You are very nice to be helping this man. But I would never let him in the house either.
I would suspect if he is honestly in this situation,(which it sounds like he is) that he is happy with anything you can give him.

Jammer and I were just discussing your post CR, and we decided that maybe you could pick up some vienna sausage, beans & weiners, potted meat, sardines and crackers. Those are items that you could keep a few of in your cupboard and they would give the man some protein.

I agree with Mary Ann and Jammer. Also small cans of deviled spam are easy to eat with crackers. Keep some plastic utensils handy too.
Linda

We worked with a homeless shelter in college and a huge percentage of homeless people in that community were schizophrenic. Even when they are helped and given opportunities to be taken off the street, they will usually just end up back on the street because of their mental condition. Not really their (or anyone's) fault... just how it is.

It is nice what you are doing. I wouldn't let him in, but if he comes often enough, just try to have some stuff or a bag of food items ready for him. Don't forget some fresh fruit. And, you could even make him up a plate of whatever it is your having that he could eat right then too. I'm sure he appreciates anything you offer to him.

I will go get some of the stuff you suggested...canned meat and things.I don't want to get to much because he doesn't come often.I didn't have any food left that I cooked yesterday because,I didn't cook! LOL! We brought hotdogs and things from the neighbors picnic and heated that up.But we had already eaten it all before he got here.I only brought home 2 of each thing....
I do always have hotdogs here...frozen,(Dog treats. But like I said I don't want him staying long...and I never have buns unless we're planning on having hot dogs or hamburgers that day.He seemed real happy with the crackers and applesauce...Larry told him he was sorry but that's all we had right now and he said...that's GOOD,food for me! Last time we gave him money to go to Micky D's...right around the corner.

If you read the book, Same Kind of Different As Me, you will look at the homeless in a different light. I feel like I should be doing more, but living in a small town, we don't have any homeless here.

I'm glad you are helping provide this homeless man with much needed food CR.

I was also thinking of canned type snacks like you guys were. I once gave a homeless man in NYC a sandwich and a carton of milk. He had tears in his eyes and so did I.

I'd think something like tuna, pbj, pb and honey,soup, or even beef jerky. I don't keep a lot of ready prepared foods around the house either.

We had a noticeable homeless/con-man population in a previous place where I used to live. These people had vehicles, cell phones, etc. I saw a mom/son a couple of times in the grocery store and so out of curiosity I peeked in the cart. There was deli chicken, bagged greens and a few other things I don't remember. It was all food that you would eat in a short period of time if you didn't have refrigeration. Every thing I saw was pretty healthy.

I bought a homeless man a to go meal at Luby's. I got fried chicken, mashed potatoes, black eyed peas and cherry pie for him.

We don'thave any homeless people around here, but one time before we moved here, was coming down to the bayou and having friends over. On my way I passed a homeless man by the railroad tracks. He looked to be about 70 years old. I drove by but then I went back and gave him some of the food that I was taking to the bayou....shrimp gumbo, shrimp slaw and a 7 up. Fortunatly, I had brought disposable bowls and plates, so I was able to fix him up. Stuff like that always makes me cry.

Granola bars are good to have on hand,,and you can keep them frozen,,,peanut butter, string cheese,,,,this breaks my heart,,as we dont have homless people near us. I dont know what I would do,,,it would just eat away at me if I saw it every day.My prayers go out to this nation. Things like this shouldnt even be.

What about offering him a few bottles of water or soda to go with the food?
Reminded me of a guy that I save and put out cans for him to pick up...He walks everywhere...and picks up cans to resell, no car, but he isn't homeless...I'll call him Jim...

When I worked at the soup kitchen, Jim would always come to eat with his brother...who didn't act as "strange" as Jim did...Jim only mumbled his words if you spoke to him...grin, and would hide behind his brother's back...not kidding..ha...He dressed poorly (so did I?)...The manager of the kitchen told us volunteers not to get too friendly with them because they were mentally retarded...That just made me feel more...what's the right word?...sorry for them?...
Then, Jim started walking up and down our road, with his large black bags...I was sort of surprised when he shyly asked if I had any cans for him...I told him when I got enough collected, I would leave them near the road for him to get, and we started saving them for him...(A neighbor across the road ran Jim out of his yard)...This went on for a few years...then one day, last summer, I was working in the front yard when Jim stopped and asked how we were doing...then, he walked up the drive...and was I surprised when he actually made conversation...there was no mumbling of words...He talked as "normal" as anybody and was nice...Later, I told DH that Jim either had taken medication, or he was just trying to fool some people...
DH said that he'd heard that Jim saves his monthly check, lives with his brother, and makes good money selling cans...
Maybe some people... like me? are just eccentric.

Bless you, CR.

I usually have a few hard boiled eggs on hand, which would make a good snack. Also canned tuna and some pb and crackers. Cheese too. Fruit and veggies would also be good, and I usually have carrots in the fridge.

I agree with all the suggestions above, and would add the bottled water mentioned, plus a jar of multi-vitamins or possibly cans of Ensure or other similar drink that provides the needed nutrition.

My heart does goes out the homeless, but caution is needed in today's society. Among the homeless are mental cases, the lazy, charlatans, crooks, hobos, and some who are truly down on their luck.

Locate the addresses of places nearest to your lcoation that aid the homeless and keep in a handy place. The next time one arrives, direct them to these aid shelters.

In my youth (a long time ago - sigh), Hobos were a feature of society near railroads. It was said that there were secret codes and markings within the Hobo society by which thay could pass information to each other. If one found a benevolent home that gave food, that address would be marked and soon other Hobos would come calling.

They also have tuna and crackers,already to eat and i think i saw them with chicken as well.Then there's that old stand by,PB&J.There's lots out there these days that you can buy a few of to keep on hand if he comes back.Another idea is to keep a shoe box with toiletries from the dollar store,maybe a pad and pencil,since some of them are very creative,and may like to write poetry or something.

We had one that hung around outside the store i worked at.He seemed harmless,just down on his luck and may have had some mental problems.He was around there for years,and we used to give him coffee when we made a fresh pot,and some of us gals gave him sandwiches and stuff.We even gave him a shower curtain to lay down on the sidewalk before he laid his sleeping bag down,so it wouldn't get wet.

He didn't come around during the day as he knew it botherd the customers,but came after closing or after dark.He always had a bible with him and read til it got too dark for him to see.

We used to call him our security guard as he would watch out for us when we'd go out at night to dump the days trash.He never had a cross word for anyone,and was very respectful of all he met.
Kathi

We have a guy living in our dugouts at our little league field. There was another man that was there all spring but is now gone.

I watched him on Friday get up from his "reading" and pee in the corner!!! There are porta potties about 100 steps from where he makes his "bed". Grrrr... Needless to say I went and sprayed the area with germicidal cleaner Saturday morning before the kids got in there for practice!

2 years ago, I used to leave a hotdog and soda out when I was leaving the fields for the guy that "moved" in at that time!

I'm glad you are able to help this man when he needs it..
I'd love to help the guys more..but after watching Friday...I think he needs to MOVE!

They also have those pop top lids of ravioli and things like that you could pop in the microwave for him. Fruit roll ups or peanuts? I agree on bottled water.

Here is a link that might be useful: Our love for our son who is autistic

I was going to suggest that any of the canned items you give him should have the pop tops...unless you open them for him. There used to be a guy living under the freeway by DS's work and we used to pack him something just about everyday. Between me and my son he ate at least 1-2 meals a day. Turns out his wife and child were killed in an accident a few years before and he just lost it for a few months...depression and lost his job. Just gave up on everything he had going. He couldn't get himself together after that and ended up homeless and helpless. My son got to know him pretty well and took him food everyday, and clothing from time to time. He was really a nice guy. We gave him a one man tent which he appreciated in the rainy months. He refused alot of blankets and such as he had to move around alot and couldn't carry it all. He just disappeard one day my son said...no one seemed to know what happened to him after that. I do hope he found some help and got a job and a place to stay. You just never know what their story is and why they are the way they are. I too look at them differently after this man's story. Good for you CR for not turning him away. I figure if they are not asking for money then they are pretty legit in asking. I'll give food and clothing...I have a problem giving money..I'm afraid it'll go for booze and drugs. Dh gives money with no problem....he always says "whatever gets them through the day"...I wish I could see it that way.

protein--that's hardest to get when you're homeless; it's what I almost always donate to the church or school for their giveaway pantry.

(I think that's what I'd do--send someone to a place like that, that I knew existed and was contributing to.)

Get a gift card, for a local fast food place.
He can get what he wants, and it will be hot.

If a homeless man came to my house asking for food I'd be so stumped I don't know what I'd do. I think I'd ask him what he wanted. I could come up with fresh fruit/vegetables most of the time, and bologna and cheese, cracker snacks. And water, it's hot here. And living where I live, I'd wonder how many doors he went to and got refused before he came to me.

I have a friend a couple blocks over who would invite him in, I have no doubt. She'd made him a hot meal, a cup of coffee, listen to his story and offer to take him somewhere, like a shelter or other service. She picks up people who look stranded on the road and I've known her to invite a door-to-door salesman in for food/drink "because he looked so tired." Gotta love her, she has the biggest heart of anyone I know. She comes from a place of knowing hard luck and doesn't forget it.

Bless you.