Do You Ever Give Money To Panhandlers

[lizbud]

They sure seem to be everywhere these days. In shopping centers, and
malls to standing at stop lights with "I'll work for food" signs.

[JenBKR]

I don't see too many around where I live, but when I go into Pittsburgh for an event or something I do see a lot of them. Usually I give them money, but some of them look like they'll just take the money and go to the closest liquer store, so I'm a bit iffy about it. I will go get them some food sometimes too.

[kuhio98]

No, I don't. I do give money to shelters who feed, house and clothe the homeless. That way I know the money went for a good cause and not to buy alcohol, cigarettes or porn.

A guy at the shopping mall had a sign saying he would work for food. I asked him if he would help me clean my windows. No, I can't get on ladders.
I asked him if he would help me mow the lawn. No, I have a bad back.
I asked him if I could buy him a sandwich. He said he'd rather have the cash. I walked away. Evidently he wouldn't work for food.

[cocker_luva]

i never have; I feel bad for them, but always stop to wonder how they got in that position in the first place.

[BOBS DAD]

Yes I do. I don't know what to say about it or what the "solution" is. I don't always though. I guess it depends on the situation - like if the light stops me near enough to them that I don't have to call them over or get out of mu car. Also, if I have some money with me. If I have a $20.00 only, then I won't. But if I have a few bucks somewhere I will.

I have told me kids my philosophy on it (for whatever it is worth). If they are desperate enough and willing to beg, then I should be willing to give them a few dollars when I have it.

About the notion of them actually being "RICH - pretty far fetched but I sometimes hear people say this", I still figure - when I gave of myself, I thought I was helping someone down and out and less fortuneate - the fact that they may have "tricked" me DOES NOT change my act of charity.

Same goes for CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. If I give believing that they are doing good (and they really are not), it DOES NOT change what I did and my motivations.

[caseysmom]

There's a homeless guy that sits outside one of the grocery stores around here. I buy him dinner and he gladly accepts the food. The clerks in the store say he won't accept money. He is truly down on his luck, even went to college and is trying to save up money to move back east where he is from. She said he had a lot of problems with his family but he is always very nice and has never once asked for anything from us.

[JenBKR]

Bobs dad - you are so right. The acts of charity are done out of the kindness of your heart, and I guess we should trust that the money is being used for good. What's scary is how easy it is for someone to end up on the streets. So many people live paycheck to paycheck, if one little thing happens they can loose everything. So sad.....

[jackie]

No, the last time I gave a guy money in Vancouver, he turned around and bought crack, right in front of my eyes. Never again.

Now when I am home for Christmas, I usually toss a few granola bars or oranges in my purse, but I will never give out cash.

[BOBS DAD]

No, the last time I gave a guy money in Vancouver, he turned around and bought crack, right in front of my eyes. Never again.

Now when I am home for Christmas, I usually toss a few granola bars or oranges in my purse, but I will never give out cash.

WOW... that would be a real turnoff I agree.

Where is Gran Canaria. My daughter, Sarah is in Spain and will be until Wednesday. I guess she has been in Barcelonia, Madrid and somewhere now - I don't exactly know.

Has she been around your neck of the woods??? Her name is Sarah... I'm sure you would remember if you saw her - she's the one with the IPOD!!! LOL!!!

[elizabethann]

No.

[BOBS DAD]

No.

ELIZABETH!!!!!! My... you are being rather outspoken and extremely "wordy" this AM! LOL!!!

[sparks19]

I don't. Usually because I never have cash. but There was one corner where I used to live and there would be a different guy there every week with a sign that says homeless and hungry please help and they were dressed better than I was. I saw a guy with brand new Nike shoes on, a columbia jacket, Nice new looking jeans, he was clean shaven and his hair was clean and trimmed. I just CAN'T bring myself to believe that this person needs food. perhaps they could have bought cheaper shoes or a cheaper jacket. I mean I can't even afford that stuff but I am not out on a street corner asking for food.

They did a news story about panhandlers and how much money they make on average. I don't know how reliable it was because... well... it's the news lol but it was more than I make in a week.

[elizabethann]

ELIZABETH!!!!!! My... you are being rather outspoken and extremely "wordy" this AM! LOL!!!


:D Sorry. But I just don't give money to panhandlers. I don't even give money to the bell ringers outside of stores at Christmas time (I'm probably going to hell for that one).

I will, however, contribute to the local soup kitchen and have volunteered there on many occasions.

[Ginger's Mom]

I used to, but not any more. I wouldn't mind being "tricked" by someone who has the money or ability to work. But I would mind contributing to habits or vices that keep a person down, and that is what I am afraid would happen. Giving someone on the street food is fine, but giving them a way to remain there is not.

[Glacier]

I do, but only if they are doing something. There is an old guy here who sits on a corner regularly and picks his guitar. He is not a good guitar player, but he's trying to do something! I always throw a couple bucks in his cup.

When I lived in Calgary, there was a newspaper that homeless people could sell. Instead of asking for money, you could buy a paper for whatever amount you felt like giving. I had a favorite young man I always bought mine from. Depending on my own financial situation at the time, I often overpaid alot for that paper!

[Maresche]

When I lived in Calgary, there was a newspaper that homeless people could sell. Instead of asking for money, you could buy a paper for whatever amount you felt like giving. I had a favorite young man I always bought mine from. Depending on my own financial situation at the time, I often overpaid alot for that paper!

In Cleveland we have the same set up. We only give $ to those selling the paper and we overpay too. Otherwise, we offer to buy food, but if they turn that down, we walk away.

[catnapper]

No way. I once gave a guy some fruit on my way home from work in Philly (his sign said he needed food) and he tossed it on the ground. Then a few weeks later, the news ran a big expose on the panhandlers, and my fruit dude was one they showed.... they showed what he does with the money for "food" Last I heard, Jack Daniels was not food. :rolleyes:

Also, there's a famous case where a woman was panhandling in Atlantic City. She was there for years, talking about her poor starving children. They went to Princeton, thanks to the generousity of all the gamblers she told her sad tale to. She made a fortune begging on the boarwalk! :eek:

[Alysser]

I do to the people who look trust worthy. No, I don't just look at people and think I can trust them not to buy drugs,drinks,ect. But if they have children I do. Once in Washington there was a guy with a dog and the dog was very skinny. It was the guys and he said he wanted to buy food for the dog. I knew he did because after a while the man went inside a petstore. It really was nice to see someone care about his pet more then himself. He didn't look at his best, let me tell you.

[dogzr#1]

Not usually. Sometimes we do, but most of the people look really well dressed and so you can asume that they will use if for drugs or beer or something. We once gave some money to a man that only had one leg. Couple days or a week later, we saw him at Golden Corra, an all you can eat buffet that costs around $10 per person. He looked like he was dressed better than me! So now we are wary around the people who beg for money. We usually give money to those with children, who you can tell don't eat or bathe often.

[IRescue452]

I've only seen homeless people on the street once or twice in our area, in my life. We have plenty of shelters here that are rarely full, so if they are truely in need, they'll find my money there.

[Kfamr]

No.

But, if they are sitting infront of a grocery store or I'm on my way to a fast food place, I'll buy a burger, water bottle, or something of that sort. There's not too many in my area, though. A few cities south of us is where they all are.

[Flatcoatluver]

No, we donate to the ark and other places but we don't give it to them directly.

I feel terrible for the kids on the streets standing by their mother and their mother begging for money. I know my grandmother tried to help that lady but all she wanted was money. My grandmother offered to buy them food, the lady said no and the child started to cry.

[critter crazy]

NO! I sed to all the time but while sitting in my car waiting for hubby to come back, i sat and watched a man pan handle, then go into an alley , come back out 10 min. later in a nice suit and jump into a SUV! I have been turned off by them since! I contribute to shelters and such, and will continue that, but no more money to people on the street!

[jazzcat]

Nope. When hubby worked in downtown Nashville he and a coworker decided to be nice and buy a panhandler a hamburger and coke one day and the guy got mad and threw it in the trash. He just wanted money.

What really makes me mad is to see people with signs standing at the off ramp from the interstate near my house who have their dogs with them in 90+ degree heat in the horrible sun. There is no shade and I never see anything for water for the dogs. If they want to cook themselves fine but give the dog a break! On top of that a local tv station decided to watch one of these off ramp panhandlers and after standing out in the sun collecting money all day from people stuck at the red light she walks over to a nearby gas station, gets in her car and drives home to a nice neighborhood. GGRRRR! :mad: :mad:

[GreyhoundGirl]

i never have; I feel bad for them, but always stop to wonder how they got in that position in the first place.

I couldn't agree more. I only saw one when I was on vacation in the states. I don't see many here. That's probably because were I live, if people want money...They smuggle goods. There is so much smuggling here.... You would be SHOCKED ! :eek:

[catland]

No - pretty much for all the reasons listed. The people working the freeway off-ramps are "professionals" - they consider this to be their occupation.

I stick with charities.

[binka_nugget]

It depends. There was a guy around here that never asked for money, but was obviously homeless. He just sat by the street, waving and yelling out "Have a nice day!" I would have given money if he was still there when I finally had extra cash to spare.

When I worked in the mall, I often got off work at 12:30am. As I waited for my ride, I'd get asked for money 9/10 times. I gave money the first time.. because I gave him the benefit of the doubt. But after a while, I was pretty sure he wasn't homeless. He was always clean shaven, did not have any odor, wore clean clothes (they looked old.. but any thrift store will have old clothes available) and he ALWAYS said he had "two ninety-five". Never a penny more or less. After that, I never spoke to him.. I'd always have my music blasting and I'd just stare at him not saying a word. :p But one day he asked again, and I yelled out "I @#)$(*&#% gave you money before. You had $2.95 that day too". Ohh.. the look on his face... :D

[carole]

For me it depends also, we don't see that much of it in my city, but yes they are there, we have a reasonable welfare system in my country so i don't see why these people have to beg myself, however some kids and adults do busking to raise funds for a school trip or whatever and if i have a few dollars spare which is rare i probably would give them something for their efforts.

We have people on the roads who want to clean your windscreen at the lights, they hope to get some money from you,however it is dangerous for them and illegal but they still do it, i figure at least they are getting off their butts trying to earn something,mind you some people take the cleaning on offer and give nothing, that is just plain mean spirited IMO.

Like many others i would prefer to give to the salvation army and places like that who help out the homeless and poor and at least you know the money is going where it is needed,but again it really depends, one if i have any money on me, and i rarely carry cash and just who is begging for it,sometimes my heart just melts and i will give if i think i need to.

[G535]

I'm not sure if begging is legal here, I haven't seen anyone around my area doing it.

My money only goes to animal charities, our welfare system more than pays for anyone else. :)

[CagneyDog]

Yes, everytime I have spare change I do. Honestly, even if they are going to go buy booze I don't really care. They're going to get the booze anyways, so may as well let them do it correctly.

[moosmom]

Lizbud,


"I'll work for food" signs

What a novel idea!!!! :eek: :eek:

Since I've been looking for full time work for over 6 months, maybe THAT'S what I should do!!!!

I do not give money to panhandlers. I do offer to buy them a meal. Onetime I was in NYC and a panhandler asked me for money. I offered him my fruit yogurt and he got REAAAAALLYY pissed at me. He screamed at me, "I need MONEY, not your damned yogurt!!" Oh well, his loss.

[lizbud]

The first time I was approached by a panhandler was in the PetsMart parking lot.This guy said his car had run out of gas & he needed a few
dollars to get some. Said he had left his wife & kids in the car down the
street. The thought of the wife & small kids in a car stuck in traffic like that
made me sympathetic & I gave the guy a few dollars.

Only when I saw him again the next week with the same tired excuse for
money did I realize it was a scam. I never gave anyone money after that.

[k9krazee]

No, I never have. But, I have volunteered at the soup kitchen for the homeless many times, and I also make Christmas cookies each year and give them to the Red Cross.

[gini]

***This is NoahsMommy, NOT Gini***

I'll give food/drinks, but NOT money. There are sooooo many programs and governmentally funded housing/jobs/etc. for them to take advantage of.

I've often givin out food, but that's it.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I don't because usually I'm by myself and I don't trust them not to hurt me or something. We don't have many here because our police will take them to the Red Cross and get them some help, if they really need it. The ones who really need help seem grateful, the ones who are just mooching, move on to greener pastures.

[Sevaede]

I do not.

I don't have money to spare. Period. We have enough to take care of ourselves and our (fur)babies. Most of the people I have encountered have been like the aforementioned "pros". I've talked to some folks who panhandle and they said they've made several HUNDRED dollars in a sitting (spanning a few hours.).

[kitten645]

Never.

I work in SF and between the train and the two blocks to my office I run a gamaut thru 10-12 VERY aggressive panhandlers. I've seen reports that more than half of these "homeless" are so as a matter of personal preference or "lifestyle". :rolleyes:

In addition most of these people have an animal of some sort for the sympathy factor. This pisses me off most. If you can't take care of yourself fine, but it's not the animals fault. I have give some of these people kibble for the cat or dog.

I've also seen a van load of people dropped off in the financial district with a few taking each street first thing in the morning. Then picked up at night! :eek:

What a nice operation!

[CathyBogart]

Yes, though I like to chat with people before I decide to give them money or anything else. It also depends on where. In San Francisco - Heck no! The place and the people are too scary for me.

Santa Cruz though....There are a lot of homeless in Santa cruz, though not as many as in SF. I like to talk to some of the people who live underneath the pier on the beach and spend their days fishing. There's a lady there whose husband was really abusive and she ran away when he started to hit her beautiful pit bull, so I try to bring her money and a can of dog food. Last time I gave $5 to a homeless couple and the woman cried because they could BOTH buy a Subway sandwich for that much.

I know some people are out to buy alcohol or rip you off, but I'm willing to give people the benefit of the doubt.

[lv4dogs]

I do... that is if I have the money & if I have a feeling that it will be spent on things other than booze (even if I have a hunch that they will spend only part of it on booze but part on something else that is needed, I'll still give it). I usually chat with them for a while or the like to get a feel for them.

This is hard to type but it made me who I am today. I am not proud of it but again it made who I am today.
I lived on the streets before, more than once. A few times before I was even out of high school. My father and I did not have the best relationship back then. Only one of the times was it by choice or at least partially by choice. I moved out of state with an ex b/f about 9 years ago, who said we could find a house. Well we never found a house so we were homeless.
I have had to beg for money for food, dog food (Nanook was with me), personal items, etc.. and let me tell you if the person beggin for food has any morals then they will feel ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE asking for money. I know I did. I HATED HATED HATED it but I could not get any help from any organization. With no home to change clothes, take a shower at, etc... there were no job opportunities. It was a ROUGH life and I tried my hardest to get on my feet but it was near impossible without some help from someone.

[GreyhoundGirl]

Santa Cruz though....There are a lot of homeless in Santa cruz, though not as many as in SF. I like to talk to some of the people who live underneath the pier on the beach and spend their days fishing. There's a lady there whose husband was really abusive and she ran away when he started to hit her beautiful pit bull, so I try to bring her money and a can of dog food. Last time I gave $5 to a homeless couple and the woman cried because they could BOTH buy a Subway sandwich for that much.



Good for you !!!! :D I'm proud of you. I would have ran away if someone hit my dog, too.

[Danegirl2208]

i'll give spare change once in a while, but honestly i dont know the person, they could be using it for the wrong reasons, which is only going to make their situation worst.. i live in Arizona, the summer heat is HORRID, there are always heat stroke deaths during these months a good number of them being homeless people.. i buy the big boxes of bottled water at sams club and keep a few bottles in the car, i am more than willing to give them water..and in this heat..water is a MUST

[bckrazy]

It depends. :)

I go to San Francisco at least a few times a month... and that is basically the bum capitol of the country! You literally cannot walk a single block, anywhere, without encountering several people asking for money. It can get tiring, when I know there are countless shelters in the city and places to work... and especially because many are *clearly* high on something! I'm not going to give you money when you're scaring me, and offering me used chapstick for money (this has happened more than once!).

Me and my friends did meet a really nice person in SF a few weeks ago, who was without a home at that time. He came up and asked if he could bum a cig, which my friend Courtney did give him some, because he was genuinely appreciative and not scary! We had no idea he was homeless until he told us, and he was staying at a shelter that fed, water, clothed, & deoderized them. ^^ He was from New Orleans, moved to LA and did construction, and when he lost his job he and his 2 friends moved to SF to try to find a job in the area. There definitely are truly needy, good people out there... but there are also plenty of whack-jobs, who would honestly do better without people handing them change.

I was "scammed", I guess you could call it, and it really hurt my feelings. I was at Starbucks, that has a hotel right next door, and a lady with her son came up (with a cane...) telling us that she was behind on her hotel bill. So we both gave her $20. We came the next weekend, and guess who was there? The guy at Starbucks said she loiters every weekend for money, and does not stay at that hotel. It just is kind of sad, I cannot imagine what her poor son has to see & go through... and you have to think - it takes so much energy & social ability to kindly ask people for money and explain your situation - so why not put all of the time and energy into a legit job? I dunno...

[areias]

There is a lady that rides around my local walmart area, in a motorized scooter with a wagon that has a 75-100lb Rottweiler mix dog in it. She has a sign that says "Homeless, Please Help, Dog Is Hungry". I know she is homeless..I camped at the local park and saw her there under a tarp, with about 100 knick knacks set up around there on plastic shelves? Set up in the middle of the woods. First thing, please find a home for the dog, where you know he'll be fed, if you're worried about him going hungry. Second, stop spending your f***ing money on a MOTORIZED SCOOTER, it is not a wheel chair, it is for recreation. I would love one myself! Third, no offense to anyone that is pleasantly plump, but she is a very large lady and I have no idea how she keeps herself that large being 'homeless'. Maybe the dog is hungry because she eats all his dog food? lmao, sorry it may sound mean but I don't understand.

That said, normally I will give some loose change or maybe a dollar or two, after I talk to the person and get a feel for them, but I prefer to give them food. I remember talking to one guy in St. Pete, who played REALLY good guitar and looked like hank jr...I was gonna give him a few bucks but I noticed he had a leather briefcase and a can of beer behind him, and even pulled out a joint and started smoking in front of me and my friend.

[jackie]

There is a lady that rides around my local walmart area, in a motorized scooter with a wagon that has a 75-100lb Rottweiler mix dog in it. She has a sign that says "Homeless, Please Help, Dog Is Hungry". I know she is homeless..I camped at the local park and saw her there under a tarp, with about 100 knick knacks set up around there on plastic shelves? Set up in the middle of the woods. First thing, please find a home for the dog, where you know he'll be fed, if you're worried about him going hungry. Second, stop spending your f***ing money on a MOTORIZED SCOOTER, it is not a wheel chair, it is for recreation. I would love one myself! Third, no offense to anyone that is pleasantly plump, but she is a very large lady and I have no idea how she keeps herself that large being 'homeless'. Maybe the dog is hungry because she eats all his dog food? lmao, sorry it may sound mean but I don't understand.

The scooter may have been a donation, and they are not usually for recreation. If she is really large, it is probably the only way she can get around. I can't really see an obese person being able to wheel themselves about in a traditional wheelchair.

I don't like seeing homeless people with animals either, but I do understand it. It must be a very lonely life, and they probably need all the companionship they can get.

[catnapper]

stop spending your f***ing money on a MOTORIZED SCOOTER, it is not a wheel chair, it is for recreation. I would love one myself! Third, no offense to anyone that is pleasantly plump, but she is a very large lady and I have no idea how she keeps herself that large being 'homeless'. Maybe the dog is hungry because she eats all his dog food? lmao, sorry it may sound mean but I don't understand.
.
Wow, how utterly sarcastic. Like someone else said, that scooter might be the only way she can get around, and might be the only big thing she actually owns from her life of NOT being homeless. She might still have some pride and take good care of her scooter and her dog.

As for being overweight and homeless... more than likely she is overweight because of being homeless. It is far, FAR cheaper to feed herself on a $1 worth of junk food than it is to get a whole meal. You eat the quick and cheap junk food, the hunger pangs go away. Meanwhile you gain a ton of weight because the last time you has any true protein or whole grains was too long ago to remember. Look at how McDonals, Burger King, and Wendy's now have a $1 menu. You can get "Whole meals" for $2 (a sandwich and fries) You can actually feed yourself for $5 a day. Then do the same thing with $2 worth of Purina Dog Chow for the pup.

[CathyBogart]

There is a lady that rides around my local walmart area, in a motorized scooter with a wagon that has a 75-100lb Rottweiler mix dog in it. She has a sign that says "Homeless, Please Help, Dog Is Hungry". I know she is homeless..I camped at the local park and saw her there under a tarp, with about 100 knick knacks set up around there on plastic shelves? Set up in the middle of the woods. First thing, please find a home for the dog, where you know he'll be fed, if you're worried about him going hungry. Second, stop spending your f***ing money on a MOTORIZED SCOOTER, it is not a wheel chair, it is for recreation. I would love one myself! Third, no offense to anyone that is pleasantly plump, but she is a very large lady and I have no idea how she keeps herself that large being 'homeless'. Maybe the dog is hungry because she eats all his dog food? lmao, sorry it may sound mean but I don't understand.

Wow, isn't that sensitive? First, if she really is that obese, she probably needs the scooter to get around. She probably remains so large because she uses the money she can get to buy high-calorie, fattening foods, and frankly, if you don't know where your next meal is going to come from it just makes more sense to go that route.

As for her dog...if it looks underweight or poorly cared-for, call your local animal control or Humane Society and report it. Maybe you can get her companion and guardian taken away from her. If he is cared for...why should she have to re-home him? There are enough low-cost veterinary clinics in most places that someone who truly cares abhout their pet can usually get good vet care for them.

[BOBS DAD]

There is a lady that rides around my local walmart area, in a motorized scooter with a wagon that has a 75-100lb Rottweiler mix dog in it. She has a sign that says "Homeless, Please Help, Dog Is Hungry"... etc., etc...

All I can say to this is "you're young". Wait until life deals you an unpleasant blow!

As far as people not really being homeless, making good money, professional panhandlers - I can understand and appreciate everyone's take on these fronts. Personally, I do not have the time or energy to try and figure out if they are "needy or not". Anyways, they are certainly not "getting rich" on me. As I said, I don't always give money - it is more like occasionally. I try to remember to give a little if I have some smaller notes on me. But that's just me.

And for those who simply have no compassion at all - no tolerance or a complete lack of understanding - I say listen to BOB DILLON'S "ROLLING STONE"... Yeah... how does it feel... to be without a home

[RICHARD]

I stopped giving to politicians. :confused:

[lbaker]

By the way Bobs Dad, it's Bob Dylan ;)

[BC_MoM]

No, never. They all have a equal chance of getting a job if they really wanted one, in my opinion. I feel sorry for them, but I'm not going to encourage them being poor and homeless. If they want money to live, they can work for it. There's something out there for everyone.

My teacher used to give them sandwhiches or salads, etc. if she ever found one bothering her for money. She never gave them money.

[K9soul]

No, never. They all have a equal chance of getting a job if they really wanted one, in my opinion. I feel sorry for them, but I'm not going to encourage them being poor and homeless. If they want money to live, they can work for it. There's something out there for everyone.

That is a very broad statement and not always true at all.

Personally I never see them here where I live although there are probably more in the Twin Cities, but if I were to help someone I'd probably buy them food rather than hand them money. It would really depend on the situation and my gut instinct at the time.

[Vela]

Well that's not entirely true, many peole end up homeless through a seris of unfortunate events, many have mental illnesses, and most places won't hire you if you look homeless, which they are, and have no home address. It's not easy for someone who has nothing nice to get to a job interveiw presentable to obtain a job, and honestly, without a home address, chances of getting hired are almost nil. There are some cheaters and not truly homless peopel who panhandle, but there are also some truly needy people out there who need help. I give what I can when I can when I see them in need. Sometimes money, sometimes food, I once gave 50 dollars to a man in a wheelchair who had no legs and two kids with him. If he was not really in need that is not my problem, he appeared to be so I gave what I could. He cried and thanked me, so I will be happy enough with that. I don't need to try to figure out who is truly in need an who isn't, someone else can sort that out, but if by doing what i can when i can, if I can help even one person who really needs it, then that's good enough for me.

[lizbud]

By the way Bobs Dad, it's Bob Dylan ;)


I knew that. :p Great song:D

[BOBS DAD]

By the way Bobs Dad, it's Bob Dylan ;)

I knew that!!! LOL! ARE YOU EVER TYPING BETWEEN "what you should be doing at work" - and you have a mental block. I typed it several times and knew it looked wrong!!! LOL! But heah... Once upon a time you dressed so fine... You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?...

Youve gone to the finest school all right, miss lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out youre gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
Hes not selling any alibis...
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And ask him do you want to make a deal?

OKAY... I spelled his name wrong... SO SUE ME!!!

[RICHARD]

Back in 99 I worked with my brother for the summer. I quit my job, payed off all my bills and went bohemian.

During that time money was short. So living paycheck to paycheck was a challenge. We found every place that sold three tacos for a buck, 99 cent cheeseburgers and all the rest.

At the beginning of the summer we were hashing out how to spend the 6 or 7 bucks we had on lunch.....Well that bought us three giant cheeseburgers a giant order of fries -we stockpiled cokes and stuff to drink during the day so we were all set.

As we sat in the truck the last burger was calling my name....so I asked Mike if he was still hungry, He said, "no, but save it....."

Hokay...we headed home and as we drove thru Griffith Park he pulled over to the curb, got out of the car with the burger and a few cans of Coke.

He walked over to a guy with his dog at a picnic table, handed the burger and pop to him, said a few words to him and came back to the truck.

I told him that was really neat, thinking about this guy.


I asked him who he was.

I don't know..

You don't know?

My brother never got his name or what he was all about...but he took the time to buy extra food and stop to give it to the guy. We did that for most of that summer.

I am more apt to give a guy something to eat, than to reach into my pocket for change....

Money or food?


It's all giving.

[lbaker]

"How does it feeeel, to be own your own, with no direction home, like a complete unknown.."

[CathyBogart]

No, never. They all have a equal chance of getting a job if they really wanted one, in my opinion. I feel sorry for them, but I'm not going to encourage them being poor and homeless. If they want money to live, they can work for it. There's something out there for everyone.


Yep, because if you have no home to shower in, you can sure find another way to clean up and look presentable for a job interview. Easy.

If you have nowhere to feel safe at night, you can find another way to get a good night's sleep and be able to focus.

If you have to spend a good chunk of your day scraping together enough to survive another day you can just generate a few extra hours to go job hunting.

If you can't afford nice clothes, you can just what...steal some to wear to an interview?

If you don't have a phone, you can just figure out a way for prospective employers to contact you.

If people turn up their nose at the very sight of you, it's HARD TO GET A JOB. Chat with some homeless folks sometime, talk to them about their job-hunting endeavours. It's like climbing an avalanche, and while some people manage to do it, some are never going to manage it and for some people it will take years of effort.

People always go on abot how "mommyhood" is a full-time job, but most people don't seem to realize that when you have nothing, SURVIVING is a much more challenging full-time job.

[JenBKR]

but most people don't seem to realize that when you have nothing, SURVIVING is a much more challenging full-time job.

YES so true.....I am really surprised at some of the responses here, I have to say :(

[bckrazy]

In my experience, I have known kids who ran away and were homeless for a short while. This could be completely different in other cities, but in almost any big city in Cali, there are tons of homeless shelters. They feed them, clothe them, set them up for job interviews, etc.. and not in ratty clothing, in nice clothing!

I think it's just as sad to think of homeless people as hopeless as it is to think of them as lazy.

I know from personal experience with really close friends, that there IS a system to fall back on in this country (in most areas). It isn't perfect. But much of the time the fact is, it's easier to sit around and ask for money than it is to get up and get clothing & food, become free of drugs, and add to society. I really feel for people who are briefly in a bad time in their lives, and I understand that. But to actually LIVE for an extended period of time on the street, means something to me. It means this person either needs mental help, or is doing drugs/alcohol, because shelters do not tolerate druggies and won't hand out money.

[carole]

In NZ we have a good enough welfare system IMO to make sure most people are not totally going without, i do however appreciate there are certain circumstances that no matter what, people do end up living on the streets, however having said that we have young ones who just do not like the rules at home, up and leave and become homeless, IMO they are choosing this lifestyle,and my empathy is somewhat not to easy to give in these situations,but again each individual situation is different and we should not always be so quick to judge, one never knows when the shoe might be on the other foot as we say here, in other words when you yourself could face being just that homeless, it can happen to anyone from any walk of life, i think if we keep that in mind one can always find a few cents to spare to help those less well off than ourselves.

[BOBS DAD]

In my experience, I have known kids who ran away and were homeless for a short while. This could be completely different in other cities, but in almost any big city in Cali, there are tons of homeless shelters. They feed them, clothe them, set them up for job interviews, etc.. and not in ratty clothing, in nice clothing!

I think it's just as sad to think of homeless people as hopeless as it is to think of them as lazy.

I know from personal experience with really close friends, that there IS a system to fall back on in this country (in most areas). It isn't perfect. But much of the time the fact is, it's easier to sit around and ask for money than it is to get up and get clothing & food, become free of drugs, and add to society. I really feel for people who are briefly in a bad time in their lives, and I understand that. But to actually LIVE for an extended period of time on the street, means something to me. It means this person either needs mental help, or is doing drugs/alcohol, because shelters do not tolerate druggies and won't hand out money.

bc...
you speak from "your experience" which is certainly valuable. But you should also consider that at the tender age of 18, your experience is often somewhat limited. And yes, society often reaches out and makes a greater effort to turn around the lives of our young people who have gone astray. It only makes sense... for many reasons. First off, they haven't strayed too far from beaten path for too long to be considered "a lost cause". Secondly, it is in society's interest to correct a rightable wrong, given that a lifelong investment in social welfare and perhaps incarceration (jail) is far more expensive than wayward youth programs and job training.

But a middle aged man/woman, or a family displaced, dysfunctional and uneducated is another matter! And yes... oftentimes they "are mentally impaired as well" - this only makes matters worse and even less appealing to the established existing programs. I used to wish that "somebody" would take care of these people. I mean GOD, they are just difficult to even "see" let alone interact with. Then I grew older and saw more of life and realized "I am 'somebody'".

[K9soul]

The deinstitutionalization acts (I think in the 70s?) put a lot of mentally disabled and ill people onto the streets, the government would no longer pay for their uptake as long as they didn't seem an outright danger to society. My brain is a bit foggy but I remember my psych professor in college talking a lot about this, and how it ended up that a lot of the homeless that live in the streets and continue to do so for so long are often mentally ill and disabled. Of course not all, there is no blanket statement that can be said one way or the other in my opinion, but shelters and services often have limits on how long a person can use them, so mentally disabled are kinda SOL unless they are considered bad enough or dangerous enough to be in a mental ward..

Just a something to consider. My great uncle received a head wound in WWII and had been somewhat mentally disabled since then. If he hadn't had his mother around to house and take care of him he may have been one of those out on the streets.

Just one perspective on it: http://www.interactivist.net/housing/deinstitutionalization_1.html

[AbbyMom]

The deinstitutionalization acts (I think in the 70s?) put a lot of mentally disabled and ill people onto the streets, the government would no longer pay for their uptake as long as they didn't seem an outright danger to society.

Exactly right! My college friend was working for the State of Ohio during the Reagon administration with the institutions for the mentally disabled when the funds were cut. She transferred to another job, but those in the institutions...well they went out on the streets. Hundreds of them.

Most of them were schizophrenic and needed daily medications to cope. Without a support mechanism, they wouldn't take their meds.

Unless their families were willing to take on this daily burden, their mental illness overcame them ...most of them became homeless quickly and were reduced to panhandling.

These people are not runaways. They will never be able to hold a job.

I think they deserve our compassion. You may decide to withhold your change, but think...


...there but for the grace of God go I.

You don't have to be religious to understand that part of the difference between any Pet Talker and a panhandler is not necessarily under anyone's control. One does not choose to be mentally ill nor can one choose a caring family.

~

[lv4dogs]

I've been following this thread closely.

I have been there & done it, not that I am proud of it like I said before but each & every response affects me in some way. I'd love to reply to almost every post on this thread but I can't. Not only does it hurt (not all of it hurts though), but it would take too long. :p I want to say a BIG thank you to those of you that are not "bashing" the homeless in one way or another.


I don't like seeing homeless people with animals either, but I do understand it. It must be a very lonely life, and they probably need all the companionship they can get.
You couldn't be more right. As long as the animal is well cared for I have no problems with a homeless persona having a companion.


Here's a serious quote (with a little bit of humor at the end)
Don't judge a person until you walk a mile in their shoes; that way, you'll be a mile away, and you'll have their shoes - Frieda Norris.

[Cataholic]

WOW! Some of these responses are a bit surprising. I do like that saying, "there but for the grace of God, go I".

Some of these responses remind me of the argument you hear in domestic violence cases, and the battered woman (usually woman) situation. Maybe these women just like the abuse??? CAUSE, if they DIDN'T like it, they would have left the situation long ago, right?

Life just isn't that simple.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

No, never. They all have a equal chance of getting a job if they really wanted one, in my opinion. I feel sorry for them, but I'm not going to encourage them being poor and homeless. If they want money to live, they can work for it. There's something out there for everyone.
I disagree that the world is a land of equal opportunity. First of all, if that were the case, why would we need programs like affirmative action to help socially underprivaleged groups? Secondly, who is going to hire a bum off the street with no address and probably no references or clean clothes? Once you are in a position like that, it is very hard to change. People can become that way through poor choices, say a bad drug habit, but I find it seriously hard to judge people based on a few poor choices, probably that started when they were young.

I give money to panhandlers sometimes, depending on whether or not I have any cash. Like, last week I got an unexpected check in the mail and later that day some lady came up to me asking for bus fare- I figured I might as well believe her and share $2. Who knows, if I had made different choices in life or had a long string of bad luck, that could have been me.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

If people turn up their nose at the very sight of you, it's HARD TO GET A JOB. Chat with some homeless folks sometime, talk to them about their job-hunting endeavours. It's like climbing an avalanche, and while some people manage to do it, some are never going to manage it and for some people it will take years of effort.

Exactly! In this economy, it's hard to find a job even if you are educated and have never had any problems. I can't imagine how hard it would be to face so many obastacles. Not only do you have to face logistics (no address, phone, or possibly recent job history) you have to face a stereotype that says you are lazy and worthless.

[gini]

Although I do give money to Panhandlers I come across weekly, I have found another way to contribute aside from cash to someone on the street.

We have an organization called Hope Net. They encourage you NOT to give money to people on the street - but to give them a voucher for their organization. Hope Net will then help them in the way they might need the most, a place to sleep, food, a chance to take a shower. Through our Rotary Club we are asked to provide food for them. Several times a year we collect cans of food and we are asked to provide pop top cans of tuna, or soup - healthy food that can be easily opened without a can opener. Peanut butter is another request. Whenever we have these drives, I find myself spending way more than a buck or two to a panhandler - by buying dozens of cans of food or jars of peanut butter. (there is an emphasis on nutrition).

Another organization probably not many know about is NEW DIRECTIONS. It is an organization and building on the Veterans Administration property - although it is not directly affiliated with any government organization.
They are actively searching out veterans every day in Los Angeles - by finding them under bridges, on corners, anywhere they live as a homeless person. Their mission is to rehabilitate the veteran by getting him or her off of drugs, alcohol and the ultimate goal is for the veteran to leave with
A. A JOB
B. AN APARTMENT
C. CLOTHING
D. $2,000 IN SAVINGS

They have an amazing success rate - because they don't back down - they are there every step of the way.

Just this week we had another drive - to provide those in rehabilitation with some basic stuff - soap - toothpaste - toothbrushes - deodorant - socks.
Again, you wouldn't believe the mound of these products that were brought in to donate to NEW DIRECTIONS. And our organization is just a middle class group of people - no one is wealthy. I think there is such a great response because we all know - our money is being well spent - not cash
for perhaps more booze.

On the premises they have a cooking school - and they have opened a diner on the grounds - serving great food at a reasonable price. They also do catering - and we found out how good they are - they gave us way too much food (which we paid for, of course). But we went back to them and told them their portions were too generous.

They also have an outstanding choir which you can hire - but all of the money goes back to help their buddies in re-hab.

What is perhaps most frightening of all is that there is a prediction that there will be a huge uptick in homeless once our men and women return from Iraq.
These men and women walk "in the front line" every day - never knowing when or where there will be another explosion or suicide bomber. So they are returning not only physically damaged, but also mentally damaged.

We are not prepared in any way to deal with the numbers of people that will be needing help badly.

[Lady's Human]

I don't give money directly to panhandlers, as the only one I ever see around home is about as homeless as I am. We do, however, give to the church, and our church supports a mission for the homeless that is taking root in our area. They advocate for the homeless, find them places to live, and work with other charities to get them jobs and treatment for whatever problems they might have.

The truly homeless around Central NY are fairly invisible. People were complaining about the homeless living by the river in downtown Binghamton, so the city council passed a law banning anyone from being by the river at night. :rolleyes:

[lizbud]

I'm probabyly a terrible person for thinking this but, I feel myself siding with
this church and not this young woman.Generosity does wear out.


Speaking of homeless

--------------------
Church tells Katrina mom it's time to go
--------------------

Palatine congregation wants woman, her 3 kids to move on; she says they
gave her to Dec. 31

By Richard Wronski
Tribune staff reporter

August 4, 2006

Moved by the plight of a single mother who appeared on Oprah Winfrey's
show last year to tell of losing her home to Hurricane Katrina, members
of a Palatine church invited her to live rent-free in their parsonage.

St. Paul United Church of Christ has hosted Keisha Moran, 23, and her
children since last September, providing them with the means for
starting a new life--including donations of clothing, furniture, food and even
a car. But the church now says it is time for Moran and her three
children--ages 5, 1 1/2 and 4 months--to leave and get on with life on their
own.

"Our commitment was to provide housing for you and to give you an
opportunity to become self-sufficient after the losses you experienced from
Hurricane Katrina," the church's Executive Council told Moran in a
letter. The council said that it is time for Moran to take "the next step"
by herself.

One problem: Moran doesn't want to go. She said she is being kicked out
prematurely and for no good reason.

"I have three little kids. They don't deserve to be put out on their
behinds," she said.

Moran's predicament is similar to that of other Katrina victims who
remain unprepared to fend for themselves, say experts who have counseled
evacuees.

Although many of them have pulled their lives together, getting jobs
and adjusting to a new way of life, there are just as many who have not,
said Pam Cordier, statewide coordinator of the Illinois Department of
Human Services Katrina crisis counseling program.

"We are finding many who are stuck in limbo," Cordier said. "While a
year seems like a long time, it really isn't when you've lost everything
you've owned--especially a single woman with three children."

The most recent tally shows about 6,570 Gulf Coast evacuees still
living in Illinois, said state and federal officials. That is down from
about 8,000 who relocated here during evacuation.

With federal funds, Illinois provided crisis counseling and resources
for evacuees.

Generosity wears out

In some cities, a phenomenon known as "Katrina fatigue" has been
identified.

"In Houston, the welcome mat is not only no longer out, it's been put
through the shredder," said Shari Julian, a professor in the Department
of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Texas in
Arlington.

Although enormous amounts of money and supplies were collected for
evacuees, usually little was done to address their long-term emotional and
psychological needs, Julian said.

"We were overwhelming them with all this stuff, but we didn't figure on
what's going to happen when all this largesse is gone," she said.

Moran acknowledges a debt of gratitude to those who have helped her,
but she feels deceived by the church. She says it assured her that she
would be allowed to live in the parsonage until Dec. 31. The church has
asked her to leave by Aug. 31.

Church officials said Moran knew last year that her status would be
reviewed in June. In a July 19 letter, they told her that the church
needed to remodel the parsonage so its pastor, Rev. Michelle McNamara, can
move back in.

"The implication . . . is that in some way, shape or form we're going
to evict or throw this poor, hopeless victim on the street," McNamara
said. "Nothing could be further from the truth."

Since Moran and her children arrived in Palatine, they have received an
outpouring of community support.

The "Oprah" segment featured a pregnant Moran, her children and
boyfriend Danny Thompson living in a tent in the parking lot of a discount
store in Bay St. Louis, Miss.

Local volunteers drove to Mississippi, found the family and brought
them to Palatine. Other volunteers painted and cleaned the yellow
parsonage on Palatine Road.

In addition to food, clothing and furniture, the family received
donations; about $3,000 was raised last fall at St. Paul's "Mardi Gras of
Hope."

Moran was an administrative aide in an office for about a month last
October, but said she left after her boss lost his job. Since then, Moran
said she has focused on her children, Kaejiah, 5; Keziah, 19 months;
and Kaedin, 4 months.

Thompson, the father of Keziah and Kaedin, does not live with Moran and
can't support them at this time, she said.

Moran said it would be impossible for her to raise the several thousand
dollars needed to pack and ship her belongings to Mississippi or to pay
the security deposit and rent on a new home. Her mother lives in a
Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer in Mississippi.

McNamara said hosting the family has been "an incredible blessing." But
the church community has provided all the help and resources it could
muster over the past 11 months to help Moran get on her feet. Day care
and job opportunities have been offered, McNamara said.

"I'm certain there are thousands of people in Illinois or anywhere
across the country who, if they were given the opportunity to live
rent-free in a home the entire year and have their needs met, would seize the
opportunity and change their life in such a way that the future would be
radically different," McNamara said.

Help is still available

Other agencies are willing to help Moran immediately, McNamara said.
The not-for-profit Women in Need Growing Stronger, or WINGS, has offered
Moran and her children housing for at least six months

"My heart is breaking because we have loved this woman and her children
for an entire year and have given everything we have," McNamara said.
"We've put our needs second in order to put her needs first."

----------

[JenBKR]

I'm probabyly a terrible person for thinking this but, I feel myself siding with
this church and not this young woman.Generosity does wear out.
----------

No, I agree with you. At some point, you have to tkae care of yourself and stop depending on other people. She doesn't really even sound all that grateful for everything they have done for her, instead she is complaining that they haven't done enough :(

[dukedogsmom]

Nope. Sure don't. I'll offer to buy them some food but that's it. No money for beer, ciggs or drugs will be given by me.