Do you give money to people on the streets for food? Why or Why not

1. 60

   glmclendonposted 12 years ago

   Do you give money to people on the streets for food? Why or Why not

   replyreport
2. 0

   ghiblipgposted 12 years ago

   Well, give food, yes. Give money, no. Unless I can assure they will spend the money for food, then yes.

   replyreport
3. 77

   rahul0324posted 12 years ago

   Yes I do... most of the times... I personally give them something to it myself!
   Why?
   
   Cause somehow I feel the pain.. the hunger they must be feeling!  I feel when god has blessed me with amenities, he must have thought that will he help the needy.... I feel obliged towards him for furnishing me with privileges and I can make him feel a little happy by helping those brothers who couldn't come off well!
   
   After all... in the world whose father is the almighty... we are all brothers and it's our moral obligation to help and care and feel for each other!

   replyreport
   1. 77

      teaches12345posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think this is so noble of both Rahu and Josak. Helping others in this way will only come back to enrich your life in some way.  This is what true religion is about. We volunteer to help others in food pantries and do give on the street as we see th

      replyreport
4. 60

   Josakposted 12 years ago

   Always, much to the chagrin of my companions if we are walking in a poor suburb because we have to stop so often, I was homeless once as a child and had to beg to eat, I experienced how hard and degrading that was so I make a point of talking to people who are in need and offering them a hand, in the form of some money, a meal or the spare room in my house.

   replyreport
5. 60

   Khal Blogoposted 12 years ago

   No, i don't give them money. I give them food, but no money, because many of them are drug addicts or alcoholics, so if i give them money, they're usually going to spend it on that.

   replyreport
6. 0

   Dr Cilposted 12 years ago

   I have did it before, however, that was a long time back.  Today, I probably would buy them the food and give it to them.

   replyreport
7. 93

   PurvisBobbi44posted 12 years ago

   Yes, I give them both. Even on the back streets of American one can see families walking down country highways.
   
   I have given food and money for a family to rent a motel room to sleep and bath for a night. Some families are trying to connect with their other family members. And some families lost their homes to "Foreclosure" and are just looking for answers.
   
   Once an old man---he said he was 81 years old walked on the secondary road by our house. My Daddy took him to a motel and paid for his room, got him meds, and then took him to a restaurant for a meal.
   
   We could be in the place horrible situation if we did not have family and the means to live.
   
   I am not rich by any means---but I can share when I have it to do so. If anyone looks too scarey to me------I do not approach them.

   replyreport
8. 69

   CR Rookwoodposted 12 years ago

   I didn't see people on the street asking for money here, but I did feed coworkers all the time at my last job. A couple of times I just bought their food, a couple of times I gave them money for food and never asked for it back.
   
   The job was so low paid and so hard, and lots of young people with kids were trying to earn a living there and half the time they couldn't eat. I know a lot of people will just think I'm a sucker or something, but I've been around the block a few times, I'm not a young person, and seriously, it's rough out there, especially in certain parts of the industrial midwest and other depressed areas.
   
   You can work and work and still not make it.

   replyreport
9. 61

   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   Money no.  My husband was a missionary and we saw so much need but also fraud.  Money given often went for cigarettes, and alcohol instead of family need.  Once we gave a lot of our own food and later found it was sold on the street for cash.  So it is a hard situation.  But I have seen giving go bad countless times.
   
   Sometimes we react to perceived need with an open heart and compassion but in truth it needs to be looked at in a more logical fashion so that we are not adding to the problem.
   
   A voucher system works pretty well.  Our ministerial assoc. in town does that.  A voucher for a motel room if a traveler, or a voucher for gas, or a meal. It works well and keeps fraud to a minimum.

   replyreport
10. 61

    Sold Out to Jesusposted 12 years ago

    My husband is a preacher and many times when he goes to his day job that is downtown he will have homeless men come up and ask him for money and he will give them a little bit, but first he tells them the gospel of Christ and asks to pray for them right there in the streets. Sometimes he walks to subway on his lunch and takes someone he sees on the streets with him to buy them lunch and talk to them about God or buys them coffee. Sometimes just showing love and compassion to someone can do far more than anything. I don't feel it's my place to judge what I think they might do with the money or food. Giving comes from the heart with no strings attached.

    replyreport
    1. 77

       teaches12345posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thank God for people such as this who take time to share "real food" with others.  I think it is a spiritual need as well as phycial that we need to provide for others.

       replyreport
11. 70

    Amethystravenposted 12 years ago

    Yes. I have given many people money and food. If I have it and they don't I gladly give. If I give money and they choose to use it for anything other than food then their dishonesty will catch up to them. It's not for me to judge weather or not they really need it. I help out when I can.

    replyreport
12. 60

    MickSposted 12 years ago

    No, I go to a sandwich bar and buy food and drink for them to which they have always been grateful.  If I have time I sometimes buy and give them a bag of groceries.  I think this is a better form of charity than giving money which could be used unwisely.

    replyreport
13. 60

    Sparkleaposted 12 years ago

    When given the opportunity, I give them money and food both. 
    
    If I spot a homeless person with a sign from my car, I drive to the store, buy them a muffin/hot coffee, take it to them and give them money. 
    
    The last time I did this was a few months ago.  The man's name was Bill.  He was so filled with gratitude.  It was a win-win for both of us: He was so happy...he said he was doing it for his granddaughter.  I was thrilled to contribute in my small way.
    
    I don't question if they are fake, doing it for alcohol or cigarettes.  God only knows for sure.  It does not matter to me.  The only thing that matters is that I followed my heart.  Jesus would have done the same thing. 
    
    Blessings, Sparklea

    replyreport
14. 0

    bmcoll3278posted 12 years ago

    Where I live you see them standing at the highway off ramp. You give them money and then pull into a gass station and watch. Many of them get into a nice bar and leave I have seen it several times. It nay seem funny to some But I let god guide me if they look like they are in need and my heart tells me to yes. But if they look like the others kind I mentioned above then know

    replyreport
15. 35

    edhanposted 12 years ago

    I used to do that. But now I am in for the idea of building a place where people can earn for themselves instead of begging for money or food.
    
    It is better to teach them how to earn a living for themselves so that they will no longer need to rely of people giving money as it is not a long term solution for begging.

    replyreport
16. 66

    Amy Bechererposted 12 years ago

    Before I was laid off due to the economy, I worked on Locust Street in downtown St. Louis.  There was a large number of homeless people that traveled on foot up and down the downtown streets.  I would step outside on my short breaks and often a homeless walker would stop and talk to me. Most of the time, I would give them a dollar or two, as I did not make a big salary.  Usually, I was lectured by someone else in the office that accused me of "enabling" them.  The mayor of the city of St. Louis was initiating a law that criminalized panhandling, as he believed it negatively impacted tourism.  Unfortunately for the mayor, the homeless EXIST and have the right to walk freely on the streets of America. Until there are viable solutions that offers consistent help for the homeless, they are left to their own defenses.  Mental illness, physical neglect and illness with no opportunity for convenient medical care (most have no transportation) and the fact that those without an address cannot get help, leave them with few options to change their dire circumstances.
    
    Though I am now unemployed, I continue to occasionally give a small gift to a needy, homeless person. As with any gift I give, I do not lecture how they should spend it. I feel, as adults, they are entitled to make their own decision as to what brings them solace, be it food or not. I have not walked in their shoes and I leave judgement to God.

    replyreport
17. 69

    Darrell Robertsposted 12 years ago

    I give people on the street money if I think that they are really in need and do not smell like alcohol.  I feel bad for people who have to resort to begging on the street.  I do not know their life story so I try not to judge.  I know if I was on the street I would like a hand so I try to do the best i can for them. 
    
    I prefer when they ask for food then I would buy them food, if I have money.
    
    Best wishes

    replyreport
18. 58

    zzronposted 12 years ago

    I do it all the time if I'm asked and if I have a little to give, even some change. You never know who really needs it.

    replyreport
19. 58

    AndyK26posted 12 years ago

    If I have some spear change I always give it to them , but I must say I don’t do it because I’m religious I just think to me is just change to them much more

    replyreport
20. 71

    ptosisposted 12 years ago

    Don't forget that a little care package is nice also.Travel sized toothpaste, toothbrush, wet naps (no access to showers) in a plastic baggie. Sanitary napkins or tampons for females (those things are expensive!)

    replyreport
21. 83

    justateacherposted 12 years ago

    If I have extra money, I will...I know some people would say not to give money but to give food or something tangible because you can't know for sure what the person will do with the money. I say if they use the two or three dollars that I give them for drugs, alcohol or cigarettes, then I did my best and maybe they can get away from whatever problem they have for a little while (Although  I am totally against illegal drug use...)

    replyreport
22. 0

    oceansiderposted 12 years ago

    Hello again,
    
    Yes, sometimes I do give money to people on the street when they ask for it.
    I feel that the Lord leads me to who I should help.  I felt so happy that I had the money to help someone out.  My youngest daughter does the same thing (she's 23 yrs old and loves Jesus too).
    
    Sometimes I have bought food for someone who was outside of the 99 Cent store or other store, and I gave them something out of my groceries that I thought would be healthy enough for them.  Most people are so appreciative and thank God for the help.
    
    There have been several occasions, where I didn't give any money because one time, the person was standing on one of those islands in the middle of the street, and there was no way to stop because the turn signal was green and I had to keep going.  Other times, I just was so broke, I couldn't give money.  Right now, I've been out of work since last May and need a job, and friends and family have been giving me money...what a blessing this has been from God!!!
    
    Helen

    replyreport