Charity Makes Homeless People Pay $3 For Meals Made of Donated Food, Turns Homeless Man Away Who Doesn't Have $3 to Spare

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Jun 22, 2026 7:45 PM EDT

What's the point of giving charity if the recipients have to pay for it?

It is so incredibly difficult to function on a day-to-day basis if you don't eat enough food. Eating three meals a day does wonders for you if you've been skipping meals for an extended period because you can't afford to eat regularly. Without regular meals, you lose the energy to be able to walk around, think, and function well as a human being. Anyone who has been food insecure can tell you that they can't be the best they can be at their job or in their personal life when they're not eating enough. Having sleep for dinner is not sustainable in the long term. 

Homeless people have to deal with the deadly combination of not getting enough food and sleeping outside amongst the elements. Under those circumstances, it's no wonder so many turn to alternative sources of comfort, because they don't have a sustainable income that allows them to eat even one meal a day. That's why soup kitchens and other charities that help the homeless are such important parts of the communities. If homeless people can eat, they have a better chance of finding a job and functioning as well as they can, given their incredibly difficult circumstances. 

The man in this story has been relying on a homeless charity for food, but they've suddenly started charging for their meals. He doesn't understand why a charity that's constantly overflowing with donations needs money from the homeless to fund their giving, and I'm inclined to agree with him. 

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  • Models of charity workers giving food to homeless people for $3 per plate instead of giving it to the needy for free.
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Models of charity workers giving food to homeless people for $3 per plate instead of giving it to the needy for free. 

  • The local homeless charity is now charging money for a meal. I HATE MONEY.

    I am homeless and have been using the local homeless charity for a while. Everyday around 13:00-14:00 we get a meal if we book in before 11:00. The meals aren't great but the food is donated and I am very grateful for the food and
    via u/Low-Researcher8696
  • the vital life line the charity provides. However, a few days ago I booked in before 11:00 and was told I'll need to pay £3 for my lunch. I simply didn't and don't have £3. I was then informed I couldn't have any lunch and left. I asked.
    via u/Low-Researcher8696
  • why this rule had be brought in, the staff said it was to teach us about 'money management and responsibility.' They claimed that £3 wasn't a lot and it was to contribute to the charity. I would understand as everyone is struggling
    via u/Low-Researcher8696
  • Cheezburger Image 10641339392
    via Clay LeConey

    Representation of a homeless man begging on the sidewalk after getting rejected from a charity for not having enough money to pay for a hot meal.

  • right now - even charities. However, at the centre there is 5 fully paid staff and they get so many donated products that sometimes they turn them away.
    via u/Low-Researcher8696
  • Thek & Soft Cheerios. Cheerios. Cheerios, SECTION 1 SECTION 2B SECTION 4 SECT SECTION 2A SECTION 3 SECTION 5A SECT R KRIS
    via Jacob McGowin

    The backroom of a food bank, which has enough food to spare, and even some extra food leftover after getting more donations than they can handle. 

  • Most of us didn't have the £3 so some went and begged for it in the town centre or went without. I find it so dehumanizing and patronizing to be told I need to learn the consequences of having no money. Do they not think we know what it's
    via u/Low-Researcher8696
  • like to have NO MONEY? We live on the streets and in the forest. We know that no money means, no homes, no food, no clothes, no car, no family, no friends, no holidays, no coffee and no opportunities. I hate money so much because
    via u/Low-Researcher8696
  • it makes people greedy and entitled. I wish I had the ability to obtain lots of money but sadly it's not in my skillset. I won't be going back to the charity because I don't feel it's worth the money or right to pay for
    via u/Low-Researcher8696
  • food that donated. It just makes me sad that now there's another item on the list I have to find money for. Thank you for listening to me rant, everyday is stressful being poor and I just appreciate someone to listen.
    via u/Low-Researcher8696
  • Appropriate-Power-87 Find out where the donations are coming from and let those people know the charity is charging money.
    via u/Appropriate-Power-87
  • Low-Researcher8696 OP Mostly they put adverts on Facebook and social media or local companies donate money.
    via u/Low-Researcher8696
  • Far-Watercress6658 This might sound like a lot if you're already dealing with homelessness. But have you considered complaining to senior management? Like, very high up in the charity? Plus your local council, if they fund them? Plus your local politicians? You obviously have a phone. Google the most senior person in the charity and email them. You've written a good post here, you can draft a good email explaining how this effects thr people they are supposed to be helping.
    via u/Far-Watercress6658
  • Low-Researcher8696 OP It was senior management that brought the new rule in. The charity isn't huge and the manager is there everyday. The local council and the charity work very closely and because the local council refuse to house any single people now, they really relay on the charity now. The amount of people I know on the streets who are crippled, suffering from serious mental health issues and women fleeing domestic ab e is disgusting. People will tell you that 'the council have a duty to
    via u/Low-Researcher8696
  • OrdinaryShape_ they're selling you food that was given to them for free and calling it education. the five paid staff could start the money management lesson with themselves
    via u/_OrdinaryShape_
  • T1m3Wizard Although the food is donated and they have enough excess to be able to turn some of it away, there are other cost associated with running the charity such as rent, ultities, etc. Them saying teaching us money management is more like a slap in the face thought and could've instead be upfront about needing it to supplement the cost of running the program.
    via u/T1m3Wizard
  • Behold_My_Stuff I am sorry for your situation and I hope things get better for you. But what is on your list of things to obtain money for that is more important than... food tho?
    via u/Behold_My_Stuff

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charity poor homeless donations UK food money
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