Yeah, but they may not have usage of a microwave. I would say an insulated blanket would be helpful, if you could find one for cheap.
I think they have them where you don't need to microwave them, you just break something inside and it starts a reaction that heats them up... I'm not to sure though...
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_748665_-1__?N=401310246&affcode=42&kwid=ps_cse&cid=PLA_0024113490&gclid=COLh_Zej57sCFTJp7Aod5TsAZw
Meals Ready to Eat. Self heating meals designed for the military http://beprepared.com/food-storage/mres.html?sc=GOOGLE&oc=GOOG070039&gclid=COb-6J6o57sCFWJo7AodtxgAgg
Would including pamphlets or printouts to nearby homeless shelters and/or programs be beneficial? Also, I'd keep canned dog and/or cat food around would be a good idea too. A lot of homeless people (at least in San Francisco) have animals.
I suppose so, every homeless demographic is different from area to area. You don't want an incident like in The Walking Dead... poor doggy. I wouldn't add the religious aspect to it personally either, because I see them EVERYWHERE. Even a few times at bus shelters they have pamphlets or tiny booklets of religious texts. Also, pretty sure the homeless are allowed to attend religious sermons in church if they want to and they probably have easy access to bibles from MANY local organizations. So, personally, giving them one would be just adding to the pile they already have (ironically they're rich in that...) so I'd switch it out for something practical.
That would be nice, a backpack full of useful stuff! I'm not sure about the usefulness of the Bible or NT,but suppose it won't hurt? They can always give it away or use the papers for, I don't know, insulation purposes? Might be nice to get some food and something warm in addition too. I'd also donate money to parties that treat the root causes of poverty even if that doesn't feel quite as concrete as giving a homeless person a pair of mittens.
If the homeless person doesn't want the NT, they can throw it out. It's not like all the food and personal items are locked up and can only be accessed if they read it and accept Jesus. I think this whole idea is wonderful and definitely something I'd like to do. Where I live I only see 1 homeless person regularly and he seems too deranged to approach safely, unfortunately. I'd have to travel to hand them out.
Throwing it out would be wasteful. They could use it for TP, or to light a fire for warmth. If that offends anyone, keep in mind that serving handouts bundled with an agenda is a bit shabby and/or arrogant to begin with,
So the 'agenda' is that I am following the example of Christ by helping others and sharing a life-changing message I have discovered? Only if you view the Gospel of Jesus as negative do you cast this action in a bad light. If you were lying in bed, and all of a sudden you discovered the secret to immortality, would it be wrong to enthusiastically share it with everyone you came across?
I also remember that when I was little and got my hands on a copy of our Bible, which is a softcover from the 80's, it had my mom's name written in it. She said I could write my name in it too, so I put "Allisons and also God and Jesus".
The agenda is to push your beliefs down other people's throats. Whether or not you accept it, there are other, equally valid, beliefs out there. That's what I mean by arrogance, thinking that only your beliefs matter, and that you are doing others a great service by enlightening them.
I think a simple note that says, "God Loves You," would be enough. No need to spend the money on a Bible when it could be spent on something else they really need to survive. Imagine how many packs of those peanut butter and crackers you could buy, or something similar that they could eat.
The existence of multiple beliefs has no bearing on the validity of any of them and I reject this type of pluralism. I am doing them the only great service by sharing with them the good news of Christ. Also, as others have pointed out, they have a choice to accept it or not, making your argument of 'pushing it down their throats' a false one. This would be perfectly logical if physical needs held more value than spiritual ones, which I believe isn't true.
You speak like you are sharing something the majority of folks aren't already aware of. Your 'good news' only means something to those that already have an inherent belief or curiosity. What I have a problem with, is taking advantage of those in a weakened state of mind and body. You might well argue that it is at times like these that comfort is most needed. I would argue that it is specifically at times like this when all else is missing from their lives, that their own beliefs should be upheld, or at least supported, not questioned. As far as I'm concerned, it shouldn't be about what you feel. It should be about what the beneficiary feels. I guess you could always ask after giving over the pack, rather than stowing away the copy of the NT. That way, it would feel more upfront and less underhanded, and it would also open a line of communication between yourself and the homeless person, rather than just handing over the backpack and moving on.
Underhanded? This conversation has honestly become ridiculous to the point of lunacy. Even if you completely disregard whether you believe in religion or not, it is scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety. You say they need comfort? I offer them the greatest comfort there is... Matthew 6:25-33 "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." - Romans 1:16
@JJ_Maxx J.J. I understand where you are coming from. I do. I am echoing @Cogito's sentiments. If I were the homeless person, for example, I would find no comfort in the text. From my perspective, the guilt laden Christian message would only serve to upset me further. No matter how you see the message you are trying to convey, others may have their own deeply held beliefs, and I think it only common courtesy that these are taken into consideration. The use of the term 'underhand' was a bit much... sorry 'bout that. I didn't mean that the way it came out. Better to say that I think it more fitting to offer the text rather than planting it... at least then you are giving them the right of refusal. I know there's is nothing compelling them to read the text but you can't be sure what feelings it might bring up in a person already teetering on the brink. Many homeless people have problems far beyond not having a home—dependency problems, mental health issues and the like. They and their beliefs need treated with respect. To you, perhaps. I find no comfort in it, any more than I enjoy watching a piece of torture porn. I don't mean to come off as insulting. I'm just trying to illustrate that what might provoke a reaction in one person, might very well provoke the very opposite in another. You feel one way, I feel another. I think it does to be mindful that we all have our own beliefs, and even those in disadvantaged circumstances might feel as strongly about theirs as you do about yours. I am not setting out with the intention of rubbishing your beliefs, or denying that someone might find exactly what they are looking for in the NT. I also realise that it is your Christian duty to pass on the message. All I'm saying is to treat the homeless person with respect and don't try to second guess whether the text will bring comfort to them. If there's a shadow of doubt, (and I feel there should be) why not simply ask?
