One characteristic of this Homeless SNAP Challenge is
finding a place to eat. With a commitment not to cook, refrigerate or eat at
home, having a place to sit down and have a meal has created serious challenges
and problems.
I work out of my home, meaning that I don’t have another place
of business or an office. But I’m very unproductive if I stay home. Like many
consultants and contractors, I grab a latte and a snack and settle down to work
in a coffee shop. During this challenge, I can’t do that. Sure, I know that the
manager and baristas of Kaladi Brothers Coffee would appreciate what I’m doing
and welcome me even without a purchase. After all, I’m a regular customer. They
start my soy latte with a half-shot of vanilla syrup when they see my car roll
up. But how long would they tolerate a customer that doesn’t regularly spend $6
- $10 each time they walk in the door?
It’s winter in Alaska. Sometimes it’s tolerable to sit in a
park to eat. Sometimes not. I’m working now in the public library, but they
discourage food – and I am a rule follower. Most of the times, I find a place
to park and eat in my car. After all, that’s where the food is stored. Even
that is a constructed practice that a homeless person might not get to do. Gas
is expensive and I burn more gas in a day than the SNAP allowance.
I’ll look into the places where anyone might be welcomed to
get out of the cold and have a meal. Right now, it’s indeed a challenge.
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