There are jobs offered by the government, food banks and shelters. I used to volunteer to distribute food but since then I have tried to find out what the root of poverty is. What happens when more than enough is provided to someone who has nothing?
The problem in all cases is that people see money and think, "What am I going to buy with this?"
Many are not happy until the have found a use for every last dollar in the bank, drawer or in their pocket.
More on that in future posts.
Most of the circumstances that people like friend John experience are caused by family problems, from sibling fights to the loss of a loved one, can be the disappointment of a love. Many only see the money to get rid of thirst or hunger, but the feelings, disappointment or nostalgia are in there, in the soul.
I once published a post on this subject but in Spanish, I do not know how it looked when I published it in English
https://steemit.com/steempress/@jadnven/concurso-de-cuentos-fotocuento-semana-9-un-viejo-errante (Español)
https://steemit.com/steempress/@jadnven/an-old-wanderer-photo-tales (English)