Do You Ever Give Money To Panhandlers

**binka_nugget** · 07-24-2006, 07:44 PM

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** · 07-24-2006, 08:07 PM

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** · 07-24-2006, 10:08 PM

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** · 07-24-2006, 11:36 PM

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.

**lizbud** · 07-25-2006, 01:17 PM

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** · 07-25-2006, 02:18 PM

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** · 07-25-2006, 03:08 PM

***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.

**CathyBogart** · 07-26-2006, 01:48 PM

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.

**GreyhoundGirl** · 07-26-2006, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by CathyBogart

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 !!!!

I'm proud of you. I would have ran away if someone hit my dog, too.

**Danegirl2208** · 07-27-2006, 01:10 AM

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