I guess we got our privately-funded homeless shelters and food lockers in the US back in the 1980s, when Ronald Reagan cut what few programs we had for the needy. Seems to me that Margaret Thatcher did the same thing in the UK, but maybe more drastically.

I think it should be the responsibility of government to ensure adequate food and housing for all. However, I have to say that privately-funded food and housing services have a far more personal approach than a government agency could have. Our local food banks and homeless shelters are really wonderful - but they are able to serve only a small portion of the people who need their help.

-Joe-