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Do you give homeless people money?
Posted by ElectricMermaid • 10/15/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: cardboard executives, donating, homeless, money, panhandlers
There are a lot of cardboard executives here (as I like to call them) but I usually always give some money, regardless of what I believe they will do with it.
Do you refrain from giving money to panhandlers because you believe they'll just buy booze? Or do you give in spite of the possibility they may use the money to appease an addiction?
User Comments
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It's not my responsiblity to monitor what they do with it, once I give it to them they determine their fate with it -
The only person that I give money to is the man who's been selling newspapers on the bridge going into DC and he's there every morning as he has been for the past 5 years. I usually don't carry change with me as it is and I'd rather give my money to a homeless person who is proactive (Selling newspapers, drumming on trashcans, etc) over someone who is just standing there with a sign. -
I never give money out. But if I'll buy them a meal every once in a while.-
wrong spot
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Hi ElectricMermaid:)
I never ever give beggers money! or homeless people! I have been homeless and broke many times but i have too much pride to beg and find it offensive when they ask! I dont mind if at least they provide a service such as a ahoe shine, car wash etc!! as mr wolf says! bye them a meal! that is good, but you need to be smart to spot the genuine from the fakes which is not easy!
These so called homeless and poor people all get benefits, especially in many states anyway! and have enough money to live on and anyone who gives money to these so called beggers, are encouraging them to continue making an easy and very good living. Give your money to charitys, the sick and disabled instead! or me! lol
I know people actually who beg (not personaly but realible source) and pretend to be homeless and then at the end of the day, return to there car to drive to there home! Begging is very profitable! especially if your good at your job! if it can be called a job!
PS.. Hi everyone!:) i dont know where this message will go or who wil be eading this but hi! im new today and hope to be able to get to know you and more of you soon!.
Click here to donate $10 to joey blogs!!! haha:D-
Joeyblogs
I too have been there and never asked people for money I was to ashemed I almost lost my life from NOT asking., not all people are homeless do to drugs or alcolhol.
some people loose their jobs and then become homeless or have no families to turn too,. it is a shame, alot of people are mentally ill,. or vets with hardly any assistance to help get them off the street it is one of the most demoralizing things to happen to a person.
not enuff monies to provide shelter and food,. there needs to be change in helping people that end up nowhere,.the street.
hb
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yes, I often give money to homeless people, not much, but it helps.
you never know if one day you are gonna end up like them... -
My best friend loves to donate to people in the streets...
Christianity at work
So he can get to preach.-
He gives them money and then preaches at them?
Why not just donate and listen to them?
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joeyblogs brought up a good point. While in Boston I met a guy begging for money. Had some time to kill and talked to him. He said he made between 100-400 a day while also getting monthly checks from the government.
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Occasionally. Most of the time when I'm on the road, I'm in uniform (on the way to or from work) so I don't - because I work for a law enforcement agency..and Panhandling is illegal where I live.
Plus not to mention - a lot of those people make more in a day than I do in a pay period!-
No kidding about them making more money. Theres this one couple that do their thing by a mall/offramp and I've caught them more than once getting into a brand new toyota parked by the walmart a couple blocks down.
Panhandling really isn't a bad job when you think about it. What's worse? Begging or dressing up as a chicken with a hole in the neck while holding up a sign for $7 an hour?
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I have given money to homeless. But I have not to the locals in recent years because I was threatened by some when I refused sexual favors. -
nope -
I don't give money, but have bought them food.-
me too
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i give them money, food, and sometimes both.. but yeah if they buy booze you cant stop them. most of them buy it to get through the night or even the day.. even though i would rather them buy food or something to drink.. i cant tell them what to do.. you know what i mean. im not saying its right that they buy alcohol. im just saying.. if you give them money you cant decided how they should spend it because you did give it to them -
My husband gives money. I usually go get something warm to eat (if it's cold) or a nice cold drink (if it's hot outside). We give a lot of clothing to a local organization that helps to clothe homeless families. We also cook for a soup kitchen and have voluteered at the food pantry.
I guess I just am not sure whether or not money is the solution. Sometimes I think people give it and it may make the giver feel better, but I've never known it to really help any of the homeless people I know.
When I was in college, there was a longtime fixture in town. Her name was Georgia and she was bi-polar. I worked at a hotel, and we had a very hot week. She came in and purchased a week-long stay, paid for up-front and in cash. Later that year, she passed away, and the police officer who found her said she had cash in every pocket and throughout her bags in her cart.
I think Georgia would have benefitted more from adequate diagnosis and medical care than just the dollar bills people would hand her.
That's just one opinion.-
midwest mom bless your heart!
hb
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I do not give money directly to homeless people. I give to organizations that help the homeless.
Too many homeless people will take the money you give them and buy alchol and drugs. To just blindly enable them to do that is plain irresponsible,
regardless of your intentions.-
It's called trust. Why not take them to restaurant with you? They are human also.
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Yes I do. Especially in winter. When its bitterly cold I give a bit for a coffee or something. When I'm frozen, and I have a heated home to go to where I can can drink endless cups of tea and coffee, I figured out I better keep my logic and arguments to myself and go on 'feeling' which tells you which are the really desperate and the professionals. -
I give money to associations I trust and I sponsor some children for them to get an education.
But I'm very much results oriented, so I seldom give to a beggar in the street... -
I never have, the chances of getting mugged are too great. I just tell them (if I say anything at all) that I don't carry cash on me which is usually true anyway. -
If I see that the person appears to be unable to work, ie. old or disabled, then yes. But if a guy is in his mid twenties and looks like he can physically work then no. My philosophy is that I believe if you can walk you can work. -
nope. i buy them food though. -
I do, part of my apostolic work. However, I do it secretly. -
I have 2 schools of thought on here:
1. I ask them what they will spend it on. If they say drugs or alcohol, I give them some cash. I then hope they get drunk and walk in front of a bus. One time a guy told me he was going to buy and consume liquid shoe polish. I gave him 10 bucks.
2. They ask for 'spare change.' My idea of spare is something you never plan on using. I plan on using all my money. Sorry no 'spare change.'-
DAMN. What kind of hard life ommits one to passing up whisky and cack and going straight for the shoe polish. My GOD!
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It's overwhelming here as well. There seems to be panhandlers on every corner in this city. I am so poor these days that I can't afford to give money away, but when I do I don't worry about where it's going. -
I may buy them a hot dog or a beer, but never any money. -
No I don't. For three reasons, 1) pulling money out for any reason on the street is a BAD move especially in NYC where people will follow you and take the rest of it, without hesitation. 2) because I know that a lot of them are using it to support drug addictions. And 3)i usually need my money more than they do. I might be able to eat when I need to...but who's gonna help my credit score when I can't afford to pay my credit card bill??!
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At your first point, my thoughts exactly. The risk of whipping your wallet out on the street is too great these days.
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I'll buy a meal - but never give cash. If the person is truly in need they will come and eat with me - if they want it for other purposes they wont.
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Only if I can count them on my taxes...jk...I give money to a local homeless shelter because it is true that there are scammers out there.
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They only ones I give to are the ones missing limbs. They're not faking it. -
Here in Vancouver I constantly see tourists give these bums money. I see young kids next to HELP WANTED signs with their hands out. These people can get jobs, walmart greeters, supermarket baggers, etc. I would NEVER give a nickle to anyone of these people. In Montreal my wife gave a homeless lady some food. I said to her that she will throw it out. SURE enough she flung it in a dumpster! They want money for DRUGS and BOOZE only. Let them starve, then they will get a JOB. TIP FOR THE HOMELESS: Food is in dumpsters behind restaurants
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Maybe it's west coast thing, I 'm from Victoria and I feel pretty much the same way. People are fighting for unskilled labour here, dishwashers, bus people, street cleaners, etc. I know that here in Victoria, for a lot of the homeless it is a lifestyle choice. The have a ton of freedom, no jobs, they actually make pretty good money, There are tons of "Backpackers Inn's" that sell rooms for really cheap. Some of these homeless kids make more than I do.
So as moneyticks said...let them starve! Just kill off the bottom of the foodchain.
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I give when I can. $5 to them means a lot more to them then it does to me. Plus I know that what you give out always comes back to you. -
No, because I work part time in a liquor store. -
It is pretty easy to spot a genuine person in need and one that is just hoping to get enough for a bottle of whiskey.
So yes, I do give money to either one, if you care enough to give then you shouldn't be judging what they do with it.-
Most violent crimes are drug related. Most sociological problems are alcohol related. If you really care, then you wouldn't encourage them.
It is your money, you can do with it what you like. -
Are we talking about giving to the needy or preventing people from drinking here????
Sorry but I think you and I are on two different thoughts.
I was always to taught to give to those in need, who the hell is talking about drugs and alcohol??? -
I was told that people get what they deserve.
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it is a good habbit to help them, but i think in this way we provoke them to stay without doing anykind of work. and specially in INDIA, baggers have made this a profession, they have their own style to beg and as for money. so i donot help them -
I found a fool proof plan: If someone asks you for change, you tell them you want to kick them in the nuts for it. If they say yes, you know they really need the money. If they say no, you know they're not really desperate for money.
Of course if you had a girl bum you'd have a problem. -
No, I am a greedy bitch. -
A long jacket once that was just getting stale in the back of my car. -
No because with so many homeless people around, you'll end up broke and homeless yourself. -
Tried once, but he wouldn't drop his drawers so I could swipe my visa card through. His loss, amirite?
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u r rite
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I live in a neighbourhood with two shelters and a serious crack problem, so I usually have a bunch of homeless on my doorstep. Once a week, I pick someone who looks truly unhappy and sick, and buy them a bunch of food at the pizza joint on the corner. They get something to eat, I know my money didn't go for drugs, and they leave me alone so they don't piss me off. It works out pretty well.
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Yes! Give homeless people money!
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Give them NOTHING. They will constantly harass everyone in your neighborhood, then they will take your hard earned money and blow it on crack, booze or pot. They can sell flowers to make money, work at walmart, clean outside stores,windows or wash cars. flamingpoodle has it right..lol
www.thecomingdepression.blogspot.com -
Having been homeless for a time I don't give it to anyone not willing to work for it in some manner. I don't care if all they have is a funny joke a laugh is worth some change. of course these days I am not giving anything to anyone as it is hard enough trying to figure out how to pay my own bills at the moment. -
Having been homeless, myself, you bet your @$$ I do.-
This is the difference between those know know anyone can become homeless and those who can't imagine that the homeless are actually human beings.
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Most folks are out of touch with reality.
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@Mark: of course the most out of touch I can't stand to be around people types are usually the ones who claim to be the best christians I have found...
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One quarter of the homeless in the US are Army Veterans.
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article2873622.ece -
i used to carry extra food with me for that. some of them would look at me like i was nuts and some would take it gratefully. not for me to judge 'em otherwise. there but for the grace of god...
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I do but only if they do not give me some cry me to sleep story. I was told by one lady that she needed baby formula and so I went and bought it for her. It cost me 45 dollars. I mean who wants a poor new born to go hungry. Problem was that she never showed up at the time I told her to meet me. Found out later she was a scam artist that wanted just money. -
No. But i've thought (maybe for x-mas) to leave dollar bills in different locations and anyone could take it. This is my donation. -
I don't give them money but I will buy them a coffee and talk to them for a bit, nobody deserves to live on the street. -
Is anyone actually HELPING the homeless besides throwing them little tidbits now and then to ease your conscience?
How about helping them with job placement or offering them a job yourself?
Has anyone taken a homeless person to your residence for a meal..or let them shower? Offer them your bed or clothes.
Not all homeless folks are drug addicts or alcoholics either.
And...yes, I've done all the above!-
MarkPogue
when I was in my 20's and NOT homeless lol I did give homeless people a place to stay,. eat,.and shower.
hb -
@ harleyblues
And that's a very commendable action. I wish more would do the same. -
thanx I wouldn't do it now,. I was more wreckless back than and they were people my age,. or people I met along the way who were homeless it really is an awfully thing to go thru,. one day on the street feels like a week
hb
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The beginning of succes is by giving...-
Good quote! I agree wholeheartedly!
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Right on Micro27!
hb
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I used to be homeless. Actually, I was homeless on and off since I was about 18 but I wasn't realllly homeless until just over a year ago.
Anyway, I would never hand out money for a few reasons:
1. Most of them collect disability insurance every month, this gives them about 800-1000 dollars to do whatever they want with it. Guess where it all ends up? Mostly drugs, alcohol and whatever else it is they're after.
2. Homeless people are homeless because of poor decisions they've made. I was homeless due to a majorly irresponsible father and a drinking problem I used to have...Hanging around the people I chose to didn't help matters any, plus I was always naive and very giving. People who want to get better and make better for themselves besides picking up cans and standing on the freeway with a sign will always find a way if they show initiative.
3. I can't think of one homeless person who doesn't have an excuse and a feel-sorry-for-me copout. They either blame drugs or the crowds they hanged out with or all the acid they used to do. I've NEVER taken a hard drug in my life (The common reason people are homeless these days is because of Meth and Heroin) and as a result of not taking hard drugs, I managed to stay clean and on my feet whenever possible.
So, with that being said: I don't give them money because they just want a handout from the public. They beg, they steal, they shoot dope and ask the public to help them in their time of need, rather than being responsible and using local and state resources.-
And many are mentally-handicapped that can no longer get treatment due to state budget restraints. Many of them are neglected veterans of war.
Is that the reward they receive for serving their country?
Is that "just making excuses"??? -
"And many are mentally-handicapped that can no longer get treatment due to state budget"
I think you should read the part about "Disability" again. They receive SSI and/or SSDI every month, and they make more than I do. They also receive Medi-Cal which gives them all the medication and everything else they could ever need. I still managed to get off the streets. And just for arguments sake, I'm also mentally handicapped.
If being homeless and "neglected" really were true, then why isn't every veteran (And mentally handicapped) on the corner begging for a buck?
I've been in the mental health system for 4 years now. You learn to get the bigger picture of things when you actually live in it.
Any more questions? -
@ riverstyxxx
Where do all of the patients go when state homes are closed and cannot afford private care?
I'm only stating this because this happened in Missouri under Governor Matt Blunt. I also work at a local mission and have spoken with hundreds of homeless. -
You're getting way off topic now, this is supposed to be about illegal panhandling. I stated my reasons and I stand by them.
Yeah, you've "Spoken" to them; but remember talk is cheap with those people. They'll do just about anything to make a buck or have someone feel sorry for them, just keep that in mind.
I'm done with this topic, obviously I'm just talking to a brick wall now. -
@ riverstyxxx
That's a very cruel and broad statement about someone that may have sacrificed their health for our benefit.
The subject is, "Do you give homeless people money?"
Others members have responded to the facet or idea of panhandling. Not all homeless are panhandlers.
Not all homeless are drug addicts. Not all homeless have rejected the convenience of having a home.
Some have fallen through the cracks of state/federal medical care and landed in our streets.
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One-quarter of all Americans met the criteria for having a mental illness within the past year, are you going to take a chance on bringing him/her to your home for a meal and visit? LOL
www.thecomingdepression.blogspot.com -
I use discesion in who I give money too and yes I give homeless people money
at times I even bought a guy lunch on my birthday if you were ever homeless you would understand why
hb -
Yes, but when I lived in Los Angeles I was asked for money everytime I got out of my car and often ignored requests. I give when I can and make no further judgement, if it's booze that gets them through another day,then so be it. -
I give food, blankets, clothing etc...I rarely have any cash on hand myself, though.
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