Have you ever been homeless? Poor and without money for food or rent? What was your lowest point in life?

Question

I am wondering how many people will seriously answer these questions. How many truthfully. And how many really understand what the poor go through. I have been homeless through no fault of my own while pregnant with my oldest son, I have gone a week without eating and let me tell you a stale bread and cheese sandwhich can task like filet mignon! I work for a living but if I lost my job or could not work we would be homeless within a month as I do not make enough to save much. Have you thought about how people in these situations feel? Now tell me if we should let feeding the homeless be illegal?

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2...

I reside in the good ole U.S.A. and it is illegal in Nevada

I have never taken welfare and do not plan to. Luckily I work in a field that will always have work. I have and always will support my children this is not about my situation but that in general. Do not judge where you have not been.

Sorry for the rant the "Within a month" part was a bit exaggerated but many live within this framework. Too many jobs do not support adaquately.

Are we as Christians if not as human beings called to feed them?

Thank you Clarencegirl case in point.

Answer 1

You bet, been there, and feeding the homeless should not be illegal.

Answer 2

I have been there. . . homeless, out of work, and can totally relate to stale bread and cheese being the meal of the week.

I disagree with feeding the homeless being illegal, but I do understand why. . . cities do not want homeless people in the public view, why do you think the largest majority of shelters are away from downtown and/or tourist attractions? It is bad for business.

I do not have an answer for it other than for the city to provide food for them, but I, as a taxpayer, do not want to feed people 3 meals a day. I can barely afford to feed my own family at times and the additional taxes would be more of a burden for me.

Ideally, perhaps the city can provide jobs for these people - in Milwaukee, some parks are becoming unkept because there isn't enough money to pay people to clean them up. If the city were to hire the homeless and pay them with food and shelter we could have cleaner parks, and fewer homeless. Some people are just to lazy to want to work.

I know some people are homeless due to their own fault - drugs, booze, lack of job skills. Many are homeless due to mental instability (which was shocking when I read this - mentally unstable people discharged by the state and left to their own resources).

All of this comes down to money - Feed the homeless costs money to the city, money the city doesn't have - so lets feed them, and raise the taxes of the people - people do not want their taxes raised, but they want something done. So where does the money come from? Fewer police and fire officials, less garbage pick up and snow removal, lower quality eduation, less road construction or repair and many other services. Now we will complain about those things. It is a never ending circle of "fix this, but don't take more of my money".

I am with you though, if I lost my job today, I wouldn't last 2 months with my current expenses - I have been homeless in the past, and it is something that I have vowed I will never be again.

Sorry for going on and on like this - I am not thinking with all my usual clarity today. Monday you know.

Answer 3

Yes, I have seriously been homeless, due to my stupid pride, so I can't say it was my fault. I had lost my job, and was living on the streets. I didn't eat for about two and a half months; lost 80 lbs. My Dad sent me money to come home and I was not going to come home in defeat(that pride issue again), but the homeless people I hung around(I was in Houston during the 80's) walked me to the bus station, put me on a bus, and sent me home to TN. I think everybody should experience being homeless for a week just to see a small bit of what it is like. Nobody wants to be homeless, some of these people are mentally ill, but most just need a break. Nobody is going to give you a job when your permant address is under the Gulf Freeway. Fast food restaurants will not hire you because they fear that you will give food away to your compatriots. Nobody cares how people who are homeless feel until they are there, and according to a few surveys that are out, most of the U.S. population is only a paycheck away from being homeless. No, I do not think that feeding the homeless should ever be illegal. I am trying to get laws changed right now that currently have restuarants throwing away food that they prepare but do noe sell. The U.S. wastes more food than any other nation, and if we donated that food to homeless shelters, or to the underpriviledged and elderly, we could have a stronger America, but we are so into our pride and selfishness, and what's in it for me, that it seems we will never do it. That was my lowest point, but I learn something from it. Instead of learning how to survive, I learn to survive, and I will bet that anybody who has ever been homeless knows what I am saying. The homeless are true survivors.

Answer 4

I'm sorry about what you went through. Looking back, though, you gained a sense of compassion that many people never have the opportunity to experience. The lowest point in my life was when I lost everything -- absolutely everything -- in a fire. All I had were the nightclothes I was wearing. I almost died that night. It hurt so much to lose everything, I considered suicide.

I understand the reason why feeding the homeless is against the law. There are so many sick people around who would do them harm. The homeless would be an easy target. We should support our homeless shelters, get involved with legitimate programs that help those who need it.

Answer 5

The poorest I was when I immigrated to Canada almost 5 years ago.I had only a suitcase and a backpack .I lived at a friend's place,had just a little room,shitty bad,paper box as a table and I ate food from dollar store and walked to and from work 45 min,made $500 a month,rent was $600...So I worked double shifts and felt so rich with $1000 a month because I paid rent and bought food...
I will never forget those times,I remember so well that day when I could go to a nice grocery store,buy nice food(I still remember I bought a muesli bread for $3.50)and had extra $30 so I bought a pair of jeans...I'm ok now,have a place,credit cards,computers,digital cameras,sewing machines,plan to open a fashion business...But no one will ever make me forget those hungry times at the beginning...So,let's help the homeless,they deserve a chance to have a decent life like everybody else.

Answer 6

I was never homeless. But I have been poor to the point that I didn't know when I was going to eat next because all of the little bit of money I did have went to feeding my child.

I do think about it and try help when and where I can.

But, just where is it illegal to feed the homeless? I've had cops help me feed the homeless. It's illegal for them to panhandle without a license (which is Free in most areas). How could anyone stop you from feeding the homeless?

Answer 7

i have never been homeless really i mean i have lived in a tent in a backyard of a friends house my oldest son was a baby then but i think that the lowest i have been is right now.. i have a home but it is in real bad condition i am now a single mom of 5 kids the ages are 10, 7, 5, 3, and 6 months.. their dad left in may and took the money and the vehicle i do not have child care and he does not help at all we scrimp everyday just to get by.. i know my problems are nothin compared to some but everyone needs help at some time or another in life and i do not think you should kick some one while they are down and out cause things change and it could be you in a minute.. i think that you should be able to help people in any way that you choose to i hope that answered your question.

Answer 8

I've been homeless and have gone without eating for some days in my life. It was very sad time.
I've changed since that time much. A friend in need is a friend indeed. That's what I've learnt. Another lesson was to be more frugal and not waste money on something I didn't really need. It was very difficult for me to start buying clothes again, even my financial situation had gradually improved, because I was always afraid to get into trouble again and when I thought of hunger... well, I didn't have a wish to buy clothes or make-up.
Now I have recovered from this fobia.
I know how people in this situation feel.What about feeding homeless people... well, in my country they should take care of themselves, government don't think of them and nobody just nobody helps them out.

Answer 9

I have, in fact most of my childhood was spent roaming the state, in search of better jobs for my parents, and cheaper places to live. There were many times we didn't have a place to stay and lived out by the lake or in a run down cabin of sorts. When we had an actual home we generally didn't have running water, electriciy or gas. Food was always scarce. My parents tried to do the best they could without asking from others, but it just seemed they could never get out of that rut until we all moved out. I ended up taking care of my younger sister. People tend to look past the obvious, if you look like you're taking care of yourself, then you must not need help. When I was taking care of my sister, I was the only one doing so. No one wants to help someone who "looks" capable. I needed help, I could barely manage to pay rent and support the two of us on the three jobs that I held. Even then I always shared what I had left over to make sure the others out there were struggling had a hand. Feeding the homeless, who TRUELY need help should not be illegal, those who purposely put themselves in that situation and try not to help themselves take away from those who need that boost. It's not right for children (poor or whatever) to go without. If people would actively support their communities and ensure it's going to those who really need the help, things like this wouldn't be so hard. In my area we have to many con-artists who take from those who just need that one thing to help them, but get denied because some lazy douche bag sucked up all the funds again, rather than getting out finding a job and giving back. It's amazing how poor people will always give everything they have to help someone else, but rich people have little committees and decided where to "delegate" the funds to have the most impressive impact.

Answer 10

I do understand the problems of the working poor in the United States. I don't know what country you are in, tho, for it to be illegal to feed the homeless.

Addendum added a few hours later......

I had no idea it was illegal to feed the homeless in Nevada, so I apologize for my ignorance.

I do, however, require some clarification. Is it just illegal for the homeless to panhandle and harrass people for food/money or does Nevada have no food stamps, food banks, soup kitchens, or churches with potluck dinners to which the entire community is invited to participate?

I'm sorry if I sound sarcastic or harsh, but I've seen those who take advantage of others in their need for "food." There is a guy in my hometown who has stood on the same corner for 3 1/2 years with a sign stating that he is "stranded and needs money for food/gas to get home." I've seen him leave after his "shift" and his car (parked across the road & hidden from view) is nicer than mine.

Those who honestly need help, deserve it. Its just too bad that the "others" have to ruin it for everyone else.

Answer 11

i haven't been homeless as an adult , however my mum was homeless and we had to separate from her until she could get a home
she ran away from her then fiance who beat her and raped her . she left with nothing
we stayed at my aunts and mum would visit each day to help feed us on the little she got from social money
she got help through the salvation army to get a home and some furniture
i know that while getting a little to feed me and my sister , my mum did go without for some time , just eating our leftovers
i would tell mum to eat and she would make excuses like she has just eaten or she will eat later , but i knew she wasn't
it is all too easy to be in this sort of situation and i near cry every time i see someone homeless
you cant get a house without a job in some places .. yet you cant get a job without an address
its a terrible vicious circle
xx