Do You Ever Give Money To Panhandlers

[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!!!

[elizabethann]

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

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.

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!

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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. 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...

[moosmom]

Lizbud,

"I'll work for food" signs

What a novel idea!!!!

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.

[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.

[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.