Do You Ever Give Money To Panhandlers

[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.

[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!

[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 !

[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. 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...

[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.