Tags
Good Morning W.S.A
I have a beautiful coat I would like to donate to the homeless. I’ve only worn it a couple of times and it cost me a couple of hundred pounds.
Ok…?
It needs cleaning, but I can’t afford it. It’s going to cost me £60.
Why does it need cleaning?
It’s mouldy.
Mouldy…?
Yes mouldy, only a little bit, but it would be lovely for someone on the street.
I’m sorry we really couldn’t accept it if it’s mouldy.
Can’t you clean it?
No, I’m afraid we don’t have the facilities to clean it before we gave it to someone.
But they would love it. It’s a lovely coat and only a little bit mouldy.
I’m sorry we really couldn’t accept a mouldy coat for our friends on the street. Many have breathing problems associated with being homeless and we really couldn’t give them a mouldy coat and make it worse.
Oh, ok, so you’re telling me you don’t want a lovely coat?
How ungrateful.
Charities don’t have an excess of money to spend on cleaning clothes before giving them to the homeless. We rely on you to donate good quality and clean clothing to help us keep our overheads down and focus our money on where the help is really needed. You would be the first to complain if we were routinely spending money out on specialist cleaning and not meeting the needs of those in our community who need support.
Good afternoon W.S.A
Oh hello, I have a couple of sleeping bags I would like to donate to the homeless.
Oh that would be lovely thank you.
They’re in good condition but the zip is broken so they don’t do up.
I’m afraid they wouldn’t really be suitable for us to give out as sleeping bags then.
But I’ve used them like this for years, there’s nothing wrong with them. A scrounger could just wrap it round themselves or cover themselves over. They’re lovely and warm.
I really am sorry, but we believe that our homeless friends should be given things in working condition.
So you’re telling me that a homeless person wouldn’t want to have a sleeping bag? There’s nothing wrong with them, I’ve used them like this for years!
I’m sure they are lovely and someone would find them useful but we believe in giving sleeping bags that are new, or as new and in working order.
I can’t believe you can afford to be so picky – those scroungers don’t have the right to be fussy.
I really am sorry you feel like that. But we believe…
I’ve had enough of your beliefs, they should be grateful for anything they can get.
Goodbye.
Does someone who lives in a flat deserve a lower quality item than someone who lives in a house? Just because their ‘home’ is a shop doorway, under a bridge or under a bush does not mean that they should have to accept anything that they are given. They are human, just like you and me. Embarrassed and depressed about their situations they deserve to be treated with love and kindness, not spoken about like they are scroungers. These people have lost everything, and we have the power to kick them whilst they are down, or give them a little token of our thoughts for them. We can share some kindness and give them some hope that someone does care enough to bother with them. What message does it give them if we let them have second rate items? Are they second rate too? An easy thought to have when you feel rock bottom.
Don’t get me wrong it’s lovely that people want to think about those who are less fortunate and in need of help, but, and it’s a big but, please think about what you are donating, and please remember
There but for the grace of God, go I.