FabSwingers.com forum: Homeless/Lonely.

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Now I know that it's not just at Christmas that we should be in a giving mood as some are in need all year but I do get quite ashamed at the amount I spend on friends and family that really don't need at all.

Before now I've given to those begging on the streets but now I'm wary of this since many are actually earning a small fortune (tax free) or simply waste it on drugs.

Tomorrow i would like to take a gift to someone who really needs it. I don't tend to give to big charities since much gets swallowed up in admin.

Where or who do I go these days to give or help those who may have no Christmas?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Have you thought of donating some time instead of money?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Is there any food banks near you?

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By *atcoupleCouple
over a year ago

Suffolk - East Anglia

"Now I know that it's not just at Christmas that we should be in a giving mood as some are in need all year but I do get quite ashamed at the amount I spend on friends and family that really don't need at all.

Before now I've given to those begging on the streets but now I'm wary of this since many are actually earning a small fortune (tax free) or simply waste it on drugs.

Tomorrow i would like to take a gift to someone who really needs it. I don't tend to give to big charities since much gets swallowed up in admin.

Where or who do I go these days to give or help those who may have no Christmas? "

Nice charitable thought here. I think the Salvation Army is a good place to donate as they look after homeless and the needy and it's mainly voluntary work. As far as I know they don't have fat cats on big salaries so I would assume your money goes to those who need it.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I don't know any food banks local or Salvation Army.

Donating time would be the best option but afraid that's one thing I'm short of myself

It would be good to find an elderly couple maybe who have no family to share some Christmas cheer with.

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By *atcoupleCouple
over a year ago

Suffolk - East Anglia

"I don't know any food banks local or Salvation Army.

Donating time would be the best option but afraid that's one thing I'm short of myself

It would be good to find an elderly couple maybe who have no family to share some Christmas cheer with. "

Then Age Concern is your best place.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Have you thought of donating some time instead of money?"

It's one thing I agree is far better than money but like many others, time is difficult so giving is an easier option.

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By *atcoupleCouple
over a year ago

Suffolk - East Anglia

"Have you thought of donating some time instead of money?

It's one thing I agree is far better than money but like many others, time is difficult so giving is an easier option. "
You can donate on line to Sal Army and most others.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Before now I've given to those begging on the streets but now I'm wary of this since many are actually earning a small fortune (tax free) or simply waste it on drugs.

Tomorrow i would like to take a gift to someone who really needs it. I don't tend to give to big charities since much gets swallowed up in admin.

Where or who do I go these days to give or help those who may have no Christmas? "

I'd say donate groceries to the food bank?

I've just taken 30 scarves to the homeless charity in Newport.

Or, it may be too late for this, most local authority offer an Operation Santa appeal for toys for needy children. Good idea to find out for next year?

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I don't know any food banks local or Salvation Army.

Donating time would be the best option but afraid that's one thing I'm short of myself

It would be good to find an elderly couple maybe who have no family to share some Christmas cheer with.

Then Age Concern is your best place. "

I could be wrong but I believe the CEO of Age Concern earns almost £200,000 per annum.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

People in this Country have not seen real hardship. speaking from experiance. The only time i would think about it if mental issues where involved,

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Contact your local Hospital visitors liaison ...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have no qualms about donating to large charities, it's entirely appropriate for organisations that large to employ staff on salaries commensurate with the scale of their position.

But I've also donated gifts (toiletries, cosmetics etc) directly to local refuge centre through work, so perhaps something like that could be an option.

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

It's too late to volunteer as you need to have a CRB check done...maybe buy some thermal socks and gloves and wrap them up and if you see someone sleeping rough give it up them....

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

[Removed by poster at 23/12/16 15:49:10]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

this year, instead of sending Christmas cards I have donated £22.32 to Crisis.. this pays for a homeless person to spend Christmas in a shelter with 3 hot meals (including Christmas dinner), a chance to clean up and get fresh clothes and a medical check up...

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By *atcoupleCouple
over a year ago

Suffolk - East Anglia

"I don't know any food banks local or Salvation Army.

Donating time would be the best option but afraid that's one thing I'm short of myself

It would be good to find an elderly couple maybe who have no family to share some Christmas cheer with.

Then Age Concern is your best place.

I could be wrong but I believe the CEO of Age Concern earns almost £200,000 per annum. "

Ah! I didn't know that. Thanks.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"I don't know any food banks local or Salvation Army.

Donating time would be the best option but afraid that's one thing I'm short of myself

It would be good to find an elderly couple maybe who have no family to share some Christmas cheer with.

Then Age Concern is your best place.

I could be wrong but I believe the CEO of Age Concern earns almost £200,000 per annum. "

I struggle with high earning charity bosses especially when further down the line the charity relies on donations and volunteers. The problem is how do they attract talented business people if they can't pay competitive wages?

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By *hor ThumbMan
over a year ago

bristol

Before now I've given to those begging on the streets but now I'm wary of this since many are actually earning a small fortune (tax free) or simply waste it on drugs.

Tomorrow i would like to take a gift to someone who really needs it. I don't tend to give to big charities since much gets swallowed up in admin.

Where or who do I go these days to give or help those who may have no Christmas? "
if you take a little time to listen to their back story, you will see that we're all just 1 mortgage payment away from that predicament. Theyre not all on drink and drugs and those that are...can you blame them, they've been rejected and ignored by society. Even better than money is taking time out to notice them and interact....youll be surprised at the stories you hear x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Before now I've given to those begging on the streets but now I'm wary of this since many are actually earning a small fortune (tax free) or simply waste it on drugs.

Tomorrow i would like to take a gift to someone who really needs it. I don't tend to give to big charities since much gets swallowed up in admin.

Where or who do I go these days to give or help those who may have no Christmas? if you take a little time to listen to their back story, you will see that we're all just 1 mortgage payment away from that predicament. Theyre not all on drink and drugs and those that are...can you blame them, they've been rejected and ignored by society. Even better than money is taking time out to notice them and interact....youll be surprised at the stories you hear x"

I agree wholeheartedly. I always try to take time out if time allows to chat with homeless people and have heard some heartbreaking stories. Not everyone has the same level of resilience to deal with crisis and hurt.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"People in this Country have not seen real hardship. speaking from experiance. The only time i would think about it if mental issues where involved, "

How can you justify that statement. A young lad in my village lost both his parents, suddenly within a week. He was 17, unbeknownst to him his parents were in arrears with their rent. The day we buried his mam, he received an eviction notice, jus dad had still not been buried. The housing association wanted to evict him the day after his father's funeral had taken place. He had no other family.

I think that is real hardship.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"People in this Country have not seen real hardship. speaking from experiance. The only time i would think about it if mental issues where involved,

I think that is real hardship. "

As sad as it is, there are places and people to get help from in this Country, In My wife's County you either work and live or die if you dont, life is cheap in Asia. My wife lived on two boiled eggs a week and a hand full of rice, the rice was flavored with soy sauce, She never had birthdays Christmas, never had sweets becasue her parents could not afford them, her grand parents looked after her as a child while her mam and dad where trying to find work to live, no state hand outs or institutions to get help Nothing, unlike this nanystate Country, children stolen and Maimed, hands cut off, legs deliberately broken, children blinded, all to work as beggars for gangs, thats why i can make a statement like i have.

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By *osieWoman
over a year ago

Wembley

Your local Church will most probably organise a Christmas lunch for those who are alone over Christmas; it is usually the elderly but not exclusively

Washing pots and pans, waitressing, driving a couple of people to and from the venue can be more rewarding to you and to them than a gift. Doesn't mean that a gift is not a good idea. But you will be surprised how much you giving up your Christmas Day for others will hake you happy and them happy

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"this year, instead of sending Christmas cards I have donated £22.32 to Crisis.. this pays for a homeless person to spend Christmas in a shelter with 3 hot meals (including Christmas dinner), a chance to clean up and get fresh clothes and a medical check up...

Fair play babe!!

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By *ezebelWoman
over a year ago

North of The Wall - youll need your vest

"I don't know any food banks local or Salvation Army.

Donating time would be the best option but afraid that's one thing I'm short of myself

It would be good to find an elderly couple maybe who have no family to share some Christmas cheer with. "

http://www.stonegazette.co.uk/2016/12/alone-christmas-free-lunch-hub/

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Before now I've given to those begging on the streets but now I'm wary of this since many are actually earning a small fortune (tax free) or simply waste it on drugs.

Tomorrow i would like to take a gift to someone who really needs it. I don't tend to give to big charities since much gets swallowed up in admin.

Where or who do I go these days to give or help those who may have no Christmas? "

There will be those around you at this time in need, it could be a family member, a friend or neighbours, a work collegue, look and listen, think and you you discern somebody you come in contact with that is in need of help ...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Was reading something by an ex-homeless person who said don't give anything. Instead one of the best ways to help is to report them to a local charity.

Streetlink has an app for it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Have you thought of donating some time instead of money?"

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Well said.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I know in Edinburgh that a lot of charities that help the homeless have been looking for donations of toiletries and towels. These are items that people often forget about - in particular sanitary products for women.

Google is your friend- good luck in finding a centre close to you.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I don't know any food banks local or Salvation Army.

Donating time would be the best option but afraid that's one thing I'm short of myself

It would be good to find an elderly couple maybe who have no family to share some Christmas cheer with.

http://www.stonegazette.co.uk/2016/12/alone-christmas-free-lunch-hub/"

Thank you. That's local

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Its good to give to charity, and hard to trust which ones to give to. But lookingbthrough history and financial records, the sal army is one that i wouldn't give to.

Local foodbank or soup kitchen is best.

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By *tokiefatladMan
over a year ago

Stoke on trent

Before now I've given to those begging on the streets but now I'm wary of this since many are actually earning a small fortune (tax free) or simply waste it on drugs.

Tomorrow i would like to take a gift to someone who really needs it. I don't tend to give to big charities since much gets swallowed up in admin.

Where or who do I go these days to give or help those who may have no Christmas? "

Hi. I took some things to the Macari Centre in Hanley last night , also in Stoke is St Marks and the Salvation Army !!!!

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By *rank n BettyCouple
over a year ago

Not meeting

There is a Salvation Army here in Stafford however I have boycotted them since they welcomed a convicted paedophile back into their fold.

I donated to our women's aid refuge via the local supermarket - mainly because it was easy

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Before now I've given to those begging on the streets but now I'm wary of this since many are actually earning a small fortune (tax free) or simply waste it on drugs.

Tomorrow i would like to take a gift to someone who really needs it. I don't tend to give to big charities since much gets swallowed up in admin.

Where or who do I go these days to give or help those who may have no Christmas?

However the Salvation Army *do* fund anti-gay treatment programmes, and that's not ok.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Your local Church will most probably organise a Christmas lunch for those who are alone over Christmas; it is usually the elderly but not exclusively

My church is a venue for a Christmas lunch like you have described.

They also are a collection point for a food bank too.

The YMCA work closely in my area with the local homeless people.

There are lots of ways that people can make donations of different types.

Facebook is also a good source of information on what help is required.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I give money to Crisis each year at Christmas.

Something like £22 pays for three hot meals (including christmas dinner), the opportunity to have a hot shower and clean clothes, a health check, and advice on accessing resources on finding somewhere to live.

If I can't get to a shelter to help in person, this is the next best thing.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

Before now I've given to those begging on the streets but now I'm wary of this since many are actually earning a small fortune (tax free) or simply waste it on drugs.

Tomorrow i would like to take a gift to someone who really needs it. I don't tend to give to big charities since much gets swallowed up in admin.

Where or who do I go these days to give or help those who may have no Christmas?

However the Salvation Army *do* fund anti-gay treatment programmes, and that's not ok."

I didn't know that

. I'm off to do some research, that's awful.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Local Foodbank.

Crisis / Shelter

Help the Aged, money donated helps fund a 'friend phone call' to elderly people who are on their own.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Most churches take donations /clothes /food some even open for homeless people when it's cold take time and Google it all helps ... When you think how much the average family throw away over Christmas ....

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