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Scottish Charity Register No. SC043760

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Stop giving free food

May 22 2009
A reader favours shutting down all feeding of homeless people in day centres or on the streets Dear Editor, I have lived on the streets of London and made my way off of the street and into my own flat. The circumstances that landed me on the street could happen to any one; indeed, the economic climate is probably finding more people on the street then in recent times. After much thought and deliberation, I have developed stronger views on the issues surrounding the homeless and the current ways and philosophies in which society is administering help to the homeless. I am in favour of shutting down all avenues to feeding the homeless in day centres or on the streets such as soup runs and all church-run events. Even though I was, indeed, helped by these resources - I was fed and bathed, my clothes were washed and I was given shelter in the winter - and I can not express how grateful I am for these kind acts, I believe these methods should change. And this is why: it isn't helping and it isn't working. People are not leaving the street - it is becoming a lifestyle for many, one that our society, in general, does not accept. The reason they are there really doesn't matter; the fact they are there is the issue. What comes next is what needs to change in order for the reduction in homelessness to occur. Let's be honest: there will always be homeless people. Some manage to get off and move on, while more will end up there. As Maslow's law explains, individuals must obtain five levels of security before they can reach a space in which they can enjoy the full benefits of spiritual experience, growth and pleasure. In general, we accept that we must have our basic needs of food, shelter, clothing, cleanliness and social interaction before we can, as humans, focus our minds onto obtaining and engaging in higher spiritual endeavours. Isn't that what we want for everyone, no exception? The present way of doing things is hurting individuals, not helping them. The churches and charities are enabling the homeless. From my experiences of living on the street, I have learned that all beggars are not hungry - they know where to get fed and find food thrown out by businesses. They beg to get money to buy drugs or alcohol. Hostels and day centres do not care if you have an addiction, mental health issue or other, they will shelter you and feed you. The workers will listen to you and become your part-time friend, but not a real one, as you will never be allowed direct access to their life. In fact, the real reason they are there is for self-satisfaction: they enjoy helping someone less fortunate than themselves. They pity the homeless and cannot watch anyone suffer, so they give and give and give. The result is learned helplessness. The homeless then enjoy the freedom of no responsibility and enjoy a life on the streets where they know where to go to get all their needs met. A network of individuals who help each other and live amongst each other really need a lot more care and compassion then that. The taxpayer is paying for their addiction, buying their drugs, alcohol and even purchasing gambling habits, and that isn't fair or right. The homeless use the resources they get from the government to engage in these activities and then go to the day centres and churches to be fed, clothed, washed and get part-time shelter. Human behaviour must have consequences before it is motivated to change, because change is difficult. The natural consequence of misspending your benefits needs to be no food, shelter or clothing. If you do not want to take responsibility for your own welfare, you need to go without, and taking away this consequence is inhumane. In exchange for hope, a home, food, clothing, cleanliness, treatment and social interaction, the homeless individual must agree to participate in and co-operate with the appropriate extended reform service. No, no one can force anyone to do anything, not even to help themselves, if they do not want to. So if they choose not to go along with the treatment worked out for them, then the natural consequence would be, once again, homelessness. No food, clothing or shelter. Churches and charities need to get out of the way to allow this to happen, or they need to adopt a new philosophy that allows the individual to suffer the consequences of their actions. A hard line needs to be taken to not help these individuals by means of legislation. No benefits and no material means access to reform resources and education always, but no hand-outs of food, clothing or money. We must send a message to the homeless that we care enough to want more for them, that we believe they are not helpless, that they can learn to help themselves again. Do-gooders need to grow a backbone and say it isn't good enough that we feed you in the streets and offer you temporary solutions, they need to get strong enough to watch suffering happen with an eye open to better returns on their charity. By all means give to the causes, but stop all activity that lends to enabling and crippling the homeless. I will show you a home, with hope, with food, shelter and clothing where you can help yourself by partaking of what is offered, slowly growing back to learning to help yourself. I will never give you pity or accept you cannot do it or help you defeat yourself by feeding, clothing and offering you temporary shelter. The choice is yours. If you choose to leave, you are on your own, but if, in time and when your turn returns, as many others are waiting for their chance for help, you may try again. Anon, name and address supplied Dear Anon, Thank you for writing one of our longest letters (which we still edited for length), and on such a controversial topic. I hope we'll have a few letters that wish to take issue with points of your letter, so read next month's issue for any responses. Editor
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