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Bussed out: How America moves its homeless
- NoZebra120vClip 3y agoI volunteered for one of the largest charities in the world. I was tasked with doling out basic necessities to people on the streets: socks, clothes, showers, toiletries. Transit passes could be had for bona fide job interviews or medical appointments. An occasional bicycle could be provided for people with employment and a significant commute. Transit passes are a huge issue of contention and one of the most valuable items on the street. People will do anything to get from one place to another, and they become angry when this basic service is denied or unavailable. Believe me, I have been on both sides of this argument. Other sections worked with utilities to give assistance on bills, and workers also fielded requests for long-distance bus tickets. Their stated purpose was to assist stranded travelers. They always made efforts to confirm that this was indeed a case of stranded travelers, and that family or housing would be available on the receiving end. I don't know how effective those confirmations were, but I am sure that many people were thankful to be reunited, even with runaways.