Do You Give Money To Homeless People

[DemocratSinceBirth]

I live in suburban Orlando and when I go downtown or near some I-4 exits there are quite a few homeless people. Sometimes I will go out of my way to give them a buck or two. The other day I emptied out the change box in my car. It was a lot of change but I bet it was $5.00 or $6.00... I went to a Magic game at the Arena and must have run into three or four homeless people as I walked to my car. I'm glad I had a lot of singles.


This economy sucks but I have to believe that by being generous good things are bound to happen to me.

[grasswire]

1. yes

I'm kicking myself because several days ago a young woman was sitting outside the entrance to the local grocery. I passed her by, intending to give her something on the way back out. She wasn't there, then.

I always give something, even if I think it might be for booze or it might be a con.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. I Don't Want To Feed Someone's Addiction

But if they are that broken they still have to eat.

When I was getting out of my car I saw a man who I assumed was homeless. He was walking by but I made eye contact and gave him a couple of bucks.

My friends sometimes get on me but I don't care.

[Warpy]

13. Who died and made you their judge?

Have you ever seen untreated DTs? Untreated they're 50% fatal!

I give money to homeless people. I don't presume to tell anybody what to do with money I give them. They know what they need better than I do because I'm not walking in their shoes.

If it's a drink, that's what they need to survive. If I'm not the only person giving them money, maybe they'll have enough for a sub sandwich, too, or a pair of clean socks, or something.

It's just not my job to act as judge and jury and determine who is pious enough to live and who should be left to die.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

20. Did You Read What I Wrote

"I Don't Want To Feed Someone's Addiction. But if they are that broken they still have to eat."

[Warpy]

44. Yes I did

Feeding their addiction might be absolutely vital to keeping them alive another day.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

46. That's Why I Give Them The Money

I don't know enough about addiction. I do know what a broken person is.

[Luna_C_06]

52. When you said you assumed he was homeless

it reminded me of something that happened to a family friend. This friend is very highly educated, but he looks like a lumberjack. One day while his wife was shopping, he decided to get some fresh air and sat on a bench and took off his hat outside, where he then accidently feel asleep. When he woke up there was change in his hat.

[CreekDog]

2. i give to them through St. Anthony's, SF Food Pantry and a local housing assitance charity

I don't hand out cash to people on the streets. While that would be generous, I think I give more through my paycheck than I would hand out and that I know the money doesn't support drug and/or alcohol abuse, something I'm far from sure of if I hand it to people on the street. In fact, I'm not even sure panhandlers are homeless.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. I know most of the homeless guys I give stuff to

I drive by them every day and have gotten to know most of them well enough to know they aren't panhandlers.

[CreekDog]

21. ok

although i do think my money goes further at a place like St. Anthony's which feeds, treats and counsels thousands and does so incredibly efficiently.

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. Yes it probably does

But many homeless people refuse to go to shelters and food kitchens.

[TBF]

3. I give more to local charities, but yes if I stop at an intersection and someone's

there asking I will give them some cash if I am carrying any. I figure you never know what someone's been through, and they must be pretty desperate if they are willing to ask.

[BlueJazz]

4. I do all the time....usually 2-3 bucks.

[Mike 03]

6. I began carrying smaller denominations of cash for just this reason.

One day in September or October of last year I met a woman who could have been my mother begging for money for food in this very small town, and I knew she was the real thing. I only had a ten and that is what I gave her, and that was okay, but I knew I had to carry smaller bills. I tend to give whatever I have, which depending on how you look at it is stupid or kind, but it's just the way I am. I've been burned a lot too from giving, so I'm not one of those "give mindlessly" people, but I have a weakness in that respect.

I never say no to requests if I have anything in my wallet, and I usually feel awful if someone asks me and I don't have anything to spare.

This town is being torn apart by this economy, though, I can tell you that.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. That's What I Do

I keep my wallet in my pocket because it is dangerous to take it out but I keep a lot of singles in my front pocket.


To me the "God bless you" is worth a buck or two.

[Mike 03]

42. Yup. The "God Bless You" feels good.

The wondering about what ever happened to them is the one thing that haunts me.

[NikolaC]

7. Yes

Whenever I can and see them. It's heartbreaking.

[Skittles]

9. I give 'em phone cards

yes INDEED

[Happyhippychick]

10. Always. Last year my MIL asked me why I always give money to the guy at the intersection. I said

"because he's a human being."

[ReliantJ]

11. I might buy them a burger when I see them in SF

but I haven't been downtown in a while and there aren't many homeless around here

[Orrex]

12. I sign them up for sweet adjustable rate mortgages with no money down

That's how it's done, right?

[pnwmom]

14. Not directly. We give money to food banks and other non-profits that

serve homeless people.

Assuming you're not counting family members in trouble. We've done that in the past.

[Greyhound]

15. Always when I had it, occasionally now that I don't. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. Yes but I didn't used to until a friend told me something that still haunts me

My friend is a minister and I was walking with him one day and he handed a homeless guy a dollar. I said "Ron, do you know that a lot of these homeless guys just take that dollar to the liquor store and buy booze?"

And he said "Sure, but who am I to deprive him of a little joy in a pretty sad life?"

And he went on to tell me that not giving him money isn't going to solve the problems of alcoholism and drug abuse among the homeless.

So I always give them money now when I have it. But I also have carried bottles of water, blankets and prepaid phone cards in my car to hand the homeless.

[Boojatta]

24. "Sure, but who am I to deprive him of a little joy in a pretty sad life?"

Now I'm concerned that Christmas Carols that mention "comfort and joy" are just referring to a warm blanket and an alcoholic beverage.

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. And if they are?

It's most likely that we each have a different idea of 'comfort and joy'.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

18. Yes, and I have also bought homeless people food.

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. There is a group that hangs out at the park where we have our weekly protests against the war

and we take them food all the time. Most are veterans.

[Mnemosyne]

22. Always, and I am pretty poor, but still have a roof, so far. n/t

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

23. We give free medical care

at our Foundation. What we found has happened is that people get sick, really sick, and can't figure out the cause. First they lose their jobs, and with that any health benefits they have. Then they lose their dwelling place, and either move in with relatives or sleep in their cars. When they come to us, they have depression on top of whatever illness they have. We have a limited budget to pay for labs, and Doc says we have to bring in some paying patients so we can keep our doors open, but we have been able to help a handful of people--and to them, it means all the world! Sometimes it turns out to be a food sensitivity (relatively easy to fix), and other times a combination of malabsorption, food sensitivity, and other things. But the patients come out with hope and a smile on their face.

[MissDeeds]

27. Yes, I do

Some friends have said that I shouldn't, that they may spend it on drugs, but I'd rather take the chance than to let someone go hungry.

About twenty years ago, when my husband and I were still newlyweds, we happened upon a couple, perhaps man and wife, standing by the stop sign at a local grocery store. It was cold, they were poorly dressed, and they held a cardboard sign that said "Will work for food". We stopped and handed them a 20 dollar bill. They asked what work they could do for us, and we said that wasn't necessary, just put the money to good use. As we pulled away, I looked in the rear view mirror to see them with their arms around each other, apparently overcome with their good fortune. The memory of it still brings tears to my eyes.

And just a few weeks ago, we were having a nice lunch at an upscale bar and grill, when we noticed a man open the lid to the trash can on the street, and pull out a discarded sandwich, which he began to eat. I was overcome with emotion. My husband left the table, and went to the man and gave him $20 and told him to "Go get a decent meal". We watched him from our table, and the poor fellow stuffed the money in his pocket, finished his second hand meal, and went on his way. It's beyond tragic and heartbreaking. :cry:

Anytime I see someone asking for help, I give what I can. I can't imagine not doing so.

[jwirr]

28. In cities the homeless are more visible. In our small towns they are

often going through and live in their car. When it is noticed that there is someone in need usually the police and social services and churches cooperate in finding them shelter and food, etc. Most of us in small towns make sure that there is a well stocked food bank, clothing closet, and emergency fund for just this purpose. As to doing this personally - I am known in the community as the person who will take things that are no longer wanted and "passing" them along to persons I know are in need. I know many of the poor and homeless in my community because I am one of them just a little luckier. In one year I know already that I may not be so lucky as I have to be out of the home I am staying in now and have no idea where I can go.

[GentryDixon]

29. Yes. There are probably many

scamming the system. but I do not want the one who really needs help to go hungry. I cannot ignore them.

I throw food out to stray animals as well. When I am at my place in North Carolina I walk out to the woods and pour out my leftovers for all the stray cats & dogs. Not a good thing to get them used to being fed, as I am only there on occasion, but I hurts my heart to think they are looking for a meal.

[Cleita]

30. Yes, when I can spare some but that's not too often. n/t

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

31. I've always given freely

I don't care about feeding people's addictions or passing judgment, if someone is willing to beg for money, I figure they need it pretty badly and I can spare a few bucks.

[Fire1]

32. I always have even before the crash of this economy and I will

continue to do so. I taught my son that it is better to give than to receive and he gives at every opportunity.

[Maru Kitteh]

33. Yes. If I have it, I give.

[ellie]

34. Yes, always.

[JDPriestly]

35. Depends on the vibe I get from the person. If I think they are

really hungry and will spend the money for food or things they need, I contribute, but if they look like they will spend it on another drink or drugs, no. It's a tough call. Sometimes I'm not sure about what I'm doing.

[Dappleganger]

36. No, but...

we have bought them meals or coffee (if it was cold), purchased thrift store coats and flannel shirts and brought them to a group of people before.

[kiva]

37. Yes. And they can spend it on whatever they need the most. n/t

[emilyg]

43. Yes - that's how I feel.

[Texasgal]

38. My husband has a job that has

him all over the city any given day. Once a week we buy a loaf of bread and lunch meat along with banana's or some other sort of fruit and make sack lunches that he passes out to homeless people or panhandlers on the side of the road. He even has regulars!

This past Christmas he got a hand written note on a scratch piece of paper thanking him for his "lunches".

[lib2DaBone]

39. The big thing here is collecting money at the stoplights....

..they carry a fireman's boot or a bucket with a picture of a "Child" on it, and come up and knock on your car window while you are waiting at the red light.

They are neither affiliated with a Fire Department nor Starving children.

Personally, I'm getting sick of it. Yesterday I asked one of the collectors if he would lend ME $5 bucks..

[Maru Kitteh]

45. Yeah, they should just go get a job!

Spending the whole day out in the weather, darting through traffic, being verbally demeaned and abused by assholes that think they're tough and/or funny isn't really work. That's why EVERYONE wants to do it. Lucky bastards.

Lib to the bone my ever-loving ass.

[dysfunctional press]

40. how do you determine which panhandlers are the homeless ones?

we donate to agencies that help the homeless.

[tangent90]

41. Not any more, I buy dollar coupons for McDonalds and give them to beggars

one, two or three or whatever I think will get them some eats.
https://www.abngc.com/MI/index.cfm?site=MI&CFID=514547&CFTOKEN=72275202

[applegrove]

47. If my wallet is close at hand or if I have change in my pocket I will.

[Lyric]

48. Yes.

I am not so perfect that I deserve to be anyone else's judge. If I have extra, I share it. I would rather be "taken" by a scam artist than to accidentally ignore someone who truly IS in need.

Those are my priorities in regard to generosity and human life. I *always* give the benefit of the doubt. If I'm wrong, well, that little bit of money lost isn't going to hurt me. If I'm right, then I might have saved a life.

[tekisui]

49. Yes, I carry a few folded ones for that reason.

I know many on my streets by name, have listened to their stories, and taken their photographs. I don't have much, but I waste much on beer that could be given to one in need.

[Luna_C_06]

50. Yes,

either that or any extra bottled waters or granola bars I have with me (and I'm a type 1 diabetic so I always have extra snacks with me).

[WillyT]

51. Yes

:kick:

[mudesi]

53. Never Have, Never Will

Money won't help.

[cooolandrew]

54. In hard times it's more important to when things get stable again the kindness would be remembered >

and our positive gestures have ripple effects from one person the next.

[aikoaiko]

55. rarely.

No panhandlers where I frequent.

[ContinentalOp]

56. I used to when I was a naive kid from the suburbs.

It becomes pretty hard to do when you live in any area with a larger homeless population. You also start to become hardened to it after a few experiences with some of the more aggressive types. Not to mention the crazy scammers with their tall tales about needing bus fare to get back to wherever.