[Engaged] Hunger: Resources at the Ready

[Jakuden]

I am of the same mind as Sekishi, I currently live in a rural area so rarely have occasion to come across someone asking for money. When I do, I give them a few dollars, knowing I have no control over how they use it... but at least using the situation to give them a warm smile, respect, and eye contact, and maybe a little faith in humanity for a moment. If I have had 100 of those encounters in my lifetime, at least a few folks were not substance abusers, statistically.

I wanted to contribute to the school backpack program, and that’s how I found the food bank. Around here, the most effective way to help with hunger would be through one of those programs, even though it does place the burden of finding access to them on the people in need. The food bank supports most of them.

Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH


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[Eishuu]

I often tried to give information to people on the street in London about charities and organisations that would help but they didn't want it. Often they had adjusted to their life and didn't want to change it, they just wanted to survive. Also there were issues with interacting with people perceived as authority figures, and even when they had stuff set up to help them they would miss appointments and sabotage the process. Often there was trauma, alcoholism, a history of abuse...if anything it seemed that the mental health issues needed to be addressed first. I did try and get a placement with an organisation in London that worked with homeless people, but understandably they didn't offer places to trainees. I used to sit and chat to people a lot if they seemed to want to chat. Everyone had a story...I think some interaction and being treated as a human being go a long way. Most people walk past as though they are invisible and that must be hard. And I did give people some money.

I think the idea of giving information on drug and alcohol addiction centres is good. Obviously many people using drugs and alcohol are self-medicating against immense psychological pain and trauma, so hopefully any help with addiction will go hand in hand with some kind of mental help support.

Also, personally I'm really not keen on the term 'pan-handler' - there's something about it that sounds like we are defining a person by their begging pot. Maybe it's because we don't really use it in the UK and it sounds unfamiliar, I don't know.

I think the issue of 'helping' people is interesting. Do we approach them with what we think they need and then judge them when they don't take it? How do we assess what they need? I think it's often complex with homeless people as there are many issues going on.

Gassho
Eishuu
ST/LAH

[Hoseki]

Hi folks,

So I've given this some thought and I've come to the tentative conclusion that there isn't necessarily a single way to give. I think giving freely as Jishin describes it has two benefits. It allows the receiver to do with it what they wish. They are respected as agents in their own life and will make of the gift what they will. I think this is often overlooked when people discuss approaches to government assistance like food stamps. If we really want people to be able to have a sense of control over their lives they need to be allowed space to explore their agency. Maybe its something like "people need the ability to fail before they can truly succeed." This of course means they could do something harmful with the gift but this is something we have to figure out on a case by case basis.

As the giver its an exercise in letting go. A gift to oneself. When we hold on too tightly on outcomes and plans we create our own suffering.

But we also have the other part of the Bodhisattva path which is trying to reduce suffering (I think a harm reduction approach is useful here) so we do not want to inadvertently make matters worse. Would you freely give a loaded gun to a suicidal person? I don't think many would. So giving food to someone who appears poorly nourished does help them. I assume if one is living on the street quality food would be hard to come by. Even if they are suffering from withdrawal I don't think feeding them is a bad option and may be more beneficial in the long term. That said, from what I can see withdrawal is fucking terrible. And if they are suffering terribly maybe I would give them heroin (or what have you) myself. I'm not really sure what I would do.

A few years ago I filmed a presentation by a physician who worked at a local clinic at an impoverished part of town. She mentioned that she recently had to assist a patient in finding a new drug dealer. While this might seem crazy she mentioned that the patient's current dealer was abusive and she was trying to get the patient away from this person. At the time the best outcome was reducing the harm the patient was receiving rather then helping cope with her addiction.

Anywho, just some thoughts on the matter.

Gassho
Hoseki
Sattoday

[Shoka]

So for me personally, if someone asks for money, I give what I can at the time. I always ask their name, shake their hand, and introduce myself. I ask if I can sit and chat for a little while (if not, thats fine too, I move on). I try to offer a few minutes of human kindness.

I am of the same mind as Sekishi, I currently live in a rural area so rarely have occasion to come across someone asking for money. When I do, I give them a few dollars, knowing I have no control over how they use it... but at least using the situation to give them a warm smile, respect, and eye contact, and maybe a little faith in humanity for a moment. If I have had 100 of those encounters in my lifetime, at least a few folks were not substance abusers, statistically.

Sekishi and Jakuden,

Thank you for your perspective. I have lived in a metropolitan area for so long that I hadn't even considered how drastically different this problem looks in rural areas.

I would also guess that there are not as many resources within reach of people who need them. Or require them to travel much further to get access.


Gassho,

Shoka
sattoday

[Shoka]

Also, personally I'm really not keen on the term 'pan-handler' - there's something about it that sounds like we are defining a person by their begging pot. Maybe it's because we don't really use it in the UK and it sounds unfamiliar, I don't know.

I think the issue of 'helping' people is interesting. Do we approach them with what we think they need and then judge them when they don't take it? How do we assess what they need? I think it's often complex with homeless people as there are many issues going on.

Gassho
Eishuu
ST/LAH

Eishuu,

I'm personally not a fan of the term "pan-handler" either, but I don't know that there is a better inclusive term. We could say homeless, but we are then assuming they are homeless, we could say needy or beggers but I really don't like how that sounds. I actually searched for synonyms but it went downhill from there. The other terms are in my opinion far worse and more judgement.

Does any have a suggest on a better term that could be employed?

As to the questions about helping. I think one of the important things I have learned in life is how much I don't know, so I really try not to give people "what I think they need." I'm more open to asking people what they need. If someone is sitting out a grocery store I'll ask, "can I get you something from inside?" That way they can tell me what is useful for them and I can make a decision from there.

Just yesterday I saw a guy standing with a sign asking for bottles. I'm guessing he is doing one of two things with them. Either using them to collect and have a supply of fresh water since we are heading for summer that will start to become a problem for homeless. Or he is gathering them to recycle. I'm guessing that if it is the later, it is easier for him to ask for bottle (which lots of us have empty in our cars since we are a commuter city) than to ask for change.

But seeing that yesterday was a good reminder that I don't know what people need.

Gassho,

Shoka
sattoday

[Shoka]

As the giver its an exercise in letting go. A gift to oneself. When we hold on too tightly on outcomes and plans we create our own suffering.

Hoseki,

This is lovely.

Gassho,

Shoka
sattoday

[Hoseki]

Hoseki,

This is lovely.

Gassho,

Shoka
sattoday

Gassho
Hoseki
Sat today



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[Eishuu]

Eishuu,

I'm personally not a fan of the term "pan-handler" either, but I don't know that there is a better inclusive term. We could say homeless, but we are then assuming they are homeless, we could say needy or beggers but I really don't like how that sounds. I actually searched for synonyms but it went downhill from there. The other terms are in my opinion far worse and more judgement.

Does any have a suggest on a better term that could be employed?

As to the questions about helping. I think one of the important things I have learned in life is how much I don't know, so I really try not to give people "what I think they need." I'm more open to asking people what they need. If someone is sitting out a grocery store I'll ask, "can I get you something from inside?" That way they can tell me what is useful for them and I can make a decision from there.

Just yesterday I saw a guy standing with a sign asking for bottles. I'm guessing he is doing one of two things with them. Either using them to collect and have a supply of fresh water since we are heading for summer that will start to become a problem for homeless. Or he is gathering them to recycle. I'm guessing that if it is the later, it is easier for him to ask for bottle (which lots of us have empty in our cars since we are a commuter city) than to ask for change.

But seeing that yesterday was a good reminder that I don't know what people need.

Gassho,

Shoka
sattoday

I think you are right - it's better to ask what people need. 'Helping' is very context-dependent and should come out of our encounter with people and an understanding of their situation with the relevant amount of sensitivity. I think it's interesting that there are no words that sound particularly respectful to describe people who are begging, and that's probably symptomatic of society's attitude towards them. Would it work to say 'people who are homeless and/or begging for money'?

Gassho
Eishuu
ST/LAH

[Jishin]

Eishuu,

I'm personally not a fan of the term "pan-handler" either, but I don't know that there is a better inclusive term. We could say homeless, but we are then assuming they are homeless, we could say needy or beggers but I really don't like how that sounds. I actually searched for synonyms but it went downhill from there. The other terms are in my opinion far worse and more judgement.

Does any have a suggest on a better term that could be employed?

Street person.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Eishuu]

Street person.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

That's better.

Gassho
Eishuu
ST/LAH

[Shoka]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to come back to this to see if anyone has any additional thoughts, or if you have found interesting resources that you might like to share?


For my part, it has been an interesting experience over the past few weeks to actively look and read the signs of street people and to see what they are asking for. Many people I notice are just asking for help in general, nothing specific is listed. But it has been interesting to see what else the signs say, one this morning said "Lost Anything Helps". I found that very interesting, or course it was at a freeway exit and I was in the far lane so I didn't have the chance to see how they were lost.

Gassho,

Shoka
sattoday