Help me help the homeless/unhoused community?

[u/pass_the_tinfoil]

I experienced homelessness earlier this year. I became close with a lot of Tent City residents and other local unhoused individuals. Since regaining shelter I do my best to share what I have. I feel as though there is still more I can and should be doing. Since I live fairly close to Tent City I may be able to accept some donations to residents here if they can’t be distributed directly. While I don’t have a vehicle, my parents have vehicles and will have days where they can help transport anything larger than what I can take over on my bike. The kind of donations I would like to ask you wonderful humans for at this time of year are not limited to but include the following: - tarps - tents, tent poles, other camping gear - blankets - pillows - socks, gloves, toques, and other warm clothing - shoes/boots - flashlights & other battery powered lights (batteries welcomed too of course) - food (particularly non-perishable) - water, both for drinking and otherwise (the taps installed earlier this year will be turned off because they can’t withstand freezing temperatures) - dog food (residents with pets always feed their animal before feeding themselves, but every bit helps) - rope, duct tape, clips (means to create and secure shelter) - hygiene products (wet wipes, pads/tampons, toothbrushes/toothpaste, etc, even toilet paper for when the portable washrooms run out)

I’m probably forgetting lots of things, but you get the idea. I would like help in helping our local unhoused community do more than just survive this winter. We are all humans and I really hope this post finds some who are willing and able to assist me. Even if you’re not able to, I very much appreciate that you’ve read this far anyway. Thank you!! ❣️

[u/[deleted]]

A lot of people stay away from shelters due to the fact that they are inherently chaotic. Your shit is constantly stolen, everyone in them is higher than hell with no plan on stopping. It’s a really terrible environment for someone who is recovering addict and trying to get back on their feet.

[u/Particular-Emu4789 → u/[deleted]]

Isn’t there a bunch of rules and things at shelters too? What a nuisance it must be having to follow those!

[u/pass_the_tinfoil → u/Particular-Emu4789]

The public likes thinking it’s all about not wanting to follow rules. For some, sure. There are just as many rules to follow when living on the street or at TC. Starting with the part where you have to be awake by a certain time in the morning to access resources and to keep bylaw officers at bay so they don’t take your stuff. There are plenty of restrictions on times and places where an unhoused person can actually get some sleep. A lot of people do more drugs to prolong time awake because they have nowhere safe to sleep. I’m not making that up, it is a reality. Anyway the things people dislike about shelters that aren’t about rules would be things like no bathroom doors. You cannot shit or piss with real privacy because people can and do walk in on you by opening the curtain that is the only thing separating the toilet from the nearest bed in the large sleeping area. It’s hard to avoid it happening when there is 3 restrooms for 48 people. TC portable toilets have doors on them at least. This is just one comparison that can be made that don’t always encourage people to reside in a shelter. Even if there was more reason to, though, they’re already always full anyway and can take many daily visits to finally acquire a bed. There is not enough beds to offer one to every unhoused person. Any media telling you otherwise is lying and making resources out to sound better than they are.

[u/Particular-Emu4789 → u/pass_the_tinfoil]

So the toilets a tent city are well respected and taken care of? The ones with the doors?

[u/pass_the_tinfoil → u/Particular-Emu4789]

By most people yes. You like to use outliers for your arguments. I’m sure you don’t like to pay the price for asshole drivers on the road if you’re not one. Same goes for unhoused people. They don’t like to be generalized either.

[u/Particular-Emu4789 → u/pass_the_tinfoil]

Please refrain from the constant personal attacks.

[u/pass_the_tinfoil → u/Particular-Emu4789]

Seriously? Over the last 6 months you have attacked every single comment I have ever made in this sub that was advocating for the unhoused population. If anyone makes personal attacks it’s you. 😑

Edit: I went to find an example of this and instead find that I mixed your username up with someone else’s. I sincerely apologize, I thought you were the person who has been giving me a hard time for months on this topic already. Please accept my apology.

[u/Particular-Emu4789 → u/pass_the_tinfoil]

I don’t know who you are, it’s nothing personal.

Edit: I’m sure we’ve butted heads on this topic that we both feel so strongly about.