Blog Catalog Discussion: Do you give homeless people money?

Anok on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

Anok — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:35:26 -0500

I give food, blankets, clothing etc...I rarely have any cash on hand myself, though.

broadfoot on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

broadfoot — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:31:52 -0500

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.

harleyblues on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

harleyblues — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:33:58 -0500

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

MarkPogue on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

MarkPogue — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:30:47 -0500

@ harleyblues

And that's a very commendable action. I wish more would do the same. :)

harleyblues on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

harleyblues — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:25:09 -0500

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 on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

harleyblues — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:23:32 -0500

Right on Micro27!

hb

harleyblues on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

harleyblues — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:19:22 -0500

midwest mom bless your heart!
hb

harleyblues on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

harleyblues — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:16:45 -0500

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

harleyblues on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

harleyblues — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:06:45 -0500

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

moneyticks on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

moneyticks — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 12:30:12 -0500

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

bradhart on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

bradhart — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:04:41 -0500

@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...

MarkPogue on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

MarkPogue — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:35:03 -0500

@ 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.

riverstyxxx on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

riverstyxxx — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:20:32 -0500

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.

MarkPogue on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

MarkPogue — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:16:27 -0500

@ 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.

riverstyxxx on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

riverstyxxx — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:02:51 -0500

"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?

MarkPogue on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

MarkPogue — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:59:13 -0500

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"???

riverstyxxx on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

riverstyxxx — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:48:34 -0500

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.

MarkPogue on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

MarkPogue — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:49:08 -0500

Good quote! I agree wholeheartedly!

micro27 on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

micro27 — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:45:57 -0500

The beginning of succes is by giving...

MarkPogue on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

MarkPogue — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:02:22 -0500

Most folks are out of touch with reality.

bradhart on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

bradhart — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:58:59 -0500

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.

flamingpoodle on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

flamingpoodle — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:56:55 -0500

I was told that people get what they deserve.

MarkPogue on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

MarkPogue — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:50:22 -0500

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!

sisterofmercy on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

sisterofmercy — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:01:06 -0500

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.

jadeflower on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

jadeflower — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:57:38 -0500

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.

mlinauer on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

mlinauer — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:23:50 -0500

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.

loverofjazz on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

loverofjazz — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:10:46 -0500

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...

polybore on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

polybore — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:59:11 -0500

One quarter of the homeless in the US are Army Veterans.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article2873622.ece

LGramlich on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

LGramlich — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:22:24 -0500

Having been homeless, myself, you bet your @$$ I do.

bradhart on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

bradhart — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:19:14 -0500

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.

moneyticks on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

moneyticks — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:11:46 -0500

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

halvoropsal on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

halvoropsal — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:49:45 -0500

Yes! Give homeless people money!

veganbilly on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

veganbilly — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:44:40 -0500

u r rite

veganbilly on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

veganbilly — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:44:25 -0500

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.

Effigy on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

Effigy — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:37:15 -0500

Tried once, but he wouldn't drop his drawers so I could swipe my visa card through. His loss, amirite?

Hangingonahyphen on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

Hangingonahyphen — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:47:38 -0500

No because with so many homeless people around, you'll end up broke and homeless yourself.

halvoropsal on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

halvoropsal — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:22:45 -0500

A long jacket once that was just getting stale in the back of my car.

offendedblogger on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

offendedblogger — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:22:57 -0500

No, I am a greedy bitch. :)

Sylvia on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

Sylvia — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:09:59 -0500

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???

flamingpoodle on 'Do you give homeless people money?'

flamingpoodle — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:06:13 -0500

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.