Is giving money the only way to help poor people?

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  1. musing randoms profile image63
    musing randomsposted 9 years ago

    Giving money is merely a tactic designed to cover up the real problems.

    The answer is not invading other countries under false pretexts and then stealing their resources, not installing puppets to rule by proxy, not trumpeting the merits of democracy then using illicit wars to oust democratically elected officials because they refuse to follow a certain game plan .... so no money as a tool of emotianal or economic blackmail will not hekp to lift people and socities out of poverty, in its stead it will merelt reinforce stereo types we build up of our own supposed better selves and the other uncivilises and uneducated brutes.

    1. meecesaddlery profile image53
      meecesaddleryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Because people are only poor were the US has gone to fight a war? Are you sure you know what poor is?

    2. Goodpal profile image72
      Goodpalposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The US is certainly not the most humane society. But the issue is how do we money vis-a-vis poverty. Isn't bad system creates and sustains poverty? If the system is good and inclusive the welfare programs would become redundant.

  2. M Asif Jameel profile image63
    M Asif Jameelposted 9 years ago

    It's not enough to give only the money to the poor and get rid of the poverty but you really need to give them the education and then a livelihood, a better livelihood to live their lives equally in the society

  3. meecesaddlery profile image53
    meecesaddleryposted 9 years ago

    Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for life. Maybe you should buy them a fishing license.

  4. chuckandus6 profile image80
    chuckandus6posted 9 years ago

    You can donate food,that is unwanted,clothing,and ext. Things you do not need.
    Sometimes money is the only option if they have a disconnect and need to pay a certain amount to avoid their lights being shut off. But if they are in need of food clothing or household items,used goods that people do not need,are a great donation.

  5. profile image0
    vhaywardposted 9 years ago

    To answer your question simply, the answer is no. Poverty is more than just a lack of income. Poverty encompasses a lack of money, resources, housing stability, safety, opportunities, education, ect. It is a complex issue. I worked for over a year helping to house the homeless and I now work as a self sufficiency specialist to help enable those in poverty rise above their circumstances. It is not easy.

    That being said, money can make a huge impact when applied correctly. For instance, paying a poor person's electric bill so that they can avoid shut-off is important. However, if all we do is pay for the current shut off and provide them with no other resources or opportunities to change the situation overall, they will need another shut-off assist the very next month.

    Where I work we have six categories which have shown reliability and validity when it comes to self sufficiency. Income - either fixed (disability, SSI, retirement, earned, ect), Housing (stable is required, other options are unstable and literally homeless), Food, Transportation, Education, and Health Care. If a client is lacking in any of these areas they are at risk for falling back into poverty and/or remaining in poverty.

    So, money can be a huge relief and assist greatly in the cause to help those who are impoverished. However, it is not the only factor and it needs to be applied correctly.

    Other ways to help the poor that don't include giving away your money include volunteering at a food bank (trust me, they ALWAYS need volunteers), volunteering to drive those with disabilities and transportation barriers to doctors appointments, job interviews, ect, volunteering (See a pattern yet?) to teach a skill you excel at such as budgeting, how to do your own oil change, writing a resume, ect. Time and knowledge are just as valuable, if not more so, than money.

    A common misconception is that everyone who is on welfare (Food assistance, cash assistance, ect) are unemployed. This is not the case, most of them work, usually more than one job. Unfortunately they are only able to work part time jobs or minimum wage as that is what is available to them. Changing our society should be a main focus. Great communities are built, not found.

  6. profile image0
    Joshtheplumberposted 9 years ago

    Most certainly not, but it is a way. As a kid, my mother and I used to volunteer at a food pantry cooking up hot meals for the homeless. My only regret was that I didn't know how to respond to 'gracias.'

    (It's de nada)

  7. Omeva profile image59
    Omevaposted 9 years ago

    I actually had an idea to create some kind of organizations that takes in homeless or people who are less fortunate and give them some kind of temporary work while they were tight some basic necessary skills to become a good employee and self sufficient. Maybe its just my naivety that is speaking and they probably need other help more than job skills i.e drug problems or addressing the problem that put them on the street in the first place. At any rate, I think thins would be a good way to help poor people. Let me know what you think.

    Best Regards,
    Omar Jackson

    1. tjak7776 profile image60
      tjak7776posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I think you have a good idea and I do believe that there are several organizations in the U.S that do just that. Poverty is subjective so there are many different needs. Having a multifaceted  solution and opportunity will help.

    2. Goodpal profile image72
      Goodpalposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This is the ideal way, if charities and govt schemes are redesigned in this way. It can also grow into a big national movement as more and more people come forward to participate.

  8. Holiday Girl profile image66
    Holiday Girlposted 9 years ago

    I saw a video once about a woman who made these sleeping-bag/coats for the homeless (they were coats that converted into sleeping bags at night). I thought she was a genius, but apparently, one of the homeless people she gave a coat to told her that what she really needed was a job, so the woman created jobs and hired homeless people to make the coats for her. Another man offered a homeless man either $100 or lessons on how to create websites. The homeless man chose the education.

    1. Goodpal profile image72
      Goodpalposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Great!  This is empowerment, the only sustainable anti-poverty measure. Doles and charities are ineffective and short term. Poverty will simply vanish if economy is made job-focussed; focus on GDP doesn't serve that purpose.

  9. Dakk profile image84
    Dakkposted 9 years ago

    Giving money is a short term answer to solve short term problems (hunger, clothing, etc), but won't actualy solve the issue. Personally, I do not believe in any political or economical model that claims it can "eliminate" poverty, because in the long run, thats economically not possible, be you a socialist or a capitalist, specially in today's globalized economies. The reason I like capitalism more is that capitalists then to be more honest in regards to poverty, while socialists are always daydreaming about utopias in which poverty magically ceases to exist.

    Poverty can be "treated" by having a healthy job market and social programs to help the lower layers of society to get access to higher education, decent food and housing, but even those things just aleviate the problem a bit.

  10. Neeraj Singh Negi profile image55
    Neeraj Singh Negiposted 9 years ago

    giving money to poor people can not  get rid of poverty ,I think understating the problem of  economic condition and solving them by taking rights consultation or some decision can drop off poor people from poverty.

  11. profile image50
    Ivan4895posted 9 years ago

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  12. Virginia Allain profile image89
    Virginia Allainposted 9 years ago

    I try to be politically active and advocate for the poor in that way. If a better safety net were created by the government, less people would go to bed hungry or be without a roof over their head.

  13. abdussalaam profile image80
    abdussalaamposted 9 years ago

    I think giving money to the poor is the ultimate way of helping those in poverty. But, there are other ways such donating unwanted items such as clothes, or, by sacrificing your time towards charity.

  14. profile image0
    jaswinderpagesposted 9 years ago

    No, giving money is not the only way to help poor people. But you can help them:
    1.By giving them  smile
    2. By talking nicely
    3 By helping them to work and make money.

  15. lovesamrat profile image60
    lovesamratposted 9 years ago

    No that's wrong or may be right but according to my point of views giving money the only way to help poor people this is the wrong way. I think give some job to these persons so they can easily earn their money through the use of hard work. I think this is the correct way to help the poor gives his or her some employment. Giving money to the poor person is not good enough.

  16. passionatelearnr profile image81
    passionatelearnrposted 9 years ago

    No,its not the only way to help poor people.Creating more employment opportunities for poor is better option.

  17. profile image52
    Samanthamarie10posted 9 years ago

    No giving money is not the only way to help the poor. You could see if they need food and help by giving food. You could also help and put a roof over there head for a night, if homeless and pay for a hotel room. You could go help them with certain tasks they need done but do not have the money to run errands. Any of the small things in life that we take for granted could help a person in need. We could also give them hand me down clothes that we do not wear any longer. That little help will go a long way.

  18. unvrso profile image84
    unvrsoposted 9 years ago

    No, there is more ways to help poor people; for example, let them see that being rich is not a synonym of good life. In addition, showing them that being poor is not always a bad situation for anyone.

    Since the lack of the most essential resources is not a synonym of being poor. Poor people can fight diseases and bacteria more optimuslly than people who over indulge themselves with food and other basic physical needs.

  19. Rabadi profile image77
    Rabadiposted 9 years ago

    No I don't think its the only way I think teaching them how to "fish" or teaching them how to get food on their own like directing them to places that donate food on weekends or giving them hat or a jacket on cold days will also be a way to help them. Great question mind checking out my page, I also followed you too smile

  20. KWID profile image61
    KWIDposted 9 years ago

    There are many ways in helping the poor........you can give them food instead of giving money because you nevr know the destiny of the money to which hand it goes to....the best option is if affordable you can adopt a child ...getting them uniforms for schools, books etc....The best think you can ever to is just remeber them in your prayers..smile

  21. bluesradio profile image57
    bluesradioposted 9 years ago

    No, you can also help them by helping them develop skills to get out of said poverty...you can help them by creating opportunity....and not just job opportunities, but educational ones too....

  22. Ananya Singh profile image59
    Ananya Singhposted 9 years ago

    No i don't think so. But on the other side atleast you can help poor people by giving them money.

    1. bluesradio profile image57
      bluesradioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I work in a artistic venue and people are also begging for money, and when you offer them food instead, they sometimes take that as a affront which leads me to believe they want the money for something other than food...

  23. jainswati profile image58
    jainswatiposted 9 years ago

    just giving money wont solve the problem but educating them in a good way can...so they could earn themselves and utlize it wisely

  24. DebraHargrove profile image66
    DebraHargroveposted 9 years ago

    I think being a friend to a poor person would help more than giving money.  By being a friend you would be able to find ways to help that poor person find opportunities to increase their income.  Looking out for a poor person by lending a helping hand would also benefit a poor person.

  25. jackclee lm profile image75
    jackclee lmposted 9 years ago

    It is one way but not the best way. As the old wisdom teaches us - give a person a fish and he eats one day but teach a person to fish and he will eat a lifetime.  How profound.

  26. YvetteParker profile image60
    YvetteParkerposted 9 years ago

    It is imperative to understand what the specific needs are in order to make an impact/difference in the lives of these people. Money may be a need in many cases, but in others; it may be time, food, clothing, housing, opportunities to empower themselves, etc. etc. etc.

    1. bluesradio profile image57
      bluesradioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes it is vital that we understand the reasons for Poverty and understand that quite a bit of it has to do with Classism in our society,.and other ills as well,.including Veterans' rights at times.....

  27. Pakfunz profile image37
    Pakfunzposted 8 years ago

    yes ! but not only money, you have to feel their sorrows and try to solve their issues. You must show that you are the one from them and celebrating your events with them may also help

  28. sukhneet profile image27
    sukhneetposted 8 years ago

    Not always! There are so many other ways to help them. Everybody cannot afford a monetary help, but trying to show them a right path is a real way to help them so that they can understand the reason behind the existing problem and finding a viable solution for the same.

  29. tamarawilhite profile image82
    tamarawilhiteposted 8 years ago

    No, it isn't. The Bible actually gives preference for giving them a job or teaching them a skill to earn an income long term over giving them money or necessities for today only.

  30. Mark Chandler 604 profile image56
    Mark Chandler 604posted 8 years ago

    Not everyone can contribute financially - and for some writing a cheque is easier than rolling up your sleeves.  As long as a person is contributing on some level!

  31. profile image51
    Oifolovebeauty00posted 8 years ago

    The only way to get rid of poverty is to give people who are in need.given then money can help them to solve alot of problems.

  32. jacobmiltonhope profile image59
    jacobmiltonhopeposted 8 years ago

    Hi Goodpal... we can say that giving money to poor people is a good deed. But you must to do calibration about it that do they (poor people) utilize your money in right direction?

    You should evaluate this thing that for which purpose you are giving money to them. Obviously, this is a good deed to help poor according to your expertise.
    *** Let's Help Poor ***

  33. Omar Eldamsheety profile image72
    Omar Eldamsheetyposted 8 years ago

    No, You should teach them how to make money by themselves ... but till they learn and be able to do that , give them money.

  34. Brians Review profile image62
    Brians Reviewposted 8 years ago

    The poor don't deserve to be handed money. Though, the unfortunate should be considered. Let's help those that are willing to better themselves, before we sacrifice for those that have no interest in society, or self improvement. As the saying goes, "You can't help those that won't help themselves." That statement still jingle-bells true this holiday season.

  35. Efficient Admin profile image85
    Efficient Adminposted 7 years ago

    Not if they will use the money to support any addictions they have like drugs, alcohol, etc.  It may help for the moment if they buy food or water.  What they need is to be taught life skills and get job training, or more importantly mental health assistance if needed.

  36. My Esoteric profile image85
    My Esotericposted 7 years ago

    No, at best it is a temporary measure.  More permanent solutions are:

    1. Better educational opportunities
    2. Retraining
    3. Eliminating the systemic hurdles which impede the less fortunate from obtaining the American dream
    4. Having conservatives learn the VAST MAJORITY of the poor want a better life
    5. Having conservatives realize that just because they want a better life that there are plenty of social and economic barriers outside their control which prevent it.
    6. Reverse the trend toward more income inequality.

    1. gmwilliams profile image83
      gmwilliamsposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      Poor people DON'T want a better life, c'mon Eso.  If they DID, they wouldn't make illogical decisions which land them in dire socioeconomic straits.  Poor people are poor because THEY WANT to BE

      1. My Esoteric profile image85
        My Esotericposted 3 years agoin reply to this

        By propagating (or starting) such lies is why conservatives have such a bad name.

        Also, I see you couldn't find any proof of your false claims.

  37. Shwetam profile image59
    Shwetamposted 7 years ago

    Not at all, giving money to poor is  very temporary arrangement and this surely is not a help in real sense. There are various ways of helping poor . The real help would be an effort to take them out of poverty by - giving employment to the adults , education to the kids and hygienic environment to the family.
    Giving money is like spoon feeding that will make them dependent and they will continue to stay poor

    1. My Esoteric profile image85
      My Esotericposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      So you feel that something like Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corp would be useful?

  38. profile image52
    Marjorie Bongposted 7 years ago

    As Jesus said I can give them fish and feed them for a day or teach them how to fish and feed them for a life time. Education and teaching them to do things for themselves is what's needed. With gentle hands and a loving heart these things can be accomplished. Remember when you can't find a answer look to the Bible there your answers will be waiting for you.  Amen

  39. bluesradio profile image57
    bluesradioposted 6 years ago

    And we also need to work on things that might even encourage poverty.....Our housing crisis where a lot of houses are not affordable and salaries in some fields that are nowhere near a livable wage are some of the contributing factors to poverty...Also, we need to encourage entrepreneurship and other means of making money that is legal in our school system, and many schools do not do this....And, these are just some of the factors...

  40. MG Singh profile image63
    MG Singhposted 3 years ago

    Does anyone really think that the poor people in the world will vanish? it is never going to happen because social classes will continue, so even if you give money or do anything the poor will remain.

    1. gmwilliams profile image83
      gmwilliamsposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      EXACTLY....Poor people are HAPPY in their impoverished state if they WEREN'T , THEY WOULDN'T BE POOR.  It is an utter waste of time to HELP poor people.  Let them be mired in poverty.

      1. My Esoteric profile image85
        My Esotericposted 3 years agoin reply to this

        You would have said the same thing about slaves, had you been alive then.

  41. Charles Emerenwa profile image53
    Charles Emerenwaposted 3 years ago

    Well, I believe the quote “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime" would be apt as some of the comments above indicated. Offering financial aid to the poor and needy might only offer temporary relief, but won't do much to change their circumstances. However, it is still better than turning a blind eye to a person in need.

    Well, it will take a lot more to get the poor out from their predicament, that is if they are willing to make a change given there is an opportunity to make a living with skills and probably talents they have. With scarce job opportunities, people will have to find creative means to make money and that may require tools and access to certain mediums and channels to do so, which the poor might never have the luxury of doing so.

    The government will definitely have a major role to play in enforcing balance and equal opportunities by not allowing only the rich to deepen their pockets but look towards means to have an inclusive economy to facilitate the poor in improving their quality of life as well. For instance, China is doing a great job to reign in the rich and affluent and bring the minorities and the low rung income earners standard of living up a notch or two, which reflects the government's active role to impose equal opportunities for the benefit of the country as a whole. This is not empty talk because they even have a detailed action plan thought out to move forward https://www.chinadailyhk.com/article/237525

    1. gmwilliams profile image83
      gmwilliamsposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      It ISN'T the responsibility of the wealthy ti=o uplift the poor that is the POOR people's RESPONSIBILITY.

 
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