Esqueda0

Another Portland guy here with a few questions:

Is there anything residents can do to help individuals in crisis? I've taken people through grocery/convenience stores and have them pick out some food, socks, and shoes before; but I can't help but think the food's not enough or that the clothing will be ruined shorty after we part ways. What is something ~$40-$50 that would make a big difference in the medium-term?

Is there a safe drop-off place for homeless people and are they worth driving people in crisis to? I tried driving someone to Portland Rescue Mission before, but they told the woman I brought she could only stay for 30 minutes before she had to leave. Fortunately, Right to Dream Too had some vacancies and she spent the night there and I never saw her again - but I can't help but wonder where the people who get turned away from the women's shelters should go.

Is there more-or-less a community of homeless people in PDX, or do homeless people keep to themselves? What is the perception of the outliers who drill into gas tanks or break into cars and businesses?

I'm not sure what station you listen to, but the journalism on my OPB is pretty centered on fact with little editorializing. There are opinion pieces every now and again, but they always disclose their sources and their sponsors before their segments so it's really transparent - part of the reason I make a monthly donation is because they really are truly "public radio".