Sleeping bag guy

That part of the trail belongs to the Arlington PD. If you call them on their non-emergency number, 703.558.2222, and tell them the truth about what you see, they’ll be able to respond in an appropriate manner. They’re probably quite familiar with this person. I called them about a guy who was actually sprawled across the trail, in some type of chemically- or medically-induced distress, and they handled the situation with compassion.

He’s been there several times when coming through pre-Shirlington Lunch Ride, I bet that’s one of his spots to sleep, because he’s usually gone when coming back thru around noon.

He’s completely harmless. I stopped one late night on my way home (it was a cold one) to see if he could use an extra layer. He said he was fine, but I gave him some sandwiches that were left over from a luncheon my office had. He asked what on earth I was doing out so late. He knew the forecast for the weather better than I did.

Very few homeless are dangerous, and probably more to themselves than to you. I just think it’s stupid with all the “stuff” we as a society have that we can’t come up with a solution to homelessness or hunger. I see thousands of pounds of veggies and bread chucked out the back of Costco every night. They then LOCK the dumpsters so that no one can get at it. Idiocy.

@thecyclingeconomist 43963 wrote:

I just think it’s stupid with all the “stuff” we as a society have that we can’t come up with a solution to homelessness or hunger.[/quote]

Most of the long-term homeless are out there by choice. The biggest problem is the huge gap in mental health services, but there comes a point at which, when someone decides they’re happier outside than in a shelter, it’s their decision. We could do a better job of ensuring access to quality assistance programs, but we also know from history that forcing people into things “for their own good” has its own problems.

Quote:

I see thousands of pounds of veggies and bread chucked out the back of Costco every night. They then LOCK the dumpsters so that no one can get at it. Idiocy.

It’s not uncommon for people to get killed when a dumpster gets dumped and then compacted. Keeping people out is a good call. There are existing programs through which stores and restaurants can donate food to food pantries and soup kitchens. Many do, more could, but if the food is actually bad then it should be dumped. If you’re aware of good, usable, food being dumped, you could try to facilitate a conversation between the business and the capital area food bank.

@krazygl00 43980 wrote:

I’ll lay dollars to donuts that Costco does this at least in part because they fear the liability of someone eating the food they’ve thrown out, or getting stuck or hurt in one of their dumpsters. And as far as giving to food banks and shelters, I could be wrong but I think regulations make that prohibitively difficult. Suffice to say I don’t think you can just send a truck over filled with stuff you were going to throw out.

It’s a myth that regulation prevents food donations, in fact the law provides Good Samaritan exemptions for donations made in good faith. The barriers typically are misinformation and lack of information about available options. Best bet is to talk to capital area food bank for details if you’re in a position to make food donations.

A-SPAN is a good organization that tries to help people like this individual.

@mstone 43984 wrote:

It’s a myth that regulation prevents food donations, in fact the law provides Good Samaritan exemptions for donations made in good faith. The barriers typically are misinformation and lack of information about available options. Best bet is to talk to capital area food bank for details if you’re in a position to make food donations.

I guess I was thinking more of things like this. But I’m not sure how widespread local regulations like that are.

I volunteer with and support Miriam’s Kitchen in Foggy Bottom. An absolutely fabulous organization.
* The barrier to donating food has nothing to do with regulation
* One barrier is whether the food is perishable. Most food banks and soup kitchens dont want and cant use perishable food – certainly not on the scale that Costco would be unloading.
* Otherwise the major barrier to donating food is just organization. Getting someone organized enough to pick up unused or unwanted food and delivering it. For Costco or whoever, the cost of dumping it is cheaper than the cost of donating it.
* And yes Costco probably has an attractive nuisance issue with its dumpsters

Finally, people tend to be homeless for a reason. There are certainly economic reasons, but in a place like Washington where the economy continues to grow, big reasons are mental illness and substance abuse.

One of the reasons I love Miriam’s Kitchen is how they tie being a soup kitchen into housing services, employment services, health and mental care.

At Miriams Kitchen, well, the program is very well run…. and there is a security guard always present.

Please be careful of soft thinking. And please be careful of doing things that perpetuate this persons situation. There are programs in Arlington and other jurisdictions to help people like this:
* A-SPAN
* Alexandria Arlington Coalition for the Homeless
* Arlington County Guide to Homeless Services
* Doorways
and others.