But worry not -- The Eliza Dolittle Society have not borrowed their approach from Brazil.

Instead the society is putting them in touch with personal mentors to help get their life back on track.

Around 40 vagrants enjoyed a hot meal at the Anglican Cathedral hall in Hamilton yesterday at a getting-to-know you session.

Society chairwoman Margaret Vaucrosson said: "Homelessness is a problem we can solve, that's the way we look at it.'' Questionnaires were given out to assess the needs of the homeless and to find out where they were staying.

The forms will help marry up mentors with suitable homeless people as well as notify Government of pressing health needs.

"Unless a person has a fixed abode they don't have access to the system. So mentors can make sure they have health insurance and those kinds of things,'' says Ms. Vaucrosson.

Mentors with skills can then pass on one-to-one coaching to give their charges help in landing jobs.

Some mentors might even agree to take people into their own homes hopes Ms.

Vaucrosson. But she concedes this will take time.

"You can't ask people to take others in without knowing anything about them.'' Other tasks for mentors include taking the homeless to the hairdresser, doctor and dentist and getting them clothes and shoes.

"They can find out what these people require. Our goal is to make these people blend into the community. They are not aliens.

"Word is beginning to spread but no matter how hard you try sometimes you will find these people prefer to live this way.

"In our view they need to be tethered into society, we need to know they are out there so people who really need help can get the help they require.

"Many of the men here today are recovering from alcohol or drug addictions.

They need somebody to make sure they get to work on time.

"In a lot of cases these people have lost their family or become alienated from them.

"They need someone to guide them and feed and clothe and house them.

"It's about re-socialising them and getting them used to work.

"We dovetail with existing societies and services.'' One of which is Fern Wade's Hands of Love mission which helps out with clothing.

Helping the homeless to help themselves Volunteers are also needed to help the Eliza Dolittle Society with future lunches and provide food. Ms. Vaucrosson pointed out that Government was trying to deal with the homeless in often difficult circumstances. "When people have no fixed abode they are often not reliable enough to report.

Social services are not sitting on their thumbs.'' One client The Royal Gazette spoke to at yesterday's lunch gave the service the thumbs up.

The Salvation Army resident, who wished not to be named, said the mentor scheme could be just what he needed. He said: "I am looking for help. If someone can help me I am willing. I need guidance and somebody to talk to. At the shelter there's no one to talk to.

"My mother passed away and my family are struggling. I didn't want to be a burden on them. I am 42-years-old.'' "I earn $600 a week but I can't find a studio to live in. They are charging $1,800 for them now.

"Government has to do something to help. And there are a lot of women out there on the street struggling too.''