Is giving money the only way to help poor people?

1. 69

   JT Waltersposted 13 years ago

   I don't think money will hurt the poor.  I would submot the lck of money in the poor's life ave lead them t be incapacble of mnaging their finances.  The only way to make people good wth money is to give them the experiences of having moeny.

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2. 0

   Joshua526posted 13 years ago

   I heard this many times, poverty is just a state of mind, and more money is not the answer.
   
   Proper education is needed to escape from it.  if one is just giving money,what happens if it was spent and goes to zero?

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3. 53

   guy1973posted 13 years ago

   We can never eliminate poverty from the face of the earth, we will always have poor people. in my opinion money is not the only way we can help. if we really want to help people we need to be in the community, empower them, teach them, giving new skills so they can be better equipped and help themselves and their families. we need to help those who cannot help themselves and encourage those who need encouragment and good kick to those who have the energy and the ability to help themselves. we need to see the potential in people and help them.

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4. 42

   woodamarcposted 13 years ago

   Money would be well spent on those less fortunate by providing "hand up" programs.  Housing, work programs, subsistance, educational assistance and basic medical coverage. To throw money at the poor without a plan in place is the same logic that our government used to create our ~13 Trillion dollar debt.

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5. 60

   mitshellposted 13 years ago

   Giving out money is going to help in a great way, since he cannot tell you all that he needs to get relieve so by giving him money will be helpful

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6. 69

   Ebey Somanposted 13 years ago

   The long term solution is to give poor people skill sets and resources to empower themselves. Giving money wont solve the problems, it only addresses their short term issue and makes them dependent on your generosity for survival.
   
   Teach a man to fish, not just feed the man daily with your "gifts"

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   1. 61

      radiance02posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The other problem is who is going to give the man the boat to go out and fish?

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7. 60

   clintonbposted 13 years ago

   Certainly giving money is not the only way to help poor, in fact easy money wont make them feel responsible in life. rather giving them money show them a good way to build their life and feel the responsibility of living.

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8. 61

   shana yasminposted 13 years ago

   never!considering them and loving them is also helping them.if you have a helping mentality,then the ways are broad and wide.

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9. 0

   Brilliant Blueposted 13 years ago

   It's one way but it isn't the only way. You could donate all sorts of things (ex. clothes, food etc.) Or you could just be kind to someone or give someone the right answer when they ask for it. Even smiling is charity.

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10. 0

    Marie-AnneLeClercposted 13 years ago

    No, I think by offering guidance in order to follow through helping them find a solution to their problems would be of great benefit.

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11. 52

    shoaibgmailposted 13 years ago

    No Its not the only way to help poors but nowadays everybody expecting money from someone so what can we do..

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12. 60

    RishiKSposted 13 years ago

    Not at all (unless he needs it desperately)
    
    You can help him find a good job to feed his family. By doing this, you will be helping him in gaining his self respect back

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13. 59

    Yankee Rebposted 13 years ago

    do you believe in the Bible?
    
    2Th 3:8 - Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
    
    When you give without strengthening a persons self worth and and their accountability as that of a person who adheres to integrity ... you destroy them as a functioning part of society and create a seeker of those who enable slothful ways!
    
    Pro 12:24 - The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
    
    Proverbs 12:24 is all about today's society
    
    The Diligent - those who worked toward a real good education and position in life.
    
    Slothful are those who chose to kick back, party, have wild experiences who now depend on those who worked while they messed around!

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    1. 86

       Billie Kelpinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       iii yii yiii - That's all I can say.

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14. 57

    Deb3334posted 13 years ago

    GIVING is only a small piece in helping the poor.  These people suffer and most really don't want "charity".  They want to work for what they have. So if you want to "GIVE" them anything.....let it be a job for them.  This will not only help their economic position, it will help rebuild their self-esteem and confidence.

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15. 60

    Mavhe Quijadaposted 13 years ago

    No. Sometimes, if they are capable, it is better to teach and help them how to earn money for themselves that just by lending them some. We are not helping them when we do that. We are tolerating their inabilities.
    Here in the Philippines, beggars are everywhere. But, if you really want to help, choose wisely whom to give your extra money. There are some that have good body built and seem to be healthy, but lazy to work and not willing to move to find ways how can they use their force to save and earn money by themselves.

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16. 61

    maryanne56posted 13 years ago

    hi
    there are others ways also available to help poor people like you can provide a job to poor person so he can help it self and also can help to other poor peoples

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17. 45

    padmendraposted 13 years ago

    It is always better to  give money to the poor directly than going to  some charity organisations as it is not sure that the money you are donating will reach to the poor. As for me, I always (week ends)  give the money basically up to five rupees (INR) to the poor people . I keep a small box filled up with small coins in my vehicle near the driving seat. It gives me a feeling that I have done something good ,although very little.

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18. 54

    Andrew Milburnposted 13 years ago

    Well as they say "Give a man a fish and feed him for a day.......teach a man to fish and feed him for life"  So while giving poor people money will help them put a meal on the table or pay a bill there are better ways to help them.
    
    For example if you have a gift or talent why not teach the person. Maybe you know how to make clothes, why not teach them to do the same. Not only can they make clothes for their family, but they can make them for other people and also get paid for this.
    This will make them feel a better person, give them a job, and put money in their pocket.
    
    Please note although I said clothes it could be anything.

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19. 60

    luvs2writeposted 13 years ago

    no, there are lots of other ways to help the less fortunate. The first way would be to not refer to them as poor people. We need to work on our messed up economy, donate food and resources to shelters and businesses who help people in need such as the Red Cross and homeless shelters.

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20. 61

    geiser093posted 13 years ago

    Take a look at the phenomenal success of the welfare program and public housing. People need an incentive to get out of poverty, not just another hand out. Education and psychiatric help would go a long way as well. Yes there are unfortunate people who are not capable of helping themselves and we should help them.

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21. 58

    consentinoposted 13 years ago

    Of course not.  There are many organizations that collect clothing for the poor.  You can donate food to the food banks.  There are so many people who go to the food banks since the economy went bad.  The clothes you no longer wear, don't throw them away, there are so many they can help.  It takes all of us to be consistent on donating.  In the winter, donate jackets, blankets, socks, anything that is warm.  Donate food for dogs and cats.  Families who have them no longer can afford food for them.
    I have a niece that every Christmas she goes downtown and hands out socks to the homeless.  She has been doing this for year.  So, no money isn't the only thing.
    
    consentino
    www.petsareagift.com

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22. 61

    Sapphireidposted 13 years ago

    Hi Goodpal,
    
    Of course not! There are many ways to positively give to others who are poor or without. The issue here is: Why is it that when individuals get to a certain low in their poverty life, they are so pulled back from accepting the most genuine assistance? There are many reasons that a person could come upon poverty. However, it's determined by the mind of the poverished person, whether they can be helped out of it.
    
    Regards,
    
    Sapphireid

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23. 56

    packfanposted 13 years ago

    I work in a hospital in a sketchy area of town.  The hospital's policy is to treat everyone regardless of their socio-economic status.  I see the same thing happening all the time: people keep coming in for the same thing, every week or month.  Normally that wouldn't be an issue but what they are continuously being admitted for are things like alcohol and drug abuse/withdrawal.  Instead of getting them help they are just sent back to the streets to do the same thing over and over again.  So to answer the question, no, there are plenty of other ways to give people help. 
    Someone else told me once that another way to help people on government funded programs (ie Medicaid) is for the government to give money to a business (ie a restaurant) and the business could hire a person, teach them the ropes of the business and employ them.  This would help them learn accountability and how to budget, among other things. 
    Both of these examples include giving them something other than money, whether it be experience, tools to work with etc.  Theoretically these plans would give them what they need to succeed.  I think there are plenty of other ways to help the poor besides money.

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24. 60

    Catalin79posted 13 years ago

    is not the only way but is the most practical on short term.

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25. 77

    moiragallagaposted 13 years ago

    definitely not, in fact that would even be counter-productive. there is this saying that says it best about how to help the poor: “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.” giving money doesn't have any form of sustainability, it will be gone if all the person who received knows what to do is to just simply need it for his needs and wants. what does he do when the money is gone, wait for the next hand-out? the key is to develop capacity to support oneself.

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    1. 82

       jbosh1972posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       And therefore the welfare system should be abolished.  Handouts never work.  Instead send the needy to the pantry for food and maybe volunteer work if applicable.  Assist in locating appropiate job training or even how to start a business.

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    2. 97

       watergeekposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       What would happen if food pantries were given land to start a vegetable garden for the homeless? They could train any homeless person who wanted to learn how to garden. It would give them self respect and food too.

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26. 55

    abrarrposted 13 years ago

    no i don't think that its the only way because than after that they would get used to of it. the best way to help them to stand on their own feet is to help them to earn their bread and butter.

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27. 38

    Borsiaposted 13 years ago

    If you really want to help the poor fund birth control, abortion and family planning. Build schools and sponsor children to attend. Only education will help them.

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    1. 82

       gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Agree, there has always been a strict correlation between poverty and large families in addition to the mother's educational level.    The higher the mother's educational level, the less children she will have.    There must be work programs also.

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28. 60

    rocketstoreposted 13 years ago

    no its not the only way to help them they also need our sympathy & love:)

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29. 60

    Le_connaisseurposted 13 years ago

    Giving money doesn't solve problems.
    However, you will need money in order to help people.
    Help people for me means: Give them clothes, food, education (the most important), shelter and many more. So, you can't do that without money.
    Give a poor person money is like giving money to a child. They gonna buy cigarette with it (kids will get candy).
    
    Use money to provide those things is the most responsible action one can make

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30. 83

    Rock_njposted 13 years ago

    No.  Teaching poor people how to dig themselves out of the financial hole they are in is much more valuable than a short monetary gift. 
    
    The thing that I worry about is that our society is set up so there will always be poor people.  Not everyone can live like Donald Trump.  Then again, being poor is relative.  A poor American is better of than a middle class person in some 3rd world countries.

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31. 61

    sanatharaposted 13 years ago

    "You can't get rid of poverty by giving people money."This is rightly said by O'Rourke.Instead we should tell him the importance of being self-reliant.It's a key to success.So, we should support him in getting education.Money will not last long or forever, but if the person is educated, it will help him being self-supportive.

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32. 0

    nayaz1625posted 13 years ago

    of course not. It is one but there are other things we need to do. Educate them, provide them with jobs, shelter, give them our unused clothes, help them control their budget etc.

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33. 53

    Kimberly Harmanposted 13 years ago

    I think you can give money to the people on the street like in new york and big places like that or offer them a place to stay untill they get back on their feet.

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    1. 56

       bluesradioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       However, it takes a very special and very trusting person to let someone they don't know stay in their house...

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34. 59

    Becca Luckposted 13 years ago

    far from it! Zizek (the academic theorist) suggests that charity is very much part of the problem rather than the answer. There's a youtube video that explains it really well.
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpAMbpQ8J7g

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    1. 82

       gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I have known this for a long time.   Charities and social programs often exacerbate the problem.   Many poor people have a passive and more fatalistic mindset.   They believe that they are victims-believing that they are at the mercy of society!

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35. 69

    happypuppyposted 13 years ago

    Giving money is certainly not the only way to help poor people.  For example, for people who don't have enough food to eat, a simple meal will warm their stomach and kindle their heart.  There are many different ways to help people, but first we have to determine what situations they are in and then decide what is the best treatment for their conditions.  Often times, money will solve the problem.  However, there are other ways which deserve our attention as well.  What I am trying to say is that "money" should be a means to an end and NOT "the end."

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36. 77

    daskittlez69posted 13 years ago

    Giving money does not help the poor.  Well long term it doesn't.  Education and a feeling of earning money is what helps people.  I do believe that everyone should have the right to healthcare though, so they have the opportunity to be able to get out there and earn money.

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37. 61

    Zulleekhaar Oxposted 13 years ago

    I don't think giving money is the only way to help poor people because if you are a low class person yourself, then how much money would you be able to give to make a poor person happy. Many people lose everything that they ever had due to earthquakes and other  things and they may need money to get out of this. But more than money they need hope which will help them get back on their own two feet and create a living again. Love is also a big thing that helps poor people get through their everyday lives and if they didn't have this then the life they are living today wouldn't be as good.

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38. 70

    An Aberrant Tasteposted 13 years ago

    Giving money is most definitely NOT the only way to help someone within poverty. You can donate food, volunteer at shelters, and even become a 'big'/older guardian to poverty struck children. There are church groups that go all around the world to volunteer to people in need, and many others. Of course donating money does help the deed, especially for buying foods, building shelters, and flying care packages overseas, but if you don't have the money--then why not use your extra time? The money HAS to be used in the right way, that's the only way it will ever help the people in need. Personally I think that the huge corporations like McDonald's, Wendy's, ect... can do a lot more to help. Especially since they throw enough food away every year to feed every mouth in America & more.

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39. 48

    ozzy123456posted 13 years ago

    I don't think giving money to poor people is the only way to help them. I think if you give them food or some clothing they could wear, or find them a job to earn money.

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40. 60

    JON EWALLposted 13 years ago

    ’Is giving money the only way to help poor people?’’
    NO, THERE ARE MANY MANY WAYS TO HELP .
    1. Donate $$$ to non profit charitable organizations, local and nationwide.
    2. Donate your time to help organizations to service the poor.
    3. Be active in fundraising campaigns for church, civic groups and local groups
    4. Donate clothing, food and other necessities in some cases maybe shelter.
    
    From the beginning of time the poor  and suffering will always be here on earth. THOSE THAT ARE BLESSED WITH RICHES know that it is their duty to help the poor and they graciously do their part.
    
    Just some  funny thoughts about money.
    MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL   My wife tells  me that all the time and adds , Jon you don’t want to be evil. That’s why I give her ALL MY MONEY
    IT IS BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE     That’s why I give her my money , I feel good
    THE MORE YOU GIVE THE MORE YOU GET    Another reason to give her my money
    YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU     How true, the only things that count are the good deeds one does here on earth.
    
    A minister  who runs a food kitchen for the homeless told a true story about a recent event at the facility.  After the last person eats, the kitchen is cleaned and the minister has his meal. The minister started eating when a homeless man showed up, the kitchen was closed. The man came too late for a meal. The minister split his dinner with the man, each had been fed only because of the charity of the minister.
    
    The minister used the story as his sermon Sunday services. The thought of how the lord called upon him to be charitable to a unknown person. There are many stories in the good book about charity to our fellow man. The lord say ’’ when I was hungry, you gave me to eat '’, ’’when I was thirsty you gave me to drink’’ and ’’when I was naked you gave me clothing ’’. Lord when did I do all those things?  When you gave me to eat ,to  drink and clothing , you gave to the least of my brothers, you gave to ME.
    AMEN
    who was that homeless man? think about it! was the minister being tested?

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    Freegoldmanposted 13 years ago

    community development is my passion
    
    relief is needed when people can not help themselves
    it is like helping a person out from the bottom of a well
    
    development is like teaching them how to improvise and climb a ladder

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42. 0

    Saugasfinestposted 13 years ago

    i always thought that it made more sense assist the homeless by giving them something they could actually use. Like getting to know them and finding out what their skills are so you could assist them with finding a job and maybe helping them to change their situation themselves by getting back on their feet.
    
    Money to pan handlers can sometimes end up being used for alcohol and drugs. Charity and so-called "non-profit" organizations carry such overhead that by time you calculate the actual percentage of money donated to various charities annually versus the percentage that trickles down to be used for actually assisting help with food or shelter it's actually a joke!
    
    I think remembering that these people are human beings who just may be in need of an opportunity is sometimes all it takes.
    
    But at the same time i guess just like the prison systems, its also relevant to note that a large majority of the homeless are people who suffer from schizophrenia and other mental illnesses that sometimes require full time supervision and constant medication in order for them to either see clearly or function in society.
    
    Poverty in third world country's are not the same as it is here in the city and lending a hand to various organizations like Home for Habitat and such are great resources.
    
    Maybe looking at in from the stand point of "we need to assist on all levels and explore all corriders of donations, whether it be time or money" would be more fitting because i see the need for financial contribution yet i've always tended to be a hands on kind of person. I suppose even getting the means to assist in a hands on way still requires various funding of sorts.

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    defoxposted 13 years ago

    Actually it's the worst thing you can do for poor people.Most poor people are  poor because they can't manage money properly.I know people who have a lot more money passing through their hands than I get but they have nothing to show for it...Also there are people who earn less than I do but they have lots more to show.Three hungry men were each given an ear of corn. The first threw his ear of corn away he remained hungry.The second had corn soup which lasted two days but he was hungry on the third day. The third man planted his corn and after two months he was able to feed a multitude.the same principle applies with money.......so educate the poor to give them a fighting chance.

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44. 61

    pearpandasposted 13 years ago

    No you can also support them in other ways; emotionally, socially, supporting them economically, teaching them things so they can get a job.
    
    There are so many ways to help people, even political ways depending on the situation.

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    felicitylovespariposted 13 years ago

    There is a lot ways of helping poor people.Money is the common medium of helping out those depress people but you can help them by joining an organization that reached and helped those unfortunate people that provide medical mission, feeding program.

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46. 41

    carriethomsonposted 13 years ago

    i think giving money is no solution and nither will it help in most of the cases. if you can providing a job is the best thing you can do to help a poor person. else if that person has potential to sart up a small scale buisness or earn monet him/her self you can definately fund for the purpose.

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47. 67

    InspiredHippyposted 13 years ago

    Heck no!  Let me say that again...HECK NO!  My church makes lunches, has a food pantry and a meal after church.  We also do outreach, have a community center in the works and help with resources in the community.  Prayer is abound as well as l listening to their needs and doing what we can to help meet them.  God goes a long way!
    God Bless...Becky Jo aka Inspired Hippy

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    AgesMGMTposted 13 years ago

    giving money isn't even the best way to help poor people, you give them money it gives them enough to survive but not enough to break the poverty cycle.  You need to give them knowledge and opportunities to really make a difference.

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49. 0

    autocadposted 13 years ago

    No, of course not, giving people money is certainly not the ONLY way to help them.

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    KoraleePposted 13 years ago

    Money is temporary, because it comes and goes constantly, in a blink of an eye and is only a band aide.  Education and counseling are longer lasting solutions.

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