Feeding the Homeless (page 2)

SWALKER

That is so great to hear! It really sounds so much more important than handing someone a tract!!! I plan on donating to a local shelter to help feed the less fortunate this Thanksgiving...

Swalker

SusanHere

Maybe JWs feel relieved when they are told "true Christians" only need to hand out magazines to the starving, the homeless, the abused and the battered.

It's easier than actually having to do something real, yet enables them to feel superior instead of guilty.

Susan

Alpheta

Purplesofa, what a wonderful daughter you have raised!

Doing that kind of volunteer work really puts one up close and personal with "but for the grace of God...". I didn't realize it at the time, but I probably raised some eyebrows, when I was vocal about the Witnesses doing more at a local level for charitable relief work. I thought that since there were so many of in the US we could have really made a difference. I suggested many times that we get involved with teaching English as a second language and tutoring people to get their GEDs (local programs run out of a few community centers in the "bad areas" by some Roman Catholic nuns) that I'd been involved with for years, and I also suggested from time to time that we get involved with Habitat for Humanity, particularly since we had so many skilled brothers and sisters who helped on the kingdom hall builds. Of course, nothing was ever done in those directions, although I got a lot of indulgent smiles. Geez, now I see how stupid I was! At the time, though, I just shrugged off their attitude that what they were doing was the "best" for people, and I kept doing what I'd been doing before I became a Witness. I just thought they were naively insular. I didn't pay attention to the Witnesses tooting their own horns about how much good they were doing with bringing people the Word of God and their literacy programs to teach people how to read the Bible. As others here have noted, that doens't put food in one's belly or clothes on one's back. I didn't stop giving to my favorite causes once I became a Witness.

OnTheWayOut

........but the witnesses themselves would not feed this hungry person
They are taught not to.
I've been told by the elders NOT to give money for charitable reasons.
The Kingdom is the permanent solution they will say when asked why they won't feed them.

Totally on the money with this comment. WTS recognizes that divided interests among
the rank and file will not serve WTS interests. If a person is to be convinced that
the best way is the WT way, then belittle the other ways to help people.

They do say to be charitable to the brothers and sisters, though, and
ONLY GIVE CASH TO THE WORLDWIDE WORK WHENEVER A DISASTER STRIKES.

Otherwise, be cautious even when helping out a bible student, he might just be after your
help, and not truly interested (in becoming another cog in the borg), therefore you would
have been better off sending WTS the cash instead of helping him- they KNOW how to
offer better solutions. How did I fall for this crap?

fullofdoubtnow

Purps, that really is so kind of your daughter, you are rightly proud of her.

greendawn

"I've been told by the elders NOT to give money for charitable reasons." That's because they want any spare money to be given to them it's like cheating the WTS of its donations, to help charities. Purple you have a kind hearted daughter much better than the average JW.

sf

It is a great feeling to do something for someone, randomly, knowing it will help keep them alive and give them hope.

A couple of good ideas I use are cleaning out the pandry. Bag the food you know you won't eat and that is still somewhat fresh. I go to the areas where I know I'll see homeless ones walking or sitting. Many stand near food places, so I find them there and ask if they want some food. Yestersay, I had a ton of protein bars (my daughter only like tigers milk), yogurt snax, granola bars, rice cakes, juice bags and crackers, a a few bottles of apple juice. One girl was riding her bike and I could see she had a basket for her belongings. I drove up next to her and just asked if she was hungry. She said yes. I pulled over and gave her a few things.

The other thing that's easy to do and is very much in need for the homeless, is hygenical products. The 99cent store is great for this because it isn't just trial size products. They can get a full tube of toothpaste for a buck. Shampoo. Sanitary napkins. Even clothes!

I find this better than just handing them money.

sKally

purplesofa

The other thing that's easy to do and is very much in need for the homeless, is hygenical products. The 99cent store is great for this because it isn't just trial size products. They can get a full tube of toothpaste for a buck. Shampoo. Sanitary napkins. Even clothes!

had not thought of this........very good idea.

purps

RR

This reminds me of an incident with my old congregation. We all got together at the park for a BBQ. A few yards away was a homeless man, not bothering anyone, he was just sitting on a parkbench. While there were tables setup with soda, beer, chips, hotdogs, hamburgers, ribs, shrimp, you name it we had it. And one of the pioneer sisters commented, "I'd wish we could get rid of that homeless man." I told her, "he was here first."

My wife and I each made up a plate, and then we walked over to him and asked him if he wanted aomething to eat, he couldn't thank us enough, he wasn't drunk or high, just seemed like a guy who ran out on his luck. We sat with him, brought him over some drinks, he gave us a few "god bless you!" and when we waled back to the friends, many looked at us as if we has just committed the unpardonable sin. In fact I heard them talking when we were with the homeless guy, "How dare they give that bum our food!"

Sure, give em a Watchtower, that's hold him until weekend!

RR

purplesofa

just seemed like a guy who ran out on his luck

I don't know why I never wound up homeless.......when I think of some of the hard times I have had. I was almost there.

purps

Feeding the Homeless

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