Is there an atheist charity for the homeless?

[Curmudgeoness]

Or at least a non-Christian charity. I didn't realize just how prevasive religion is in charities until a friend with boxes full of socks was looking for a way to get them to the homeless. All the suggestions turned out to be Christian organizations---Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, soup kitchens.

Then she said "I just wish there was a pagan or at least nondenominational charity". I can't come up with one but there must be. She is in Pittsburgh, but any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Downwinder]

1. Our local Crisis Center, not sure elsewhere.

[skepticscott]

2. Is there a bird-watcher's charity for the homeless?

Is there a scrapbooker's charity for the homeless?

Why this incessant need to bolster the false equivalency between religion and atheism?

[Curmudgeoness]

3. I understand what you are saying.

But the rest of my question is....is there a charity that is not religious in affiliation? Seriously, we have come up with all the charities we know about, and every one of them is religious in nature. If they are truly helping people, I will support them, but I would prefer to support a charity that is not cramming hell down peoples' throats.

And atheism is not a hobby. And the same can be said for "liberals"----is there a liberal business or charity? Not exactly, but there are businesses and charities run by liberals. Atheism can be considered a philosophy, as can liberalism. So maybe the question would be is there a charity run by an atheist or atheists. Barring that, is there a non-religious charity.

[skepticscott]

4. Atheism is not even a hobby

It is a lack of belief in gods, period. It requires no action or participation whatsoever. It is not an overarching philosophy like liberalism or religion that dictates what a person's attitudes should be on a variety of issues.

If you want to look for a secular charity, that's fine...but there's no such thing as an atheist charity, nor does there need to be (despite the rantings of some on the Religion Board) in order for atheism to be true.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. The OP did say "Or at least a non-Christian charity"

It seemed quite clear from the OP that it was not at all about an "incessant need to bolster the false equivalency between religion and atheism", but about not wanting to direct the help through a Christian one.

I can offer some suggestions for Britain, but not the US; maybe you can suggest an American secular homeless charity? That would be useful.

[AlbertCat]

6. Secular charities

http://freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Secular_charities

[Curmudgeoness]

7. Thanks, AlbertCat.

That is a very good resource. I don't see anything to help with the sock donation, but we may have come up with a solution to that by going straight to the people who we want to help ourselves.

I am fed up with the "god's mission" or "doing god's work" organizations, since this sort of thing perpetuates the myth that only Christians care.

I am surprised by one organization on the list that I don't really know much about, but I had just assumed was tied to religion, and that is Rotary.

[LAGC]

8. Do you have a Goodwill in your area?

Unlike their counterpart, the Salvation Army which is an evangelical Christian "charity" that is also politically and socially-active promoting religion, Goodwill is a secular organization that runs thrift stores coast-to-coast. From their page: "Our network of 165 independent, community-based Goodwills in the United States and Canada offers customized job training, employment placement and other services to people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges."

We have a few in our area, they accept used merchandise donations, including clothing, appliances, electronics and furniture.

[Curmudgeoness]

9. Yes, there is one in our town

and I do donate most of my used clothes to them, and that is about the only place that I buy clothes. The biggest problem I have with them is that they SELL all the things donated to them. Sometimes, there are people who can hardly afford the prices, which are way below new retail prices, but they are not cheap. Also, even though most of these boxes of socks are new or barely used, I have never seen socks sold by Goodwill.

But I do love Goodwill. For me, it is great to be able to replace clothes inexpensively.

[Lordquinton]

20. Could always just go to the local homeless camp and give them the socks

I think that Goodwill doesn't do socks due to health reasons, and I don't blame them, really. I sometimes just hand stuff to the local homeless, though lately it's just been a "Hey, how are you doing" and try not to feel guilty for walking by with my cheap fast food lunch...

[Marcia Brady]

10. Why does it matter?

I think it's much more important to get needed items to those in need, regardless of how they get there.

[Curmudgeoness]

11. I am just tired of Christians pushing their beliefs

so hard on others, whether they are interested or not. I am tired of hearing about how God is behind all things good. And I am at a point where I would like to find secular charities instead of giving religion even more power by helping people with that tired meme of "God provided" this.

But what brought this up was my friend's comment about wanting to find a non-religious charity, and my being at a loss to suggest one.

I agree that help for people who need it is still help, but I see how this gives these organizations and their beliefs more power.

[Marcia Brady]

12. For me, I don't care about who gets the credit or the power

There are people who need food, shelter, socks!!! Christian charities do a pretty remarkable job of getting those tings into the right hands (or on the right feet!)

If their religion is motivating people to donate, or to work in soup kitchens, or whatever, I don't much care. As long as they are willing to do it. because, without it, the people who need it would suffer much more than necessary.

[Curmudgeoness]

13. If an atheist is motivated to donate or work in a soup kitchen,

I guarantee that religion is not the motivator. And they do donate and work in soup kitchens.

[Marcia Brady]

14. No question about that

But there are those who only do so for religious reasons. Whatever makes them do it is okay by me.

[Phillip McCleod]

15. food not bombs is not atheist but not religious either

also look into local 'occupy' group if you have one. both are at least politically progressive though not overtly sympathetic to atheism

[Curmudgeoness]

16. Thanks. I had not thought about Occupy Pittsburgh

since I live a few hours away from them, but my friend is right there in the city. I will suggest she get with them. I know that at some point she has been there to bring them food.

[backscatter712]

17. The Salvation Army is particularly obnoxious.

Last edited Wed Dec 12, 2012, 12:02 AM - Edit history (1)

They proselytize to anyone receiving their services, whenever they can get away with it (and they've gotten in trouble for bible-bashing on the government dime.) Earlier this year, a Salvation Army officials stated that gays should be put to death.

They use their charity as an excuse to be a bunch of god-botherers.

http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Salvation_Army

[Curmudgeoness]

18. Yes, I am aware of how SA feels about their mission and gays.

It is too bad, because they really are there when other charities are not. They help anyone who says that they need it. But at a great cost to people who are not interested in their message.

[dfwahh]

19. There sure is!

We are an atheist charity that helps the homeless, as you can tell by our creative name: DFW Atheists Helping the Homeless. The DFW stands for "Dallas/Fort Worth".

Check us out on Facebook
Or Twitter
Or our Website

[Curmudgeoness]

25. I love it!!!

I wish I was close to you so that I could help with that one! I think it is so important that you state "atheists" in your name. How well is this received? (And I don't mean by the homeless, because I am sure that they appreciate any help.)

[LostOne4Ever]

21. Can't think of any

Can't think of any.

I could be wrong (as there are none in my hometown), but I hear the Unitarian/Universalist church count atheists, agnostics, and even pagans among their ranks. Maybe there is one near you doing charity work for the homeless?

Would that be acceptable?

[Curmudgeoness]

26. Our Unitarian church doesn't do much

besides just have meetings. But you are right, all beliefs and non-beliefs are welcome there. I have been to a few meetings and gatherings that they have had, but they are small and don't really get involved in the community.

[LeftishBrit]

22. In the UK, the biggest homelessness charity, Shelter, is totally secular: not religious or atheist

Last edited Mon May 13, 2013, 11:46 AM - Edit history (1)

http://england.shelter.org.uk/


Probably this isn't much help to you; but I'd be surprised if there were no nondenominational homelessness charities in America.

In any case, I personally wouldn't worry too much about religious origins of a charity, provided that it helps people in need without attaching strings to the help, or trying to convert them.

ETA: Having said this, I do understand people's concerns about the Salvation Army in particular.

[Curmudgeoness]

27. Most of the religious charities do try to push the religion part.

And those that are not blatant will brag about the wonders of god helping them do their work....and that just sticks in my craw.

Of course, you are right, it doesn't matter as long as they are doing good things and helping those who need help. But if I am given a choice, I would really like to keep religion out of it entirely....if there is a choice.

[Heddi]

23. try a local hospital...they always need clothes

for people that:
come in naked and need something to go home in (happens frequently)

have their clothing cut away because they were in an accident, etc

are homeless and are wearing clothes that are soaking wet, foul/ unwashed/ contaminated with live, scabies, bed bugs

the ER I worked in in Sesttle was a country hospital and 80ish% of our patients were homeless or housing insecure. Socks would have been greatly appreciated, as we're hats, pants, shoes, shirts.

[Curmudgeoness]

24. This is something I never would have thought about.

How do they normally deal with this? I have a low opinion of hospitals because of the way that they gouge people who need them, and I would worry about them charging these people $1000 for the donated clothes that I gave, but I am hoping I am wrong. I have to ask some people I know what happens in those situations here.

[Heddi]

28. some thoughts

I'm a registered nurse and have tried to make it a point to work for community, non profit hospitals. The last hospital I worked at was so 'community' that Only about 30% of the patients had insurance. the rest were charity care or Medicaid/Medicare.

we didn't charge for anything. we gave out clothes, bus tokens, meal vouchers, medicines...killed our budget but what the fuck can you do? I'm not going to not treat someone with lice because they can't afford the kwell or new clothes or a shower. Do we'd kwell them and shower them and shave their beards and head if they wanted, give them new clothes and a sammich.

find your local community hospital or trauma center. Trauma centers are generally (not always) community hospitals. Ask around..what's the hospital you go to of you're poor. They'll not charge for the clothes and they really will go to people who need them.

even the for-profit hospitals I've world at never charged for clothes. you get bad press if you send people home naked, or I. paper scrubs. so even the for-profits would clothe people for free.

undies shoes and socks wre always the most needed. those hats everyone
crochets for the homeless....there was a room that had I swear millions of crocheted hats that people made and donated. I certainly don't want to discourage anyone from making or donating knit hats, but check to see if they need them

you should find the hospital you are interested in donating to and call the ER (call the main line and ask to be put through) then ask to speak with the ER Social Worker. they'll let you know how and where to donate

another thing we always liked: new NEW (not used because of risk of bacteria transmission) stuffed animals and toys and crayons and coloring books for the kiddos

[Curmudgeoness]

29. Makes me wonder why our hospital never has drives for these items.

Maybe they just have people who donate as much as they need. Or more likely, they may have a relationship with the charities in the area for items that they need.

You are right, it would be bad publicity to send people from the hospital naked!

I will check with our local hospital (the only one in the area) and see if they need things, and what those things might be. Thanks for the idea.

[Heddi]

30. I don't know why they don't have drives

and besides staff knowing that the items were needed and donating them, I don't know where they got the clothes the did

good luck in your charity search

another thing....if you want to make sure the items go to those that need it, have you tried contacting a homeless shelter or domestic abuse shelter directly? They would probably be happy to take them off your hands and I'm pretty sure they do t charge for them

[Curmudgeoness]

31. Well, our homeless shelter is VERY religious.

The name says it all---Joshua's Mission. And they preach all the time. I was hoping to avoid direct donation to them, but still get help to the people who need it. It is not that I have not donated to them, I just was hoping/wondering there was another option. Maybe it is just the area I am living in. Lots of religion and zealots here.

[Heddi]

32. I hear ya,

Last edited Mon May 13, 2013, 08:19 PM - Edit history (2)

I refuse. Re-Fuse to give to Salvation Army. Fuckig bigots. In Seattle the Bread of Life mission would beg every year around as and thanksgiving for $$. Fuck them. I'm not supporting a 'souls for soup' bullshit operation.

people say I'm denying the poor by not utilizing or donating to these charities. it's bullshit. I'm not enabling bad behaviors. Charity wants my money, they get it if they are inclusive and secular. hate gays? beg Fred fucking phelps for $$, not me

[Smarmie Doofus]

33. Ethical Culture? Unitarian? Red Cross?

They're essentially secular. There's many others, I'm sure.

[cleanhippie]

34. YOU are the atheist charity.

If you have something to donate, take it to where the people are that may need it and give it to them.

Me? I go help out at the local food bank, not as part of a group, but as an individual that simply wants to help others, because its the right thing to do.

[Capt. Obvious]

35. The government

Ha, just kidding