The homeless have a tough time opening cans unless they have openers.
Archaeologist Larry Zimmerman, who conducted an archaeological survey of the homeless with student and colleague Jessica Welch, commenting in November/December 2009 issue of Archaeology on how "donations can simply go to waste if complementary items are not also offered."
Zimmerman and Welch found many cans around homeless sites unopened for want of a can opener and many hotel guest-size shampoo bottles unopened for want of running water. Survey findings indicate that "shoes, food, blankets and clothing can be put to better and more creative use and reuse if they are given with common-sense items such as shoelaces, scissors, rope, glue, and razors."
1 comment:
Thanks for the great, practical, and should-be-obvious suggestion. We're going to a tour of our local food bank Friday to cap off of our Dads' Groups donation drive. I'll throw a can opener in our donation bag, too!
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