Buying someones lunch - Not the done thing....

jumpedtheshark

I live in Oxford. Whilst there appear to be some genuine homeless, there are a few scammers. Please give money only to homeless charities in Oxford.

This year the City Council and our local homeless charities have started advertising to the public not to give money to homeless in Oxford because they have new grant funding available to help the genuinely homeless: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/9624380.New_pledge_to_homeless/
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/yourtown/oxford/9821805.Drive_to_crack_down_on_begging_in_street/

Taadaa

This incident is so shocking. I would sodding well complain as others have suggested.

I was offered The Big Issue once on my way into a Tesco store, I told the vendor I didn't want the magazine but I would happily buy him a sandwich and drink. He told me they are not allowed to accept such things. How ridiculous - another scheme intended to help people in need that is now bogged down in bureaucracy

System

Taadaa wrote: »

This incident is so shocking. I would sodding well complain as others have suggested.

I was offered The Big Issue once on my way into a Tesco store, I told the vendor I didn't want the magazine but I would happily buy him a sandwich and drink. He told me they are not allowed to accept such things. How ridiculous - another scheme intended to help people in need that is now bogged down in bureaucracy

I have doubts about this. Why would a homeless man not be allowed to receive a sandwich and drink from a member of the public? I can see no reason at all for that to be true.

I suspect he said that in the hope you would give him the money instead.

Tina20

I'm guessing whoever gives them the big issue to sell doesn't want them taking excessive time off for food etc, when they could be getting money for the magazines.

Also, isn't it supposed to be working, not begging? Giving food would look like they are begging instead of working. Plus I would be quite offended if someone thought I was so lowly to them they needed to bestow their wealth and give me a sandwich.

People selling the big issue aren't necessarily rough sleepers. I know a family (hubby, wife, daughter) who sell in my town and have a car!

System

I've probably got this wrong but I thought Big Issue Sellers just paid a certain amount of money to get the magazines and they then sell them on keeping all money they earn? I thought they were self employed which means they can accept what they like?

Not sure the family you know are in the spirt of the Big Issue!