Yep, check it out. San Diego has some amazing social service programs. http://www.svdpv.org/program.html For the general foodbanks you have to volunteer unless you are over the age of 60, pregnant, have a child under the age of 5 or have a terminal illness. People with developmental disabilities in the county food bank or no foodbank usually have jobs with the support of a jobcoach. The few homeless people you saw downtown were there because they chose not to get help. We are a republican county but they are compasionate conservatives for the most part.
Hmmm and while I agree I would put it in a more dignified way. The goal is to empower these people and make them realize they are capable of being contributing memebers of society. Think how you treat your most meager staff, you give them more responsiblity right to let them know that they are competent. It's the same principal when dealing with people who are less fortunate.
some phrase it as giving people a pat on the butt, others a swift kick in the ass. the end goals in mind are equal though and that is the essence of this thread. from what I see, the Soup Kitchens/Social services around me are a great benefit in that they help people survive their day, but I think they could do more to help people help themselves and the community
Scamming? Going to the soup kitchen at lunch scamming? Not meaning to be rude... but that sounds rediculous. I can just picture two lawyers at their office deciding where they will go for lunch.. "Well we could go to the keg.... or just save some cash and go eat nasty gruel at the soup kitchen" I'm sure you have volunteered at soup kitchens before. If you havn't then here is a little rundown: Much of the food is expired, jus is made from compost waste, bread is stale, and the soup chunky and bland. The atmosphere is dingy. People are so ashamed of being there that many of them do not even make eye contact as you are handing out food. For you to think of yourself as one who can judge these people, legit from undeserving, ...it gives me an unsettling feeling. When I was visiting the poorer areas of Mexico I learnt a very good lesson. I had brought many toys along on the trip, and at one point i was walking along the street with a friend playing with a small rubber ball that i had brought..... intentions being that I would give it to the poorest, saddest, most hell-ridden child I could find. Well anyways we were buying sundays or something rediculous at an outdoors cornerstore when a little girl came up to us at tried selling us candy (this is not uncommon, many people make their living selling random things on teh street). I was snobby and not in the mood so I said no. Then she smiled at me and stuck out her little arm and asked me , or at least communicated, if she could have the ball. I stared at her in disbelief. She was around 10 years old, a pretty brand new dress, make up, and a great grin. Why would I give it to her? Well I ended up giving it to her out of fear of saying no.... and when I looked rattled my friend asked me what was wrong. Upon my explanation he reminded me that my intentions had been to give it away. Who was I to judge who needed it? If someone asked me for it then they obviously needed it more than myself. Bottom line: the girl obviously needed it more than sunday-eating rich boy me. You can't know whats behind her smile. This story also reminds me of a man that comes into our soup kitchen at every meal. He is tall, white, clean-shaven, and wears a business suit. Every day he comes in, smiles, eats 2-3 refills, and, before leaving, warmly thanks each and every volunteer. For the longest time I wondered why he kept coming. Well it turns out he is a divorced and unemployed alcoholic who lives in poverty. Who was I to know. PLEASE dont judge peace-love tom
i also think though there are some people that give and take at different times. i know you cant expect everyone to just be like that. dan and i for example have been to food banks... we no longer go there but we've had to go before and dan and i have also contributed much money and food to the local food bank before and after. if people behaved responsibly on their own... in that if you need you take but when you can give, you give... it wouldnt be so much a problem.
I like you That's why I can't go to mexico. I live an hour away, work 30 minutes away from it but will only go late at night and through the border crossing 3 hours away because the poverty is too much for my spoiled, white touristy self to comprehend at the san ysidro crossing. It makes me horrible but it's the truth. Southern Californians do not go to Mexico during the day because it is a buzz kill and we go to drink, lounge on the beach and get cheap cosmetic surgery and pills while the majority of the population in baja california is starving. But then you look over near the race track and the country club and you see that 10 percent of tiajuana is filthy rich and does nothing to help their own people out. I am philanthropic, volunteer and do everything I can to help but when I am powerless I assume blindness.
You are far from powerless.... there's something you can give to them that is far more appreciated than a bowl of rice, or a quarter in a tin can. Give your hand, or even a smile, reassure the poor one by one with the notion that not all people with money and white skin are arrogant, snobby, selfish, and blind. It's not all selfless anyways ... you'll find the warmth you recieve in return is well worth your efforts.
most soup kitchens DO let clients volunteer to help out. but also most tend to be run primarily by sociology students from the nearest college or university, and of course seminary. they generaly tend to be sponsered through 'christian' organizations, with most noncristian religeous and other interested parties who otherwise would, not being granted the exceptions to health and building codes that 'christian' organizations are that enable them to function, nor other, supposedly seperated church from state, governmental defacto subsidies and considerations. and clients do, in a most unfortunate sense for everyone, pay for eating there, by having to spend so much of their time standing in lines waiting to get in that there is little or no time left to look for work or get and stay cleaned up to be able to do so. this is the catch 22 that drives many homeless people to drink, substance abuse or mental illness. which most of them did NOT have problems with before becoming homeles. =^^= .../\...
There are soup kitchens that take a dollar to buy a meal... it's a dignity thing, even tho people are poor, they don't want to take something for nothing. But yes, I'm all for the free service, if it helps people in need, there shouldn't be a charge for it.
The only single reason I say no is because I think that the "regulars" (those coming daily) should offer to volunteer perhaps once a month at the kitchen. Other than that, I think it's a very positive thing for those in need.
well that's kind of a good idea but if someone didnt HAVE a dollar... they should still be able to eat.... maybe have a donation bucket and if someone give fifty cents, they can give fifty cents or whatever.
See I live right down the street from the local Soup kitchen and the regulars there don't do squat. They sit around starting at 9 AM waiting for it to open at 11, then hang all afternoon when it closes at 1 until it opens back up again at 5. They liter all over the streets and basically just sit by the curb, smoke butts and panhandle. I think if they are physically capable, they should have to volunteer some and contribute to the community. Show up an hour before lunch or dinner is served and walk the streets picking up trash. Perhaps plant a few trees, just do something to help out instead of just sitting around waiting for the free meal while they panhandle enough coin to get a couple of 40's. Those that show great initiative perhaps could be offered jobs with the town department of public works. Don't get me wrong, I feel for these people I really do and place great value in helping them out, but an even greater help would be to help them, help themselves get out of their situation and back to living, working and contributing to the community.
what's wrong with giving something and expecting nothing in return. i think it's a wonderful idea to make resources available for people who are ready to rejoin the 'community', but for those who arent ready yet, what's wrong with making sure that they have a warm nutritious meal in their belly and a safe place to sleep?
... No shit eh? you'd think selflessness would be a more common priority around here... I guess not...
but does her louis vuitton bag really have an impact on how much she accomplishes? I mean shit she's doing more than you and I. One could say that you should give your computer away to help others...there's a difference between being philanthopic and communistic.
