Is giving money the only way to help poor people?

1. 61

   AlinaKittiposted 11 years ago

   If you give money to poor people, the country is eventually going to run out of money...
   
   It sounds cruel to some, but spending loads of money on the lowest rank of society in ridiculous in my opinion. The final and only solution is, they need to get jobs. They need to learn how to support themselves. If society keeps on giving them money they'll never try harder and they'll depend on society because it's simply easier for them.

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      Goodpalposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You have a point AlinaKitti. So why it is not happening? Why even people with skills remain jobless? Don't you think something is wrong with the system?

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2. 60

   Lee Lee 513posted 11 years ago

   I think poor people want to work for what they get. Money is helpful but if you can't, donate time at a soup kitchen. I'm not close to one but I would. The best thing to give is friendship and help them, help themselves.

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3. 60

   kimsrobposted 11 years ago

   Money won't make a person who isn't wise become wise.So giving money to poor people can't really help them that much.Because when the money is over they will just go back being poor again.But you can help a person by giving them good ideas or principles of success.Jim rohn said that the good thing about people who have good money principles is that even when they get bankrupt they can find their way to wealth again!

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4. 53

   cheetah786posted 11 years ago

   in most cases poor need money, support them morally, by teaching them.
   the above quote is right, giving money make them habitual to it and they prefer to beg rather than working.

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5. 57

   Naga Raju Vegesnaposted 11 years ago

   Encourage them to work, if you can give them some skills like writing, gardening, cleaning, etc, help build their confidence, give them counseling or refer them to a place they can get professional counseling (you could pay for those willing to take the counseling), encourage them to cleanup.
   Just a few ideas....

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6. 58

   MariaBrownposted 11 years ago

   No! Money is not the only way, education can also help poor people.

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7. 56

   Jacob Janzen Wallposted 11 years ago

   Giving money is one way to help the poor.  As many people have noted, just giving money - even in large amounts - doesn't seem to help the problem in any significant way.  Putting aside the point that economic inequality is a problem that will never be entirely (or I would even say "mostly") overcome, giving money must also be done in the context of helping the poor in other ways.
   
   I would identify 3 basic categories of ways in which we can help the poor, all of which need to be offered for any of them to be effective:
   
   1) Material Help - Money would fall into this category, as would clothing and food donations, building shelter, affordable housing, etc.  Again, this help does not seem to offer long-term relief. Yet it is our duty as humans to show love and help others with their material needs when we can.
   
   2) Constructive Help - Education or teaching poor people to use available resources better provides a longer-term solution, as many people will note. Yet, this cannot also not be separated from material help; how can poor people use resources better if they don't have any?  Both are necessary.
   
   3) Spiritual/Moral Help - Many poor people that I have met don't see themselves as worse-off than the rich; in fact, many see themselves as better off in a moral sense and, consequently, in the bigger scheme of things.  They see the rich as decadent, and are happy to be in better moral shape.  Many are simply happier on the whole.  I have never found happiness like I have in the worst slums of Mexico City, for example.
   
   That having been said, moral help can be a part of education if there is a place where poverty is aggravated by violence, theft, etc.
   
   Missionaries arriving to a poor community bring with them a spiritual message, teaching not only morals but love of others and of God.  This is important because it offers poor people hope.
   
   Yet, how are they to believe a message of eternal hope if they are refused basic material help, or education for their children?
   
   A good example from my own experience is a charity Catholic school in a slum of a city.  The priests teach morals and points the people to heaven; they offer meals for the homeless, and good education to improve children's future.  All three needs are met.
   
   The three kinds of help work best when offered together; they still won't "solve" poverty, but in this way, they do a good deal to alleviate the difficulties that the poor face in day to day life, while offering a way out for some.

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8. 77

   dailytop10posted 11 years ago

   Giving them money should be our last recourse.  It may provide brief relief to their burdens, but it's not a solution. If we are truly dedicated in helping the poor, we should start by determining the cause of their poverty. Once we get rid or at least alleviate the root cause of the problem, noticeable results will surely follow. Instead of giving someone fish to eat, teach him how to fish. A simple and overused quote but is very applicable in our society nowadays.

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9. 58

   Nevill Waineposted 10 years ago

   No,giving money not the only way to help poor and the needy persons.
   Its only a sipmle method of helping.The real method is to support the poor and others who are running institutions for the poor.We should spend time with them,help them by giving money and other useful things

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10. 50

    anne marie smithposted 10 years ago

    yes. absolutely yes !   it's ALWAYS the best thing to do. give cash, write a check  (and make it out to "cash") OR just put a pile of change in a bucket or something!
    
    Forget all of those people who say "teach them a skill, it'll last them a lifetime"...what a crock!

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       Goodpalposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       What is wrong with teaching the poor skills, Anne?

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11. 50

    Dino Capelliposted 10 years ago

    Short term answer would be yes,not for the long term. They are poor for
    1.  they can not manage their finances
    2.  they have not the knowledge .
    
    I believe knowledge is everything these days.
    KNOWLEDGE = POWER
    If you have the knowledge to become financially secure,you would never be poor. If you have the knowledge to win over any girl or man ,you would never be alone. If you have the knowledge to become the best that you can be ,you will succeed in anything you do,especially if you have a passion for it.
    
    I believe you could setup up training facilities and put money into a trust account for poor people to use ONLY IF THEIR WILLING TO HELP THEMSELVES( Better themselves). Money well spent i believe.
    For example to get benefits from the government you must be willing to work for free at a charity for so many hrs each week. It would be better to pay them for learning instead of working or doing something they probably dont like. I know i would rather learn something and still get my benefits rather than work for free for X amount of hrs to receive my benefit. This is a win win situation. As a taxpayer i know my tax dollars are really benefiting someone that is learning instead of working at St.Vinnies or other charity causes for free.
    
    So answer to the question is the more money you give poor people the more they will spend,does not last long.
    Give them knowledge,now that a different story,they can not lose that.

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12. 53

    Merin Josephposted 10 years ago

    No.Money is not only the way to help the poor                                                                                                          1.You can help them by giving your attention so that they feel that  they have some one at their side.                                                                                   
    2. Spend some time with them so that they feel that some one can be with them in adverse life situations.
    3.Relieve them so that their pain is reduced.
    4.Fill them with positive thoughts so that they see life with a positive attitude.
    5.Pray for them.
    6.Recommend others to help them the ways they could.

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13. 0

    jonaiveposted 10 years ago

    Absolutely not! Actually, giving money just ramps up dependence. Fot me, the only way to truly help them is to join in their struggle. Have empathy. Try to understand what being "poor" feels like. Then search for the "why" of poverty. When you've figured it out, actively work to stop that cause. That's what will genuinely eradicate poverty.

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    1. 71

       Goodpalposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Charity by way of giving money is no solution to systemic defects in the GDP based development model we follow today. Discard GDP is a measure of progress, things will fall n place.

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14. 64

    demonfort007posted 10 years ago

    Agreed. When we give to the beggars, and despite what people think the bible speaks against doing this...they only demand more. When you help someone going through a tough spell that you know doesn't want to take the help and has worked etc...I think that helps. And the bible does support helping those in need.  But education is the answer and the ridding of these socialist views that everyone owes someone else something. No one owns anything but themselves and the only personal that is really responsible for you is you. Anything else limits you and your abilities and success.

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15. 60

    lingvopediaposted 10 years ago

    Giving money to poor people is just a type of help. We can help poor people by many different ways.
    I am in favour of teaching poor people.

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16. 55

    lostohanababyposted 10 years ago

    Prayers for a individual that is poor.  Volunteer work in the community.   Joining Theme purpose organizations that want to and are helping the poor.  Just being nice, is a start!

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17. 0

    Anastasia Rokinaposted 10 years ago

    I personally think that it actually contributes to the problem. Poverty isn't a result of lack of money. It's a flaw either in the system or in education.
    
    Give a homeless man a million dollars, he won't know what to do with it. He won't know how to invest or use this money strategically to profit in the future. Is money to blame for this? No it's not.
    
    You can look at the flip side of the coin too. A rich man who inherits his wealth may ultimately become very poor - and money itself isn't the cause. It's either irresponsible spending or poor judgement in maximizing the use of his money.
    
    I am speaking in the context of Western poverty, which is defined by lack of money. If we talk about poverty in third world countries, then it's a different story altogether.

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    1. 71

       Goodpalposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Very correct, poverty not merely lack of money; it is just one manifestation of poverty. Poverty is multidimensional and must be seen from different deprivations, not money alone. Therefore, money alone can't eliminate poverty.

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18. 79

    mcrawford76posted 10 years ago

    I personally don't think education, or money will solve the problem. I have known numerous homeless people, and the case more often than not is that they CHOSE to be where they are at. I've known 2 men both with college degrees, both have easily 4 times the earning potential that I have, who chose to live on the street because the did not like the daily grind of working.
    I would also note that there are many on the streets who are mentally unstable, and no money or education is going to help them. Even if you put them in a state run home, they would leave and be back out on the streets.
    
    I work with a shelter who takes and hands out donations of coats and blankets every fall to try to keep people from freezing to death.

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    1. 55

       lostohanababyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I also agreed with your view on this.  My comment was just in general for those that would like to do something to help if they can through volunteering to various programs in the community.  Thanks for you response!

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    2. 71

       Medusa13posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       But does poverty equate to homelessness? There are many who are living in poverty, without making that choice, and are not necessarily homeless. What you have ascertained may be true for some, however, I am sure it isn't for all.

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19. 60

    psinposted 10 years ago

    Giving Money is the easy way out, give them your time, volunteer and you will see how much you will gain from it.

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20. 0

    promisemposted 10 years ago

    Give money to organizations that try to make the world a better place. Many of them have the skills needed to decide how that money will be used to help others, including poor people.

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    1. 71

       Goodpalposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       That's right but doesn't address the issue of poverty and its causes. There are so many charities that get so much money to help the poor but poverty still persists.

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21. 85

    Lowdown0posted 10 years ago

    Helping them get a job and encouraging them with the love of Jesus is another way to help them. Giving them a Bible and some resources to find food and a job helps them.

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22. 77

    Oztinatoposted 10 years ago

    The first way to help poor people is to give them money and things they need like free health checks etc.
    Then they need to be shown how to become independent.
    A famous Indian businessman found that giving a very small loan to poor Indian people allowed then to quickly achieve independence by purchasing something very modest like say a sowing machine or tools etc to start a business.

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    1. 71

       Goodpalposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, expanding capabilities of the poor is the best way to help them come out of poverty. This is what Nobel laureate Amartya Sen prescribes - development is expansion of people's capabilities and freedom, not just the economy or GDP.

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23. 87

    goodnews11posted 10 years ago

    Giving money to the poor may be one of the ways to help the poor. But that can never fulfill all their need. First they must be provided with the fundamental needs- food, cloth and shelter.
    
    Next, providing them a job can help them fulfill their needs by themselves. If they have a job and they could fulfill their fundamental needs by themselves, then calling them poor makes no sense..     
    
    To find a better job in the future, their children must be educated.

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24. 38

    NeptuneInstituteposted 10 years ago

    Giving money to poor, can never be an option to help poor, instead try to give them some job, make them skillful and motivate them to do something with their life. Try to educate them.

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25. 59

    Deliberate Writerposted 10 years ago

    I donate to a charity called "Kiva". Actually, it isn't really a donation as much as it is a way to give small business loans to people in need. The people who need the money (to repair their tractor, etc to make their business more profitable) pay it back in small installments. I've heard stories that this has helped a great deal of people.

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26. 52

    Goldiaposted 10 years ago

    Money is okay to give. So is food, clothing, bus tokens, references for services, and something you don't need anymore. Sometimes people have a variety of needs and need help locating a service. It could be the person needs someone to talk to.

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27. 72

    Elizabeth Bowersposted 10 years ago

    I think that often giving the essentials they need - food, clothes, blankets, medicine, etc. - is better than actually giving money.  That way their specific needs can be addressed, without running the risk of the money getting used for something non-essential.

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28. 61

    Christine Oliverposted 10 years ago

    I don't believe in giving people money. It is far too tempting to spend money on things we want - drugs, alcohol, a new dress, expensive stuff - instead of things we really need. I would buy them food or clothes. I donate to shelters and organisations that help people get on their feet.

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29. 88

    Kathleen Odenthalposted 10 years ago

    Absolutely not. I think giving your time is much more valuable then writing a check or donating money.

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30. 60

    Harold D Fraleyposted 10 years ago

    Helping some people by giving them money is actually hurting them. The reason is because this person or persons may develop a tendency to depend on you for help. They may not mean to but human nature does funny things to one's mind when he or she is hungry or is desperate for an escape or means to overcome the situation. To be disciplined in these types of circumstances is difficult. Those who keep the faith, work hard, and seek solutions will overcome being poor. This may sound awful but there is always a way out if one plays the game smart.

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31. 57

    Muhammadpandorposted 10 years ago

    No, because money isn't the only thing poor people want

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32. 61

    Bellas blog18posted 10 years ago

    No you can volunteer at local charity organizations to feed the poor and hand out things to the homeless.

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33. 52

    Gurvirjitposted 10 years ago

    No.Giving money is not the only way to help poor people. It is not that we can give them clothes to wear or shelter to live or food to eat. The best thing that we can do to help poor people is to advice them to be hardworking and work with full passion so that they donot starve or depend only on begging for money to feed themseves as well as their family. Soi must advice you all to help the poors by giving them short advice about what is todays world condition even the homeless people are working not to get their luxuries but for the basic needs.you shall encourage them to work instead of just begging for money,work hard. Thankyou

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34. 75

    kndashy41posted 10 years ago

    "Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day.  Teach a man how to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime."  In my opinion, throwing money at any economic problem is a temporary fix.  Funneling money to the economically challenged may help for awhile.  But, the most important thing to do is to simply do as the Bible suggests...treat your fellow man as you want to be treated.  Wouldn't you want to find out how everyone else gets to live well and prosper?  It's an insult to treat an able-bodied, able-minded person like a charity case and it's showing the least amount of respect for that individual because their true needs aren't being addressed, but ignored.  When you seek to help people, it helps to CARE about them, too.

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35. 55

    terwualposted 10 years ago

    You can not beat poverty only the distribution of the profits of the state?
    
    can not never gonna be equal world maybe in picture but unable to eliminate poverty ay to first remove the ego after many systems that enable us to access so many things to be economically as public wanting that want to change the world economic system but I'll summarize this all I want to tell you the world if we were all architects who will be the masons?

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36. 61

    Mulham NBposted 10 years ago

    you know what they says : dont give me a fish but teach e how to use the rod

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37. 59

    morningwind17posted 10 years ago

    Well if you have resources, you can help a poor person by establishing him a small business. If he's a student and is bright, you can help him complete his degree this can help in eliminating poverty from the society.

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38. 60

    Yousif Mohammedposted 10 years ago

    Giving money for charity is not the only act of charity that a person can do, however it is a mandatory act in Islam. Two percent of every earning one has, unless they themselves are poor, needs to go to charity to the homeless, the poor and needy, and the orphans.
    
    But even a smile, a talk, or any act of affection to these people can be considered a charitable act. Smiling to someone who isn't even in direct need for charity, is a charitable act. Do good deeds, and be a good person, do you your part and this is sufficient.

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39. 59

    Theodore Wallaceposted 10 years ago

    You can feed someone and shelter someone, give them the basic securities they need to be able to begin thinking about bettering their life, as opposed to surviving. Education and guidance is the key, I think when it comes to getting someone back on their feet financially. Some people learn differently, I've met plenty successful people who have seemingly one skill for the job market while others might be the jack of all trade master of none, but it's up to their motivation and persistence who will be more successful.
    
    We put people in the prison system with no skills and possibly less than a high school education and expect them not to go back to crime when they are released back into the population. Not that poor people are criminals, but this is a synonymous situation. In the Japanese prison system when you go to prison, you are set up to receive a technical skill and be trained on how to re-enter society, so I hear. I think it's a revolutionary idea compared to our system.

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    1. 70

       LoisRyan13903posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Of course if somebody becomes poor by a misfortune such as losing house to fire or flood, I can see giving money to him.  We do things like that at work.  But if somebody is born into pov money is not the best solution

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40. 61

    NAKURUposted 10 years ago

    Giving money is not a resolution to poverty.It only makes the situation even worse.
    It can be a solution if its done in an orderly manner,many of those living in poverty are not literate on how to spend money meaning they do not have financial education.This is the only difference between the poor and the rich.Money if its donated to the poor when they have been educated it can solve the problem of poverty.This is because people will invest the donated amount in profitable firms or even they will practice a wise spending culture as they will already have a clue on how money is spent.
    The fact is even the rich have a spending habit that inhibits the level they are,the problem of poverty is not that people do not have money its how the money is spent when they have it.The solution will be to educate them on how to handle money,how the money can destroy and how the money can build  when used under different parameters.Through this method am fully convinced that money can solve the poverty but it must be dependent on other factors such as education on finance,investment and social values that influence the economic  status of the society.
    There are also other factors like social ties might even be the cause  of poverty,in some areas that are greatly affected by poverty,have people with cultural beliefs that tie them to the situation they are in.Taking Africa home as an example  most people do not recognize anything as food unless they have a maize meal in the table,this implies that what they lack to be out of poverty and starvation in extension is to erode their culture even if this sounds unique and hard  to implement,it is a solution that can be of great guess towards solving poverty .
    Money on the other hand can make the people more poor than they were before.As people will  receive donations they tend to be less productive as they will be relying on relief food,free housing,free medical........free everything.
    What I will advice on solving poverty is to give the people skills and teach them how to earn a living on their own.In line to that money should be available but not on a regular basis as they will develop an habit of receiving and at long last we would have not solved the whole menace of poverty.
    At some instances money can destroy more than being without,think of hooligans in some countries,if you try to fight poverty they can gain food security and this can make them chaotic.
    Money can help poor people but dependently.

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       NAKURUposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       quite amazing

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    2. 71

       Goodpalposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       So, I gather that since money can't eliminate poverty it is not the basic cause of people's poverty. Lack of money is just a symptom of poverty. Money can't measure people'w well-being. This money based mindset has to change.

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    YourSecretFantasyposted 10 years ago

    No!! Money is liquidated so it can sometimes reach the poor but only after some flowing into some middle people's pockets. Food is the best way to be charitable for you know for sure it ceases the worse humanly form of discomfort, hunger. Feed children and less fortunate people. You will feel pleasure watching a person satisfy his/her hunger and walk off to face the harsh world feeling contented..hunger is about the only thing that can be satisfied ..

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42. 61

    Che Rogersposted 10 years ago

    Lao Tzu said it best " Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime." Money doesn't give you knowledge on how to live your life successfully. This is why we see many upset with the welfare system. We throw money at poor folk who have no education so they misuse the money that is given to them. When you educate a poor person the chances of them staying poor are slim to none. They then have the tools to go out and be successful. This is why you find in history to the present time those in high positions of power taking away education from the poor. This prevents them from ever competing with those in power for positions of power. It also creates a slave/master society where those who are poor and uneducated fill up prisons who in turn use the inmates for cheap labor. So to answer your question money is not the answer to get rid of poverty it is education and wisdom.

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43. 60

    Jennifer Bartposted 10 years ago

    Although giving money seems like the right thing to do and not that that it is not a honest gesture, its not the only way nor is it the most productive way for there life. In my opinion time is best so is guidance and food. If someone wants to help the homeless I would say the one of the kindest and most useful things we can give is are time and ourselves. I am not saying all homeless people are addicts but lets be honest the majority of them are, therefore providing them with money is enabling there addiction. I think cooking a meal bringing it to them even buying a meal to go, sit with them talk with them while they eat so they dont have to eat alone this way they know they are not forgotten there is allot of wisdom to be gained from the homeless you would be amazed. Also when its cold gather up old blankets give it to them there is allot more comfort to be gained from a blanket other than just warmth. I hope this helps!

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44. 57

    AVANA678posted 10 years ago

    its not the only way u can help people with anything that doesn't involve money. they would probably rather have a conversation with someone and just forget about the problem

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45. 61

    kabediposted 10 years ago

    No, money it not the only way to help  poor people
    you can help them with prayer and hope

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46. 70

    LoisRyan13903posted 10 years ago

    I think educating poor people will goa long way.  They can be taught how to get a job, learn job skills, learn how to be wise with their money-defining their needs and wants.  They can be taught wise shopping skills such as comparing prices and stores for the best prices.  They can learn how to make meals and dinners that they can cook ahead of time and freeze.  They can learn how to grow vegetables and fruit.  People are in povery for one reason or another.  Some people who get the right type of education can get out of and stay out of poverty.

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       LoisRyan13903posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Plus if you want to give you can give items such as used clothes, furntures, appliances.  Plus you can give food and even offer services.

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47. 61

    Nigel De Souzaposted 10 years ago

    Poverty is a state of inadequacy so it's not only money that's inadequate, basic necessities such as food clothing, shelter and even happiness have made people poor. Helping someone who's poor deals with making a minimal contribution that would make even the slightest impact on the persons wellbeing for that day or more. So helping a poor person could involve giving a meal to a hungry person, clothes to wear or even a simple gesture in the form of a greeting could touch a poor man's gentle heart. Providing employment or even paying for a childs education could be a turning point for any one who is in need. Lastly i would like to say, if help meant survival for another day, how far would you go and sacrifice your excess earnings. Peace!

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48. 0

    Raimer Gelposted 10 years ago

    No. It is teaching them how to earn money my themselves. It is like the parable in the Bible. Teach them how to fish instead of giving them fish for a day.

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       LoisRyan13903posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Love that with the parable

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    Crystalhubbardposted 10 years ago

    No money is not the only way to help. I Believe that if the poor had knowledge of there options then most would become a part of society.  However people don't perceive the homeless to be important, because there to busy judging.  I think that if we do not judge what we see then maybe just maybe the homeless would be educated as the homeless over seas.

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    online4incomeposted 10 years ago

    It depends on the situation, although in most situations and cases money will be able to provide great help to a person but sometimes it is better to pay attention and give some time to solve there problem and thus help them to get a permanent solution to a problem.

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