Current Events > so how exactly do soup kitchens work?

(+) Yeah! (+)

what's to stop me from pretending to be homeless and getting a free meal tomorrow?
---

16-BITTER posted...

Your conscience, if applicable

Nice.

Though you could also see how the other half lives and learn something about that.
---

You could also volunteer at one, theyll most likely give you a meal at the end of your shift.

---

A bunch of old homeless dudes had an orgy in the car. It's pretty rough stuff.

In many places it's an honor code system. If you feel the need to go get free food, then it's not their job to tell you that you don't need it. I have worked in different soup kitchens and you would be surprised how many middle class Americans in dockers and button ups are eating there with their kids. They have a nice house, but it is undervalued so they are drowning in mortgage payments and don't have enough for food. They have to choose between food or shelter for their kids. They would rather be foodless than homeless, so they come to the soup kitchen.

Though I have seen some soup kitchens that require proof of need, like a layoff notice or even a tax return showing low income.

---

I'd imagine the food isn't particularly good enough to waste your time waiting.

---

MC_BatCommander posted...

I'd imagine the food isn't particularly good enough to waste your time waiting.

It really depends where the food comes from on a given day. Sometimes they'll get a donation of steaks past the sell-by date at a supermarket (but not the actual expiration date), so patrons can get a steak dinner. More often, though, it is the basics. Rice and beans, or some type of soup/stew, and maybe a fruit cup or pudding. There is almost always a protein, ranging from beef and chicken, to spam and vienna sausages.

---