I am lucky to live in Iowa, where the poor and us aged crones get coupons for locally grown produce. I've hoarded much of my $30 worth until the end of the season. I always think I'll need it more later. I was pleased to find tomatoes and peppers, even though we had a killing frost the other night. There were also winter squash, apples, onions, and other root crops. This is not the point of my story, though.
I see lots of families traveling to get groceries and other necessities on Saturdays, because bus service is free. I never cease to admire parents who gather up the kids and shlep all over town on the bus. I know I could not do it.
I also see (and hear) many homeless people, especially while waiting for a connection in the transportation center. It's not uncommon to see many of them in the riverside park down the block, where they often sleep under the picnic shelter in good weather. As the weather begins to turn, they begin to make other arrangements. More than once, I've overheard people trying to arrange accommodations in a “motel” in the adjoining town. I think it's a decent place, but I know they charge more for a room and a bath than I pay for my apartment. What they don't do is require first and last month's rent plus deposit. That makes it more accessible for someone with mostly nothing.
I feel badly because they are paying so much and will often share the space with several others. They will be farther away from the city where there are meal sites and other services. More of their day will be spent just getting to and from things. They're also separated from the network of other homeless folks with whom they've established relationships. I know about their network because I've also overheard them organizing to help each other when something goes wrong for a friend. When one of their cohort was murdered awhile back, they had a meet-up planned within a couple of hours.
Anyway, I just had to write this. The homeless are not simply the dregs of society. They aren't stupid or incapable, despite what some people think. If the homeless who have joined up with the Occupy folks are anything like the ones that I know, the movement will benefit. These people know how to make things work.