My new hobby, and how to finance it

Quote: rxwine

Maybe this will sound mean, but have to ask anyway. What’s the ratio of obese people showing up at food banks to get food?

Nah, I don’t think it needs to look like the gruel line at a gulag, but I’m just curious about something relevant to the meritocracy index.
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Why not volunteer a few hours at one and get back to us with your observations.

Quote: billryan

Quote: rxwine

Maybe this will sound mean, but have to ask anyway. What’s the ratio of obese people showing up at food banks to get food?

Nah, I don’t think it needs to look like the gruel line at a gulag, but I’m just curious about something relevant to the meritocracy index.
link to original post

Why not volunteer a few hours at one and get back to us with your observations.
link to original post

I will if I get interested enough. I’m only interested enough to ask the question.

Quote: rxwine

Quote: billryan

Quote: rxwine

Maybe this will sound mean, but have to ask anyway. What’s the ratio of obese people showing up at food banks to get food?

Nah, I don’t think it needs to look like the gruel line at a gulag, but I’m just curious about something relevant to the meritocracy index.
link to original post

Why not volunteer a few hours at one and get back to us with your observations.
link to original post

I will if I get interested enough. I’m only interested enough to ask the question.
link to original post

After living in Vegas for 30 years and seeing lots of homeless people, I don't remember seeing many overweight homeless people. My assumption would be the overweight ones were newly homeless.

Quote: DRich

Quote: rxwine

Quote: billryan

Quote: rxwine

Maybe this will sound mean, but have to ask anyway. What’s the ratio of obese people showing up at food banks to get food?

Nah, I don’t think it needs to look like the gruel line at a gulag, but I’m just curious about something relevant to the meritocracy index.
link to original post

Why not volunteer a few hours at one and get back to us with your observations.
link to original post

I will if I get interested enough. I’m only interested enough to ask the question.
link to original post

After living in Vegas for 30 years and seeing lots of homeless people, I don't remember seeing many overweight homeless people. My assumption would be the overweight ones were newly homeless.
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That would be my observation after 10 years. But I don’t think street people are the only ones going to food banks.

If I continue my hobby, I'll be hitting food banks to supplement what I'm paying for out of pocket. I'm obese, and I'm sure someone driving by seeing me in my newish car will think something incorrect. I've yet to come across any obese homeless.
I have a bag with two of my old size 52 jeans and a pair of size 14 sneakers( signed by an NBA player), but I have yet to meet anyone who needs those sizes.
I've received about thirty blankets so far, but I have not given any of them out yet.
The city shut down the large homeless camp in town, scattering groups in all directions. The last time they did it, the police arrived in the middle of the night and gave them twenty minutes to pack and leave. They bulldozed all the tents and shelters. They gave a week's notice this time, and only a few were left at the deadline.
Around dusk, I was behind a mostly shuttered strip mall, looking for some people who live in the wooded lot next to it. I drove around a corner and found four Tuscon cops questioning two men. As I drove by, one of them stopped me, but he waved me on when I told him what I was doing and showed him the duffle bag of food.

Amazon is an incredible resource. Usually, you have to buy in bulk to get any discounts, but if you subscribe to an item, you get 15% off.
Setting up deliveries every two weeks reduces the space needed. I also get 6% credit by using their card and doing once-a-week deliveries.

Quote: rxwine

Maybe this will sound mean, but have to ask anyway. What’s the ratio of obese people showing up at food banks to get food?

Nah, I don’t think it needs to look like the gruel line at a gulag, but I’m just curious about something relevant to the meritocracy index.
link to original post

Persnal experience at UK provincial foodbank.... I've served maybe 100 or so 'clients' personally and not one was anything like obese. I'm 175lb and most looked to be similar or less.

About 50% arrived on foot and were overwhelmed by the multiple carrier bags of food, which they needed to somehow carry home. Some had to make multiple trips or come back with something like a pushchair. Occasionally, we'd deliver to them, and I'd get to see their living conditions. The other 50% were being assisted by someone in social work in their car.

All our clients need to have a referral from one of multiple sources. Social Services, Police, Probation department, Citizens advice Bureau, Samaritans, etc.

The only times I feel we are being duped is when the odd one calls a taxi on their late model iPhone, but they are few. Most are clearly in real need.

I try not to judge.

Quote: billryan

If I continue my hobby, I'll be hitting food banks to supplement what I'm paying for out of pocket. I'm obese, and I'm sure someone driving by seeing me in my newish car will think something incorrect. I've yet to come across any obese homeless.
I have a bag with two of my old size 52 jeans and a pair of size 14 sneakers( signed by an NBA player), but I have yet to meet anyone who needs those sizes.
I've received about thirty blankets so far, but I have not given any of them out yet.
The city shut down the large homeless camp in town, scattering groups in all directions. The last time they did it, the police arrived in the middle of the night and gave them twenty minutes to pack and leave. They bulldozed all the tents and shelters. They gave a week's notice this time, and only a few were left at the deadline.
Around dusk, I was behind a mostly shuttered strip mall, looking for some people who live in the wooded lot next to it. I drove around a corner and found four Tuscon cops questioning two men. As I drove by, one of them stopped me, but he waved me on when I told him what I was doing and showed him the duffle bag of food.

Amazon is an incredible resource. Usually, you have to buy in bulk to get any discounts, but if you subscribe to an item, you get 15% off.
Setting up deliveries every two weeks reduces the space needed. I also get 6% credit by using their card and doing once-a-week deliveries.
link to original post

We've had UK news reports of homeless peoples tents and possessions being chucked into garbage trucks.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67392992
I've also witnessed police really hassling some homeless in town, whose only offense seemed to be that they 'made the place look untidy' Made me ashamed.

I’m not complaining about obese people, just trying to find some metrics for need. Maybe I’ve met too many scammers, and it’s made me wary.

I mean, there’s people who will drain old people’s life savings having them withdraw from the bank. There are people who will collect donations of people who think they are sick, or dying of cancer when they are not. People who steal from the charity that they run, or skim from donations.

Quote: rxwine

I mean, there’s people who will drain old people’s life savings having them withdraw from the bank. There are people who will collect donations of people who think they are sick, or dying of cancer when they are not. People who steal from the charity that they run, or skim from donations.
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understood and acknowledged. Yes. There are parasites. But I resist the urge to let a few parasites detract from the good that can be done.

Quote: rxwine

I mean, there’s people who will drain old people’s life savings having them withdraw from the bank. There are people who will collect donations of people who think they are sick, or dying of cancer when they are not. People who steal from the charity that they run, or skim from donations.
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That is precisely the reason we need more good people to get involved. Be the person who gives others reason to believe, not to doubt.

20+ years of doing this, my food bank avocation, I have seen a lot. What disturbs me the most is the number of recipients who smoke and those who somehow believe they are entitled and are rude. However, the vast majority are needy and do display some gratitude.

tuttigym

Quote: OnceDear

Quote: billryan

If I continue my hobby, I'll be hitting food banks to supplement what I'm paying for out of pocket. I'm obese, and I'm sure someone driving by seeing me in my newish car will think something incorrect. I've yet to come across any obese homeless.
I have a bag with two of my old size 52 jeans and a pair of size 14 sneakers( signed by an NBA player), but I have yet to meet anyone who needs those sizes.
I've received about thirty blankets so far, but I have not given any of them out yet.
The city shut down the large homeless camp in town, scattering groups in all directions. The last time they did it, the police arrived in the middle of the night and gave them twenty minutes to pack and leave. They bulldozed all the tents and shelters. They gave a week's notice this time, and only a few were left at the deadline.
Around dusk, I was behind a mostly shuttered strip mall, looking for some people who live in the wooded lot next to it. I drove around a corner and found four Tuscon cops questioning two men. As I drove by, one of them stopped me, but he waved me on when I told him what I was doing and showed him the duffle bag of food.

Amazon is an incredible resource. Usually, you have to buy in bulk to get any discounts, but if you subscribe to an item, you get 15% off.
Setting up deliveries every two weeks reduces the space needed. I also get 6% credit by using their card and doing once-a-week deliveries.
link to original post

We've had UK news reports of homeless peoples tents and possessions being chucked into garbage trucks.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67392992
I've also witnessed police really hassling some homeless in town, whose only offense seemed to be that they 'made the place look untidy' Made me ashamed.
link to original post

So should we allow homeless people to camp out on public streets in front of peoples business and homes? Thats total BS.


I'm all for allowing designated areas for homeless people to set up camps etc. I oppose them camping out on public streets in the middle of towns.

Places like Slab City, I 100% support.

Quote: OnceDear

All our clients need to have a referral from one of multiple sources. Social Services, Police, Probation department, Citizens advice Bureau, Samaritans, etc.

The only times I feel we are being duped is when the odd one calls a taxi on their late model iPhone, but they are few. Most are clearly in real need.

I try not to judge.
link to original post

Unfortunately, if a majority of food banks in America needed a referral then i can see people trying to game the system.
In fact, i bet more people will try because it'll be shorter lines than the current 1hr waits

Quote: AxelWolf

Quote: OnceDear

Quote: billryan

If I continue my hobby, I'll be hitting food banks to supplement what I'm paying for out of pocket. I'm obese, and I'm sure someone driving by seeing me in my newish car will think something incorrect. I've yet to come across any obese homeless.
I have a bag with two of my old size 52 jeans and a pair of size 14 sneakers( signed by an NBA player), but I have yet to meet anyone who needs those sizes.
I've received about thirty blankets so far, but I have not given any of them out yet.
The city shut down the large homeless camp in town, scattering groups in all directions. The last time they did it, the police arrived in the middle of the night and gave them twenty minutes to pack and leave. They bulldozed all the tents and shelters. They gave a week's notice this time, and only a few were left at the deadline.
Around dusk, I was behind a mostly shuttered strip mall, looking for some people who live in the wooded lot next to it. I drove around a corner and found four Tuscon cops questioning two men. As I drove by, one of them stopped me, but he waved me on when I told him what I was doing and showed him the duffle bag of food.

Amazon is an incredible resource. Usually, you have to buy in bulk to get any discounts, but if you subscribe to an item, you get 15% off.
Setting up deliveries every two weeks reduces the space needed. I also get 6% credit by using their card and doing once-a-week deliveries.
link to original post

We've had UK news reports of homeless peoples tents and possessions being chucked into garbage trucks.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67392992
I've also witnessed police really hassling some homeless in town, whose only offense seemed to be that they 'made the place look untidy' Made me ashamed.
link to original post

So should we allow homeless people to camp out on public streets in front of peoples business and homes? Thats total BS.


I'm all for allowing designated areas for homeless people to set up camps etc. I oppose them camping out on public streets in the middle of towns.

Places like Slab City, I 100% support.
link to original post

We agree. I have no objection to the police keeping the homeless from setting up camp in public parks or on public sidewalks.
I support how the police removed the camp in the park, warning the people and letting them move their possessions. I object to police raiding a place in the middle of the night and giving people minutes to pack-- after allowing them to be there for months.
Tucson, in particular has large tracts of dry river beds that are not used by the public.

A minimum requirement of living in a public area is the keeping the place clean. Picking up after themselves. It doesn’t have to look like a military camp, but it should have.some semblance of people taking care of the place where they’re staying.

Btw, that reminds me of the one time I had pulled off the road on i-95 going back to Vegas from California. You can’t really see how much liter there is on roadside until you get out. There was a lot. (No homeless people though, just all regular folks throwing crap out their windows I’m sure)

Quote: lilredrooster

you must love chess and I'd be willing to bet you're very, very good at it
it's a nasty drive from Baltimore to downtown DC and then back
I remember the chess games at Dupont Circle - I'm from DC - the games there are legendary - and I think there were many very, very good players there
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At the time I was more into chess than I am now. I don't claim to be an outstanding player. Good at the recreational level.

One thing I liked about Dupont is it wasn't expected to play for money. People played for the love of the game.

As to the drive, I lived near Catonsville and would park at the New Carroltown station, if I remember correctly. I'd switch from the yellow to the red line and get off at the Dupont Circle station. Sometimes I would hit a museum of something while I was down there, until I saw all of them. Yes, it took a while to get there, but I rather like trains, including subways. Plus I was single at the time and had nothing better to do. Women didn't start speaking to me until I was about 30 and this would have been before then.

I volunteered at a Church food bank over the course of a year. We’d show up early Saturday mornings and sort everything then hand it out. We’d assemble packages with each bag containing a cross section of the foodstuffs received.

Besides the main cross section bag we’d also hand out certain items by themselves on demand.

It was canned goods, dry foods like rice beans etc. also dried fruit cereals there was really no telling what might show up. Could be pancake mix one week syrup the next.

It was not a diet for anyone trying to eat organic or gourmet although sometimes there were some near gourmet items in the mix. Mostly it was solid food basic staples. Lot of bulk large size packages.

Few things I noticed. Some of the food was near expiration dates or at least closer to expiration than would be expected at the supermarket. And most of the volunteers set aside and took the “best” food home with them.

I also occasionally noticed someone coming through the line more than once although I never said anything. Other volunteers would point out certain participants in the line who supposedly sold their bags down the street right after pick up.

I didn’t do it every Saturday but I’d show up maybe a couple times a month. Eventually I just got too busy to do it and feel like I put in pro bono for the community in other ways.

Quote: tuttigym

Well SHAZAMM. Several months ago, I posted that I volunteer at a local food bank. I have worked there as a volunteer for over 20 yrs. The bank has grown from a small one truck operation to the largest in the region. We now have 2 refrigerated trucks, a box truck, and a van plus my own E350 van. I personally have provided over $100K of value to their operation including time, gas, insurance, expansion of giving from Pepsi, Target, WM, etc.

It has been a personal joy and quite fulfilling to be able to help and give.

Pre-emptive Word to the mods: EB will surely produce a vitriolic, negative, insulting post as he has many times in the past. DO NOT TURN A BLIND EYE.

tuttigym
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So active for somebody in their '80s. Remember when I said I used a cane when I walk outdoors and you replied that you're in your '80s and don't require any kind of help like using a cane. Amazing that somebody in their 80s can do all this stuff that you're claiming to do. They must do local newspaper articles about you.