Quote:
Originally Posted by JET
I'm usually the pinko/Lefty on here; however, most social services agencies advocate against giving money to panhandlers, and instead suggest giving directly to charities that provide direct services. There are young people who drive into the city, pay to park their cars, and then 'beg' for money. I refuse to contribute to panhandling, but i give to the United Way, Phoenix shelter, Bryony house, Turning Point, Feed NS and Hope Cottage. Send your money their way, help clear the sidewalks.
|
I'm going to put my 2 cents in, as I'm multiply disabled, & live in my own apartment, I've been on the streets before, both in Hamilton (7 years) & Toronto (22 months) I have NEVER resorted to 'panning' or 'begging'..
heres a statistic for you..
in Ontario (southeren ont, like Hamilton & Toronto) a disabled person on ODSP, living in a RGI apartment, 1bdrm, paying $139 (usually includes heat/hydro) gets a monthly cheque of $717, + add to that any special diet or guide dog or accessible equipment costs, if covered.
i could get on white cane per year covered (CNIB charge $47)
once ever 5 yrs I could get a computer/reading aid, (MAX $1875 + screenreader $900)
(( if your NOT in RGI Housing, your MAX Rent ODSP wil cover is $625 for a 1bdrm, +max Hydro assistance is $75 a month) ((personal allowance was $580 ))
Here in HRM, I'm paying $575 + Hydro ($50), my MSI cheque is $773 The MAX that MSI will help you with for rent is $535 your personal allowance is $238
MSI does NOT cover white canes, nor computer every 5 yrs, nor are most of my medications that I was on in Ontario covered..
Now, you TRY living on THAT! Espicially with Food alone being 40-50% MORE Expensive...
yeah, NOT fun, but I will NEVER 'beg"
I eat at the amazing soup kitchens, Here's the ones I go to normally:
Margruarts - OPEN 7 days a week - 12-12:30pm, in Dartmouth on Octaloungie near the big white church (3 blocks up the hill from Portland), (little brown house on corner, with wheelchair ramp) they are AMAZING!! very homey, very caring people, they take whatever churches donate & also supplement it with help from FEED NOVA SCOTIA..
The HOPE COTTEGE - M-F 10-11am & 4:45-6pm Yeah, just AMAZING PLACE, mmmm great food, out of the way, but near a very caring libruary, (Halifax north memorial) really special place.. Very open & caring, one big family runs it.. fully accessible, including washrooms..
St Mary's Basilica - wkdays (except holidays & High Holy days, 1:30-3:30pm, sandwiches, drinks, clothing room, haircuts, bathroom, sometimes books & magazines, sometimes has Veggie buffet... Warm place to go, decent people, strict. (washrooms are NOT W/C accessible)
the only food bank I know of, is:
PARKER STREET FOOD & FURNITURE BANK ( on maynard near Buddy Daye (2 blocks up the hill from Gottingon, 3 blocks along maynard from North street)
they have great staff, good food, & furniture, they also can deliver if your physically disabled/senior or cant afford bus fare.. they also are connected with a couple of really nice thrift stores, called "Good Things In Store"
there are other soup kitchens I think, but I've not found them yet, as there is NO CENTRAL LISTING...
(toronto & Hamilton both have ""help Lines"" or a centralized 211 listing service)
(( Btw, I miss Sally Ann in Hamilton open to both men & woman for meals, also had a shelter for men, (& a new one just opened for woman), had a great meal program, $10 a month got you 1 MEAL EVERY DAY OF THE MONTH (usually really big & they also had diabetic & veggie options sometimes))
Here in HRM Sally Ann dont do squat for Woman who need to eat. ( at least the centre on Gottingon, tried asking them for help when I first got here & was homeless..)
I miss the street life in T.O a bit, there were some amazing places to eat & get help...
The Law Society of upper canada put on stellar meals 4 days a week, just the best meals in Toronto, completely free, but very safe & strict rules, FULLY ACCESSIBLE..
SANCTUARY! - Very special little place based on a small church, but never bible thumpy, accepted anyone, very special to me, were the main reason I survived in Toronto as long as I did (5 1/2 years)
They also were Fully Accessible, even had a Elevator!
Good Shepard - daily meals, lots of food, lots of caring people, mainly for men, except for meal times, which were open to anyone, except if you were high or drunk, they were also great with disabled people..
Scott Mission - men only, except food bank & evening snack.
So, no matter what your circumstance, there is NO NEED TO GO BEGGING ON THE STREETS!!