So sad.. To those who have lost their way and still live on the streets, God Bless them..And to those who have died on the steets, In peace...



Sue

@Sue C. - Amen!!!

bunch of donky dung @Sue C. - I offered a lady earlier this year a sandwich from Arby's and she said she wanted money instead. As if I don't know she's just going to go buy some more booze. God has no sympathy for those who are idle and who CHOOSE not to be productive and fruitfull and neigher do I. Read the scriptures it's all over in it. Instead, help the family who's father and mother both work two jobs and they still cant afford to pay the gas bill or repair their roof. Unbelievable! These people are on the street because they have failed at EVERYTHING. They most likely have drug addictions and are incapable of being helped. Personally, I'm tired of seeing their lazy nasty stinky good for nothing trash on the streets. We should rejoice this time of year for god's will being done and ridding the earth of people who have CHOSEN to waste their lives away in the gutters with their hands out for charity.

It's spelled "donkey" @Bobfromutah - Bobfromutah,
Your ignorance is sickening.

God Bless... This brings tears to my eyes. It is so sad to me that so many people are living in excess, and there are others who do not even have shelter! Why do we justify spending millions and millions of dollars sending our troops off to kill innocent people and turn our heads to the people who are dying right in front of us? I only wish that I could do more to help those in need. God Bless

@Just my opinion - good point. you can start by making a donation of $10-20-30 dollars to X-96. Kennecott Copper will match donation up to $250k. It's a good way to start.

Funny we have so much suffering here locally and yet we spend millions in another country for a cause I believe most Americans including our government have lost sight of.

I say we also for a candle light vigil for those hard working people who have lost a lot falling victim to robbery, murder, assault, or experienced identity theft. And also for children who are victimized, abused, beaten, raped, by sexual predetors. If we are to remember the homeless this time of year with candlelight vigils, then we should also hold ceremonies for other victims of injustice.

Long live the homeless, because without their existence we would not have...........?

@Smm - Thank you so much!!! I had no idea that Kennecott Copper was matching donations. That is so awesome! I will defenitly spread the word and do all that I can to help.
Where is the candle light vigil located at? I would love to attend!

Help Why doesn't the church(LDS)hold off on building a new Temple and help those people living on the streets. They have the resources and I believe that's what Jesus would do.

They do, @The austrailian - All they have to do is ask. But that is not the real problem. It isn't that these people aren't helpless, they can live in shelters and are fed by the government. The issue is that most of these people have some sort of mental disorder, and don't completely understand the reality of their situation.

The church is always building new temples and still are able to donate millions each year to help in disasters. So don't be so coldhearted against the church in this regard.

Australilan... @Bobert - Bobert is exactly right. I work with this population and the LDS church actually has TONS of programs and ways they help this population. In fact, it's been a real focus of the LDS church's Humanitarian projects to make a real effort to help this population. Your question is a good one, since a lot of people don't know the extent of what the LDS church does by way of this population. But, since I work with this population, I felt like I had some knowledge so as to answer your question. Happy holidays!

I understand @Butterfli - Thanks Butterfli for your civil response. I was just framing a question. Robert thinks I was making a coldhearted statement towards the LDS church, I was not!! I simply wanted to know with all these very expensive temples being built and I have a new one out here in daybreak going up now. Just wondering if the church was helping those in need and it appears they are very much helping others, so god bless!! Thanks for your kind response...:)

Well Said Robert @Bobert - There are so Few people on these blogs (incluidng me) that put their ideas into such a simple and clear statement. Most are out to make an arrogant statement.

The LDS Church does wonderful things to help everyone in need who asks.

PS. The wording on this story was soooo incorrect. We do not HONOR those homeless Persons. We RECOGNIZE them.
There is a Huge Difference. We place HONOR on those that have done wonderful things for others, and not selfish acts for themselfs.

Thanks BV

B.v. Here is a simple idea you may want to keep in mind... @B V. - Matthew 6: 1-5
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in Heaven. “Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites so in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, “that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Not so well said, B V. @B V. - Wow, B V.,
Looks like you made it into the very special category with those that are out to make an aroogant statement.
So, they were holding a candle light vigil for selfish people?

Don't worry @The austrailian - The LDS church does a lot for the homless including charitable contributions. They can do that, and build temples too. Why would people think the two are exclusive?

I agree.. @The austrailian - I do agree with the austraillian... to all defenders of the LDS lay down your pitchforks! neither myself of the austraillian are saying that they do not help those in need. We are only seeing a possible solution to act as Jesus would. This is what he had to say about this topic...
WORLDLY TREASURES
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not lay up yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break and steal; “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break and steal. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 16:26
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and looses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 19:23-24
“Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven. “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

LDS help I believe that the LDS church has MANY different programs to help the unfortunate, and they do a very good job. The church does not have the capabilities to save everyone.

I have to say.. I am impressed with the responses people are writing so far on this blog. I cringed when I saw this story as I was afraid to read the heartless posts expressing disgust for the homeless. They are such a unique population, so misunderstood. For the most part, they aren't well emtionally, physically or mentally.

(P.S. I'm not talking about the pan handlers hanging outside every store...I work with the homeless, and I've never any of them. I don't think they are really homeless. It's best not to give money to them. I tell them to go to the shelter at 210 So. Rio Grande by the Gateway or to find a phone and call 211. This is a number which provides lists of community resources).

correction... @Butterfli - I've never MET any of them. It doesn't make sense without that word!

@Butterfli - I don't get it. You WORK with the homeless, but you never MET any of them? What do you mean by this?

So, are most PAN-HANDLERS not homeless? IF so, how would you know this if you have never met anyone of them?

Sorry, Smm @Smm - What I meant is that I work with the homeless, but I haven't met any the panhandlers (outside stores and on corners) getting help from any of the legitimate organizations intended to help this population. Also, there has been some research done which shows that lots of panhandlers are not actually homeless. It's a way to make money. My comment was not intended to incite you or anyone else. Perhaps I wasn't very clear, but I'm not going to get defensive and let my anger ruin my day. I hope you can do the same.

What about the rest of the year!!!! We all tend to have more compassion during the holiday season. I know it's because we are reminded of others, and I think it shows a more true side to people. I believe people are more good than they are bad. These people will be long forgotten once the New Year hits.
I'm not pointing fnger because I do the exact same thing.
Since I work for the police department, and spend a big portion of my time in the shelter area I can tell you that during Christmas there are a ton of people helping out and dropping of donations. After and before Chrsitmas, almst none. The same people are alwasy helping year round, but the influx of new faces helping disappears.
There are a lot of homeless people in Salt Lake City. Most are good people, a small group are not. There are a lot that are mentally ill, some with drug or alcohol issues. But they to can be good people. The problem is people who don't work with the homeless regulary don't know if they ar edealing with the majority of them which are good, or the small group that are bad.
Sometimes I can't tell at first eiher. I guess I am just saying this because while you're in the area donating and I am down there dealing with the select few that are victimizing the good homeless people, don't yell at the police to quite bothering the homeless. You don't know if I am dealing with the good homeless people or the bad ones.
This has happened to me a few times recently. People will set up their food to give out. I show up on a call and deal with one person who is a problem and people donating food or clothes walk by and make coments about how the cops shouldn't bother these people or they tell us to leave them alone.
We leave the good ones alone and try to protect them from the bad ones. Not everyone walking around down by the shelter are just down on theie luck, some are drug dealers and criminals. This is a much smaller group, but that is who the police are dealing with, not the good ones. We care about the good ones and try to make their life easier by removing the ones selling drugs, fighting etc.
I think we all can work on being more giving to the good homeless people all year. It's something I need to work on as well.
On a side note, the people pan handling are more than likely homeless. The only difference is they show up in the morining at the shelter, eat food. then walk to a corner collect change. walk back to the shelter area at lunch, eat. Walk back to a corner then collect more change. At about four or five in the afternoon they walk to a liquor store and buy a bottle of Roth Child alcohol. Gice your dollar to Places like the Road Home. Your money will be spent wisely and for what you intend there. Pan handlers are just plain moochers. Again, it's the seperation of good honest people living on the streets and bad people living on the streets.

Jawsh @Jawsh - You make so many good points. We really should be charitable all year. Regarding your side note, you are right that a lot of people panhandling around the shelter area are homeless. In my above posts I did not make that clear. There are, though, a lot of panhandlers who aren't actually homeless. But, regardless, your point is such a good one that there are better ways to contribute, like to The Road Home. Keep up the good work!

Thanks, Jawsh @Jawsh - I work in homeless healthcare and make many trips to the Road Home. I appreciate the police in the area. I feel safe walking on Rio Grande and in Pioneer Park because there is a substantial police presence. As you say, there are only a few bad apples - the majority of the folks I work with are terrific people.
May you be safe in your work and thanks for making me safe in mine.