Letter from
12 July 2015
It is about this time of year I always write a Pew Sheet about begging and not giving
people money. There is a lot of Homelessness in Canberra at the moment, and
because of the weather they are finding it very difficult. Being homeless is very hard
on the body. I can remember one of the rough sleepers telling me that his body was
always so tired in winter, because at night you actually hold your body so tight
trying to keep the warmth in that in the morning you wake up stiff and very tired.
Each morning this week we have seen a fellow at SJC. He is rough sleeping on the
other side of the lake near one of our national attractions. He has a heavily loaded
shopping trolley that he pushes around and comes each morning for a cup of coffee
and something to eat and then disappears for the day.
Then I go to my local Shopping Centre and there are two young men sitting on the
pavement outside the Supermarket with their cap in front of them begging. I do not
believe that either of these young men are homeless; it is just an easy way to make
a bit of extra money.
There also seems to be a lot of begging going on in the city and the Bus
Interchanges at the moment –
“I just need enough money for a bus ticket, or money for a sandwich or a cup of
coffee. I have just had my wallet stolen and I can’t get home ”.
My advice for what it is worth – please don’t give money or take your wallet out of
your handbag or pocket.
If they want food – offer to take them to a coffee shop and buy them a sandwich
and coffee – if they are genuine, they will accept your kind offer and you can
then pay for it in the company of others, if not they will just drift off into the
crowd.
If they want a bus ticket – offer to take them to the Bus Interchange and pay for
their bus fare.
Tell them where St John’s Care is (open Mon to Fri 9:30am- 2:00pm) or free lunch
on the First Friday of the Month and we
will help them.
Unfortunately, handing out money is
not always the solution; sometimes it
just feeds a nasty habit.
My wish list for this week: Shampoo
and Conditioner, little tubs of fruit for
school lunches.
Many Thanks
Sue
St Margaret’s News
6
July 2015