How To Feed The Homeless Tips and Thoughts
First and foremost I have met many good people on the street, many on the street or living in Tent Citys because of very unfortunate circumstances and they just have not caught a break but they keep trying and do not give up and I have seen and helped many get out of their situation. Then you have the ones with mental health issues and you can only do so much if anything at all this country has to do better much better on that.
But never the less you will run into many that do not want to be approached and left alone, or you will run into some that are up to no good. Sadly that can be the case you cannot simply go into an area with people sometimes many people you do not know.
This is one of those do not do what I do moments, but rather here is what you should do if you decide to help people like I do. All I want you to do is be safe in case you decide to help others.
- Know your surroundings… Do not just walk into an area blindly, do a few drive-bys or sit at an area so you can see and observe things for like 10 15 min to see who is walking around, inside their tents if there are any. Most of all see how many people are around, if you only have enough for a few then just move on, and find a spot with fewer people. I have seen 8 people start handing stuff out then before I know it there is another 10 to 15 so yea that can happen.
- DO NOT EVER Give money or carry any money on you, one might ask you to go to an ATM and the answer will still be no. If you give someone a dollar and 20 people see that then they will start approaching you. You may want to give them 50 cents or something but don’t do it.
- DO NOT get too personal like letting them know what you do for a living, tell them a roundabout way where you stay at. It’s human nature to be nice and have a conversation and by all means, do but just be careful what you talk about.
- If you stop where everyone is make sure your windows are closed and you have nothing on your seats that someone can see and take. For crowds of over 2 people park close so they can not surround your car or yourself. I like to park 10 to 15 feet away so I can get the big picture and well it keeps people from trying to get into my truck as well. Sometimes I’m in and out very quickly for a reason and at times you need to be.
- Trust no one sadly you can’t, you never know what is on a person’s mind or who is watching you
- Keep people at a safe distance at times I have gotten and hug or a handshake and that is fine but until you know for sure its best to have people at arms length
Last but not least… DO NOT Approach anyone, Keep your eyes on everyone at all times and beware of scams. Pay attention to what they are wearing and what they look like, some pose as homeless in order to get free money, food, or whatever else. However, some may be new to being homeless but still, watch what they do before you do anything else. If you have food, water, and clothes and they still ask for money then that is your biggest clue, and handle it accordingly, or sometimes it’s better to walk away.
I will say this and keep on saying this, be very careful in what you do, where you go, and how you do it. You never know what is out there.
I know many want to help and their hearts are in the right place, but this is not as easy as one would might think. Sometimes they will approach you and maybe have good intentions but in the end, you never know.
