intention to help others that might be struggling to feed their kids etc

Now, whilst I appreciate the intention is to help others, AIBU to think that actually it doesn't help in the long run?

Surely, the food/money/items would be better given to food banks or similar, as that way local authorities/GPs/care teams etc, can actually provide the help and support these vulnerable people and families need? Potentially there's poverty going "under the radar" if people bypass the systems in place to help them, and that will address the underlying issues that are causing their kids to go without food/heating/whatever.

So basicaly your saying "oh noes the illegal immigrants might get food!"

I think buying a hot drink for a homeless person isn't actually helpful. Better to donate that £2 to the shelter imo

I honestly can’t believe I just read that. Donating money automatically means less of it reaches the end user and does nothing for the poor bugger who needs a hot drink right now. Personally I’d add a sandwich but I’m obviously very unhelpful.

@VinylDetective

I think buying a hot drink for a homeless person isn't actually helpful. Better to donate that £2 to the shelter imo

I honestly can’t believe I just read that. Donating money automatically means less of it reaches the end user and does nothing for the poor bugger who needs a hot drink right now. Personally I’d add a sandwich but I’m obviously very unhelpful.

But the problem is that homeless charities tell you to do that, because it stops them getting long term help. By giving them.mkneu/food/drinks, it frees up money for other things, (good or bad) but may prevent them going to shelters etc that help get them off the street.

Why else would the charities advise not giving directly to the homeless??

@Sinful8 ah yes, you caught me,. Natch I want people to go hungry. 🙄

I really worry about the way the government cut loads of stuff, and having the slack picked up by charity is celebrated. Because the govt ought to provide this stuff.

What happens if/ when Corona and Brexit really knacker the economy and far fewer people can afford the charity. What happens to the people who need it then, when it's accepted that it's not the state's job to.

@LunaHeather

OP "all that buying a coffee does is make you feel good about yourself"

No, not really, why would that make me feel good?

The nights we exchange drunken banter, those make me feel good. I really wonder what has happened to them now.

Because you can think to yourself ' I helped that person'. Which yes. You did. For that 30 minutes.

But the homeless charities say to donate directly to them,so they can help try to get them off the streets permanently - so they won't be there in 8 months time, living on dangerous conditions and relying on passers by to give them a hot drink.

This is what I'm saying about ln germ Vs short term. Whilst it's nice to give a person a tin of soup or a coffee. It doesn't help in the long term. Which is what I was trying to get across on the OP

I don’t give a stuff what the charities say. In Mandy Rice Davies’ immortal words “They would say that, wouldn’t they?” If I see someone whose day would be improved by a coffee and a cheese sandwich I’ll buy them one.

I'm with Henio. My first thought was how do we know the donors are covid-free, particularly those putting food outside their houses? They could have been in contact with someone who has the disease and not know it themselves. It is a lovely gesture, but it is still better to help via the official routes.

@VinylDetective

I don’t give a stuff what the charities say. In Mandy Rice Davies’ immortal words “They would say that, wouldn’t they?” If I see someone whose day would be improved by a coffee and a cheese sandwich I’ll buy them one.

Ok. That's your choice. But don't think you're actually helping them off the streets and out if their problems 🤷‍♀️

I tend to believe that the charities and such like know a lot more about it all than the passer by.

I can also make a donation. It’s not one or the other.

I suppose so, yes

I think buying a hot drink for a homeless person isn't actually helpful.
Better to donate that £2 to the shelter imo
I'm sure it is helpful if they are cold to warm them up, they are not going to buy drugs/drink with a hot chocolate, I'd understand if you'd said cash.
Most of the coffee shops leave one to stand here, you buy 2 take 1 and leave it for any struggling person who requests it, people leave meal deals to stand. Shelters aren't always safe some homeless people are underground from family and prefer not to access services.
Okay the food appeal on FB is odd and would be better donated to a shelter.

Ive seen a few doing this but some if them look they have just had a cupboard clear out and can't be asked to take them
Anywhere and want it collected for free as some real random bits in some

We have a community pantry. Lots of "I've just popped down and filled it up with xxx" on Facebook for the kudos.

It's quite an affluent area - the food just gets binned.

@lockeddownandcrazy

Yuck.

Attitudes like yours are what prevent a lot of people seeking help.

If it’s a straight up case of one or the other then yes, of course the money spent preparing a meal to post on FB looking for a family in need would better donated to a food bank. Or the money for a hot drink for a homeless person would be better donated to a homeless shelter or outreach charity. Because if everyone made that choice we’d have a lot of fish pies and hot chocolate and no charities providing organised support.

But...

In practice it doesn’t have to be a trade off. People who give hot drinks someone begging often give to homelessness charities as well.

People like to do something that feels ‘tangible’ and actively connected with the cause they’re trying to help. People give because it feels worthwhile - whether you feel the need to shout it on Facebook or not, it gives you a boost on some level to have done a good deed. You tend to get more of that feeling if you’re putting more of yourself in or getting more out of it. I have regular direct debits with a number of charities but I don’t feel the same about those as I do about the times I’ve helped cook meals at the local shelter, even though my annual donations do more to help people than cooking a hot meal. People will always try to seek out those acts of charity that give them that feeling.

It does drive me a bit up the wall when I see people devoting a huge amount of effort to fairly futile acts of charity (making blankets for the homeless out of crisp packets seems to be latest one) and I wish people would think more about how you really solve homelessness, beyond the ‘hot drink and warm blanket’ model. But i try to remember that people mean well and want to help - sometimes charities need to think harder about how to harness that desire to help.

OP "Because you can think to yourself ' I helped that person'. Which yes. You did. For that 30 minutes."

Who's got that kind of time? Before this, London life for many was pile off a horribly crowded Tube, possibly get a hot drink for someone sitting outside the station and you're not even thinking about it when you hand it over, your brain is already at work.

As for the charities, I think you have a very rosy view. Also, some homeless people don't want the services that might be on offer.

Obviously it won't happen now but if you ever see a drunk lady handing out McDonalds at Lewisham station on a Friday night, she's my mate. 😂 And she's done her time with big charities too.

Tell you what, this thread makes me even more convinced that Facebook is not good!

@Elphame

My local community has a village food pantry which is free and open to all. It's supported by a local supermarket that provides it with unsold BBE bread and fresh vegetables which would otherwise be discarded.

Would you really rather that all went in the bin? The local foodbank won't accept that sort of donation.

Same here.

Run by a local church. Mix of nearly out of date produce from local supermarkets, and toiletries, washing powder etc bought from donations.

No referrals needed or limits on how often supplies are collected.

So many people (the OP included it seems) don't realise that food banks and any other government help is only available, once every few weeks.
I'm not ashamed to admit that I've had to use our local food bank once before and they were very very clear about the fact that they could only be visited once every 6 weeks. I made a point of asking if this was a temporary time scale due to lack of stock etc but nope, they have to restrict it to this due to the sheer volume of visitors.
Each time you visit, you're given what I would call the equivalent of a week's shopping (although the bags of rice & pasta would likely last longer of course)

So well done to your locals op! There is only one other source of governmental help available on top of the pittance that is universal credit, and that's the Local Assistance Fund, who give £40 supermarket vouchers (and has & electric top ups if required) but ONLY twice a year!

Crisis loans ended years ago. Universal credit will give a loan which they call a 'budgeting advance' but only one at a time, so if you've previously had one you're still paying off then you cannot take out another.

Thankfully I don't need food banks etc anymore but I'm so SO fed up of hearing people talking about 'all the government help available' when there is HARDLY ANYTHING when it comes to people living in poverty! Hardly any support/help whatsoever.
Whether or not poor families have contributed to them ending up in their situation is totally irrelevant of course - Covid put a lot of people into that situation as we all know.

So yeah, wind your neck in OP and educate yourself

Anybody trying to help others access food should be applauded. Not labelled as misguided.
Some of the stuff I have seen recently on social media looks good and practical. Like people leaving extra/spare coats on a specific bridge and anyone who can use one helps themselves. That's brilliant that is.
I think direct giving has its place.