Charitable organisations are non-profit…
Charitable organisations are non-profit groups focused on philanthropy, benevolence, and social well-being. Because my family is really struggling with food and needed support, I searched online for help. I had never heard of "Surplus to Supper" before, but their advertisement sounded promising.
Hoping for relief, my daughter and I walked four miles to get there. What we actually found was the heavy smell of alcohol, and a lot of men dressed similarly, enjoying the weekend with glasses of beer and loud, drunken laughter. I asked the bartender if this was the right place—the place that advertised, "You will get support and everyone is welcome." The man said yes and pointed to a woman dressed in black who was socializing with a group of men drinking beer. He told me we had to ask her for the support.
We stood there for a minute. I know I am poor right now, but I have not lost my self-respect. Am I supposed to beg from drunks? My daughter and I felt like we could easily become targets, especially when I noticed a sign on the wall that read: "The club is not responsible for conversations inside or outside with unknown people."
It felt dangerous—combining our financial vulnerability with intoxicated people next to the riverside. We left as quickly as possible. The only good thing was that they ignored us and did not follow us, so we did not become targets.