"I'm sorry, I don't carry cash!"
January 23, 2019 10:28 AM Subscribe
There is a very real homelessness problem in my city, and it is something I am extra aware of because I work in the downtown core. When I have cash on me I try to give it, but I never have cash on me. (If I have it, I spend it, so I never have it.) I'd like to keep a little stash of things in my bag that I could offer someone homeless that isn't cash. Suggestions? Is there anything I should pointedly avoid giving?
Things I have come up with so far:
- prepaid visas
- giftcards for the grocery store/drug store/Tim Hortons
- meal replacement bars
Things I have come up with so far:
- prepaid visas
- giftcards for the grocery store/drug store/Tim Hortons
- meal replacement bars
Kind of heavy to lug around on purpose, but bottled water or some other kind of drink usually goes over pretty well, at least the couple of times I've had one on hand.
posted by helloimjennsco at 10:39 AM on January 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by helloimjennsco at 10:39 AM on January 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
Socks
posted by Automocar at 10:50 AM on January 23, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by Automocar at 10:50 AM on January 23, 2019 [6 favorites]
Many areas now have service cards which detail where and when folks can find free meals, showers, beds, etc. I would check a local homelessness assistance group's website to find one you can print out. It's great to keep a few laminated ones on hand to give away.
posted by matrixclown at 10:54 AM on January 23, 2019
posted by matrixclown at 10:54 AM on January 23, 2019
I think that if cash is not an option, the Visa cards you mentioned are the most helpful. While it's not unhelpful to give someone material goods, the reason someone is asking for cash is because then they can make the decision to buy food, or handwarmers, or a toy for their kid, or drugs, or pay their phone bill, or rent a storage unit, or whatever their own needs are. Consider that many community groups provide people in need with various material goods, but almost none will provide anyone with even a small amount of fungible money. So the closest you can get to that, the most likely your help is going to be to serve an non-duplicative need.
posted by dusty potato at 10:56 AM on January 23, 2019 [34 favorites]
posted by dusty potato at 10:56 AM on January 23, 2019 [34 favorites]
Visa Gift cards may have a minimum amount of about $25. McDonalds and Starbucks cards have a $5 minimum. Gift cards for any coffee shop or fast food joints, grocery if it's in walking distance. Granola bars, plain flavors.
Talk to your locally owned cafes, maybe they'd do up 1 dollar coupons for a coffee, or a coffee & sandwich deal at a good price. They might sell a lot of them, and while I understand that cash is preferred, 25 is out of my range, and even a $5 card is one I could hand out only sporadically.
It's cold where I live, and I have brought home sleeping bags from the Goodwill outlet to wash and give to the homeless center, where they will always be in need.
posted by theora55 at 11:09 AM on January 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
Talk to your locally owned cafes, maybe they'd do up 1 dollar coupons for a coffee, or a coffee & sandwich deal at a good price. They might sell a lot of them, and while I understand that cash is preferred, 25 is out of my range, and even a $5 card is one I could hand out only sporadically.
It's cold where I live, and I have brought home sleeping bags from the Goodwill outlet to wash and give to the homeless center, where they will always be in need.
posted by theora55 at 11:09 AM on January 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
Before you buy gift cards, check to make sure that people can easily use them. I tried to give some coupons for free McDonalds sandwiches to some homeless people in my neighborhood and they told me that the local McDonalds had banned homeless people from entering the building.
posted by mcduff at 11:14 AM on January 23, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by mcduff at 11:14 AM on January 23, 2019 [18 favorites]
Re: meal replacement bars - my understanding is that granola bars and similar aren't very helpful to give, because a lot of homeless people are not able to get regular dental care so a crunchy or hard food item isn't always easy to eat. If your bag is big enough, you might consider carrying some pairs of fresh socks; I think those are appreciated. I think prepaid cards or gift cards in whatever denomination you would usually give as cash, are pretty useful. I don't have any direct experience with this but I used to volunteer in a sort of homeless-adjacent service so this is just what I picked up there.
posted by cpatterson at 11:34 AM on January 23, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by cpatterson at 11:34 AM on January 23, 2019 [4 favorites]
Coffee giftcards for your local, ubiquitous chain.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:37 AM on January 23, 2019
posted by bluedaisy at 11:37 AM on January 23, 2019
I keep a stash of one dollar bills in a separate part of my purse from my money. They are pre-folded individually into quarters so I can easily pull one out and hand it to people. Useful for tipping and for giving to panhandlers, and it's hard to spend them, since you have to unfold them one by one to give them to a clerk.
posted by gideonfrog at 11:40 AM on January 23, 2019 [38 favorites]
posted by gideonfrog at 11:40 AM on January 23, 2019 [38 favorites]
Echoing that a dedicated stash of $1 bills on a billfold is the best answer here. It's the lightest thing for you to carry and the most valuable for them. Gift cards are somewhat useful, but also a PITA to use in practice, since it can be hard to track how much is on the card and use it in full, and they may not be allowed entry to the store anyway.
I try to save dollars for this purpose, and also fill up my coat pockets with quarters when I think of it. If you really don't use cash much, could you stop by a bank with a few twenties for them to change?
posted by veery at 11:55 AM on January 23, 2019 [6 favorites]
I try to save dollars for this purpose, and also fill up my coat pockets with quarters when I think of it. If you really don't use cash much, could you stop by a bank with a few twenties for them to change?
posted by veery at 11:55 AM on January 23, 2019 [6 favorites]
I too carry some dedicated cash - I sequester any quarters I get, for example, so that I can give people a dollar or so in coins if I have no bills.
I do this because I find it paternalistic to assume that homeless people are lying scammers or people who cannot be trusted to make small purchases for themselves. If I were in need, I would not want to be deluged with food I might not be able to eat or that was just carbs and sugar, or with soap and other small items that would be a burden to store and carry; I would want cash.
Bear in mind that it is easy to dumpster carbs and sugar - I could get a week's worth tonight and I don't even dumpster. The kinds of food that get handed out to homeless people are often the kinds that people can readily acquire for themselves.
posted by Frowner at 12:02 PM on January 23, 2019 [17 favorites]
I do this because I find it paternalistic to assume that homeless people are lying scammers or people who cannot be trusted to make small purchases for themselves. If I were in need, I would not want to be deluged with food I might not be able to eat or that was just carbs and sugar, or with soap and other small items that would be a burden to store and carry; I would want cash.
Bear in mind that it is easy to dumpster carbs and sugar - I could get a week's worth tonight and I don't even dumpster. The kinds of food that get handed out to homeless people are often the kinds that people can readily acquire for themselves.
posted by Frowner at 12:02 PM on January 23, 2019 [17 favorites]
Seconding hand warmers. I get them by the case and carry them around at night and they're always well appreciated. I tried one out a couple weeks ago and they last for a really long time! With four, a person can put them in their shoes and in their hands. A homeless man named Brian told me the other night that he gives extras away to other people who need them.
If I'm on my way to a corner store especially at night (late trips for a beer or munchies) I'll ask people outside if they need anything - I get them coffee, soda, hot pockets, fritters, jerky, occasionally smokes...
Homeless women rarely have the budget for pads or tampons so I buy packages by the dozen from Amazon and keep them to hand out.
I try to keep a few singles in my front pocket - that's my usual donation when someone asks for cash - it's also the cost of the Street Roots paper. It's no harder to remember than asking for a roll of quarters in your change at the grocery store.
After eating at a restaurant, if I have leftovers I'll find someone outside to give them to.
I have some knowledge of services that are available in my city, mostly from hearing homeless folks talk about them and my own research. I know about a permanent homeless camp and where it is because I had a conversation with its mayor. I also keep up with local news about homelessness and generally keep my ear to the ground by talking to people sleeping rough. I can make some suggestions about available services and resources.
When I have time I just talk to people, introduce myself, ask them their name, their story, shake their hand, sit down with them for a while, hug them if they need a hug... I tend to see the same people sleeping in my neighborhood for a few days or a few weeks at a time and make an effort to remember their names and what they like in their coffee. To me, it's mainly important to treat them like I would anyone else - with respect and nonjudgmentally.
A friend of mine was getting rid of some extra camping gear and knows that I do this and was kind enough to donate it to me to give to people - I've already given away three sleeping bags, a warm winter coat, and a cozy hat and still have a couple warm jackets and a Thermarest.
(This is kind of my pet cause. Seeing homeless people in one of the wealthiest countries in the world makes me angry and ashamed to be an American. All I can do is pick up a tiny bit of the slack that those with the money and the power refuse to. Plus I'm a lonely night owl who likes to talk to people.)
posted by bendy at 12:10 PM on January 23, 2019 [26 favorites]
If I'm on my way to a corner store especially at night (late trips for a beer or munchies) I'll ask people outside if they need anything - I get them coffee, soda, hot pockets, fritters, jerky, occasionally smokes...
Homeless women rarely have the budget for pads or tampons so I buy packages by the dozen from Amazon and keep them to hand out.
I try to keep a few singles in my front pocket - that's my usual donation when someone asks for cash - it's also the cost of the Street Roots paper. It's no harder to remember than asking for a roll of quarters in your change at the grocery store.
After eating at a restaurant, if I have leftovers I'll find someone outside to give them to.
I have some knowledge of services that are available in my city, mostly from hearing homeless folks talk about them and my own research. I know about a permanent homeless camp and where it is because I had a conversation with its mayor. I also keep up with local news about homelessness and generally keep my ear to the ground by talking to people sleeping rough. I can make some suggestions about available services and resources.
When I have time I just talk to people, introduce myself, ask them their name, their story, shake their hand, sit down with them for a while, hug them if they need a hug... I tend to see the same people sleeping in my neighborhood for a few days or a few weeks at a time and make an effort to remember their names and what they like in their coffee. To me, it's mainly important to treat them like I would anyone else - with respect and nonjudgmentally.
A friend of mine was getting rid of some extra camping gear and knows that I do this and was kind enough to donate it to me to give to people - I've already given away three sleeping bags, a warm winter coat, and a cozy hat and still have a couple warm jackets and a Thermarest.
(This is kind of my pet cause. Seeing homeless people in one of the wealthiest countries in the world makes me angry and ashamed to be an American. All I can do is pick up a tiny bit of the slack that those with the money and the power refuse to. Plus I'm a lonely night owl who likes to talk to people.)
posted by bendy at 12:10 PM on January 23, 2019 [26 favorites]
> I keep a stash of one dollar bills in a separate part of my purse from my money. They are pre-folded individually into quarters so I can easily pull one out and hand it to people. Useful for tipping and for giving to panhandlers, and it's hard to spend them, since you have to unfold them one by one to give them to a clerk.
I do this exact thing. I keep the singles folded into the little minimalist wallet-thingy that I use for my transit pass, it lives in the front pocket of my bag, so I don't even have to root around.
Back when we still had transit tokens, I ALWAYS kept a fairly decent stash on me to hand out. I'm sad and frustrated that there is no way to do this now that Philly has finally switched to a ticket/card system.
Nthing that Visa cards and gift cards for local coffee/fast food places are often difficult for folks to use successfully. If you ask the establishment, they're going to say that money's money and of course they'll honor them, but in practice many such places are extremely inhospitable to homeless people.
posted by desuetude at 12:33 PM on January 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
I do this exact thing. I keep the singles folded into the little minimalist wallet-thingy that I use for my transit pass, it lives in the front pocket of my bag, so I don't even have to root around.
Back when we still had transit tokens, I ALWAYS kept a fairly decent stash on me to hand out. I'm sad and frustrated that there is no way to do this now that Philly has finally switched to a ticket/card system.
Nthing that Visa cards and gift cards for local coffee/fast food places are often difficult for folks to use successfully. If you ask the establishment, they're going to say that money's money and of course they'll honor them, but in practice many such places are extremely inhospitable to homeless people.
posted by desuetude at 12:33 PM on January 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
Cigarettes. It sure as shit ain't healthy, but when you're down and out, a smoke can go a long way to keeping you sane.
posted by dudemanlives at 12:47 PM on January 23, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by dudemanlives at 12:47 PM on January 23, 2019 [10 favorites]
My daughter and I rode the RTA bus in Cleveland a few years ago, and she bought me a day pass. When we were leaving the bus, she had me leave it on the bus seat, said someone would be able to use it. Maybe purchase some day ride passes?
posted by LaBellaStella at 1:08 PM on January 23, 2019
posted by LaBellaStella at 1:08 PM on January 23, 2019
Don't offer: isopropanol, hand sanitizer, mouthwash, or anything else alcohol-esque. It can be triggering and/or poisonous.
posted by teremala at 1:26 PM on January 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by teremala at 1:26 PM on January 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
It's really cold out currently so I got a hot drink for a guy out on London Bridge this morning as I passed. Previously I've asked others if I can buy some food or something from a shop (chicken burger and bottle of water were chosen). Otherwise I try to always acknowledge them if asked and apologise for not having cash instead of just walking by ignoring, I figure recognition is at least something.
posted by JonB at 1:38 PM on January 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by JonB at 1:38 PM on January 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
I would say dollars but also those deep dish Reeses. EVERYONE likes them and they can be traded. I find the deep ones have more protein than the thinner ones. You don't need teeth to eat a Reeses. I would also suggest cans of chili with meat - but they need to have the pop off lid in case they don't have a can opener. This suggestion comes from my many years volunteering at a food bank. A can of chili with meat in it was the hottest item. I know that's kind of bulky but...
If someone gave me a Visa card - that doesn't show how much is in it - and I walked a long way in the cold to a place where I thought I could use it and turns out there was some kind of mistake and it had no cash loaded on it I would be so hurt and angry!
posted by cda at 2:21 PM on January 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
If someone gave me a Visa card - that doesn't show how much is in it - and I walked a long way in the cold to a place where I thought I could use it and turns out there was some kind of mistake and it had no cash loaded on it I would be so hurt and angry!
posted by cda at 2:21 PM on January 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
I keep a stash of fives in my van for when I'm going to Lowell to run permits. There's a panhandler working the left-turn lane that leads onto I-495 about 2/3 of the time when I pass by, even now in January when it's bitterly cold. There's another similar spot near the Home Depot that's close to my house.
I keep this money specifically so that I have something to give them, because damn that's a rough situation and it breaks my heart to just drive by and pretend I didn't see. When the stack is running low, I get cash back at the grocery store and ask for fives.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 3:23 PM on January 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
I keep this money specifically so that I have something to give them, because damn that's a rough situation and it breaks my heart to just drive by and pretend I didn't see. When the stack is running low, I get cash back at the grocery store and ask for fives.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 3:23 PM on January 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
Yeah, I always keep a stash of ones in my car to give to the panhandlers on the corner. Once you have a dedicated place to keep this cash, you don't really think of it as yours to spend on other stuff -- I have a similar stash of ones in a tiny front pocket of my bag. (Honestly, in the long run it is easier for you to go to the bank and get some cash than it is to like run all over town getting VISA cards or whatever that might not even work.)
posted by Countess Sandwich at 3:59 PM on January 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Countess Sandwich at 3:59 PM on January 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
Decent gloves, hats, and scarves if you live in a cold climate.
When I was homeless and hanging out in front of a grocery store, a guy gave me two pounds of sliced ham from the deli. It was really nice to not have to worry about meals for a day.
I've also purchased McDonalds and Starbucks for people I see panhandling.
posted by easy, lucky, free at 4:44 PM on January 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
When I was homeless and hanging out in front of a grocery store, a guy gave me two pounds of sliced ham from the deli. It was really nice to not have to worry about meals for a day.
I've also purchased McDonalds and Starbucks for people I see panhandling.
posted by easy, lucky, free at 4:44 PM on January 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
This question has stuck with me, and I was wondering if you see the same homeless people regularly. You could tell them you aren't able to carry cash, but ask what they like that's portable and not too spendy. Homeless people are often not seen, and asking is a way of seeing them.
posted by theora55 at 4:46 PM on January 23, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 4:46 PM on January 23, 2019 [4 favorites]
If I were homeless, I am pretty sure I would want cash and as a close second an airline bottle of vodka. Not joking. I can't imagine living on the street without medication of some kind.
posted by janey47 at 8:03 PM on January 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by janey47 at 8:03 PM on January 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
Not everyone would want cigarettes, but the people who do want cigarettes would really appreciate the offer.
posted by Juliet Banana at 8:44 PM on January 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Juliet Banana at 8:44 PM on January 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
Visa cards (as opposed to regular gift cards) can be used anywhere that accepts Visa. Doesn't solve the "being banned from" problem, but that would affect cash, too.
This is logical but humans are not. For whatever reason, any kind of plastic is often treated more suspiciously and/or less tolerantly.
Maybe it's because clerks assume that the card was scavenged from the trash and will probably be empty, or at least not good for as much as the person wants to buy, thus increasing the risk of an argument? I dunno, but I have personally seen people get handwaved away.
posted by desuetude at 9:27 PM on January 23, 2019
This is logical but humans are not. For whatever reason, any kind of plastic is often treated more suspiciously and/or less tolerantly.
Maybe it's because clerks assume that the card was scavenged from the trash and will probably be empty, or at least not good for as much as the person wants to buy, thus increasing the risk of an argument? I dunno, but I have personally seen people get handwaved away.
posted by desuetude at 9:27 PM on January 23, 2019
I also think that even if you give a person on the streets something they don't want or need that they'll pass it on to someone else or use it to barter for something they need.
And, very few of the people I talk to ask for alcohol. I get the occasional request for a tallboy but it's rare.
There is a lot of pot out there, which I've been kindly offered many times.
I recently met a couple who are heroin addicts - but seeing her inject him in the butt is one of the very few times I've witnessed drug use. I'm sure it happens a lot, but in general, people are discreet about it.
posted by bendy at 10:01 PM on January 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
And, very few of the people I talk to ask for alcohol. I get the occasional request for a tallboy but it's rare.
There is a lot of pot out there, which I've been kindly offered many times.
I recently met a couple who are heroin addicts - but seeing her inject him in the butt is one of the very few times I've witnessed drug use. I'm sure it happens a lot, but in general, people are discreet about it.
posted by bendy at 10:01 PM on January 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
bendy for the win. It seems few understand the homeless barter economy. Cash is probably the easiest thing for you to carry but $1 isn't that much. I'm still trying to figure out what you could carry around every day other than something that you could spend yourself and not have it.
posted by zengargoyle at 12:56 AM on January 24, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by zengargoyle at 12:56 AM on January 24, 2019 [1 favorite]
Maybe it's because clerks assume that the card was scavenged from the trash and will probably be empty, or at least not good for as much as the person wants to buy, thus increasing the risk of an argument?
Bodega/corner stores are the shops most homeless people I've met go to. They only start finding a place to sleep near midnight and just before they settle in they head to late-night places for food.
Small businesses are not forgiving of homeless folk ever. I've seen homeless people insulted and kicked out by the shop owners of a bodega and by restaurant workers. The woman who usually works the night shift at the Chevron near my house has to keep a suspicious eye on everyone.
I recently brought Tim into the Chevron because he had kind of a picky coffee order and another middle-aged guy came in with us and wanted to use the toilet. Sonya was worried but I told her that I'd vouch for them both.
Homeless people aren't generally shopping at Freddy's for produce and milk and the stores they tend to shop at will kick them out for any reason whatsoever. I'd avoid any hassle at all like Visas, gift cards, anything like that.
The stigma on homeless people is always there and reminds them that they'll be watched with an eagle-eye while they're in any store, suspected of shoplifting or shooting up in the toilet or "counting their money too slowly"* This fear/anxiety about going into "normal" stores can make gift cards/Visas less desirable - likely unusable.
Again I'd recommend whatever increment of cash you're comfortable with, stuff {sleeping bags, hand warmers, hats, gloves}, and take requests for coffee, etc. when you can.
*After a bodega owner insulted a homeless guy in front of me in line and kicked him out of the store I ran after him and he told me that he'd been kicked out because he'd been "counting his money too slowly".
posted by bendy at 2:24 AM on January 24, 2019 [5 favorites]
Bodega/corner stores are the shops most homeless people I've met go to. They only start finding a place to sleep near midnight and just before they settle in they head to late-night places for food.
Small businesses are not forgiving of homeless folk ever. I've seen homeless people insulted and kicked out by the shop owners of a bodega and by restaurant workers. The woman who usually works the night shift at the Chevron near my house has to keep a suspicious eye on everyone.
I recently brought Tim into the Chevron because he had kind of a picky coffee order and another middle-aged guy came in with us and wanted to use the toilet. Sonya was worried but I told her that I'd vouch for them both.
Homeless people aren't generally shopping at Freddy's for produce and milk and the stores they tend to shop at will kick them out for any reason whatsoever. I'd avoid any hassle at all like Visas, gift cards, anything like that.
The stigma on homeless people is always there and reminds them that they'll be watched with an eagle-eye while they're in any store, suspected of shoplifting or shooting up in the toilet or "counting their money too slowly"* This fear/anxiety about going into "normal" stores can make gift cards/Visas less desirable - likely unusable.
Again I'd recommend whatever increment of cash you're comfortable with, stuff {sleeping bags, hand warmers, hats, gloves}, and take requests for coffee, etc. when you can.
*After a bodega owner insulted a homeless guy in front of me in line and kicked him out of the store I ran after him and he told me that he'd been kicked out because he'd been "counting his money too slowly".
posted by bendy at 2:24 AM on January 24, 2019 [5 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by clavicle at 10:31 AM on January 23, 2019 [3 favorites]