If you see someone on the side of the road begging for money, or food, do you he

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   barbergirl28posted 12 years ago

   If you see someone on the side of the road begging for money, or food, do you help them?
   
   It seems with the economy being were it is today, that I have been seeing more and more people with signs begging for money and food. However, times are tight. Do you have the ability to spare some extra cash or food? And do you trust that giving them this will be helpful or that they will just abuse your help?

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   lburmasterposted 12 years ago

   I give them a protein bar or some change that I have. My parents feed the homeless every saturday, but I've never liked that idea much.

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   menashposted 12 years ago

   Trust your instinct, most of the time you can tell whether or whether not this beggar is a phony. You should definitely help anyone you can within your budget, money comes and money goes. Charity isn't just a nice thing to do, it's a obligation of the more fortunate to help the less fortunate, the world needs balance and compassion so, yes I think you shall help out.

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   carol7777posted 12 years ago

   I have ambivalent feelings.  I know many homeless have their spot where they have a sign.  Many times I have seen these folks in a  grocery store buying cigarettes and beer. Giving them something to eat is the best idea.

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      LCJamesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      There is times I have seen the same thing. I also know that there is a Higher Power that sees that as well but I still will give because Jesus knows the real truth in their hearts as well as mine.

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   Jackwmsposted 12 years ago

   Generally not. Often, they are smoking cigarettes, which are $9.00 a pack in Washington state. Other times, I see persons much younger than myself who don't show any obvious physical disabilities. Some people seem to have hit on this as a way of life and aren't looking for a real job. I do feel sympathetic when I see a middle aged to older woman standing out in the pouring rain and am more inclined to give some cash.  But, in general, I do not.

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      LCJamesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I understand. I still will give when it is there to give.

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   junksellerposted 12 years ago

   I have no problem helping someone out when they have the need and I have the means. However, handing money and food over to people on the street really just gets them through today in order to repeat the same thing the next day. I prefer to give money to and/or support services which try to help the homeless change tomorrow. That doesn't mean don't help them today, but there has to be a balance to change the long-term outcomes.
   
   I also don't mind at all if they buy cigarettes or alcohol. Sometimes softening the mind is the more critical need to get by than are any caloric requirements of the body. If what they need is to be numb, than so be it.

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      Donna Houstonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I absolutely agree with you.  I too give when and what  I can and I attach no strings to my small donations.  It is not up to me to decide what someone else 'needs' to make it through their day.

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      LCJamesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you because being out there has got to be tough and harsh way to live. Sometimes it is rut and hard to get out of that rut.

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   TheLifeExperimentposted 12 years ago

   I'm careful with things like that. As sad as it is, many of those people will likely use any money they are given to buy drugs or alcohol. I'll never give them money, but sometimes if I'm going out to dinner and I walk out with leftovers in a box, I'll give them to a homeless person. I'm more quick to buy things that they actually need and give those to them instead of trusting them to buy whatever else they need.

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   cat on a soapboxposted 12 years ago

   Our family helps prepare food for distribution at the homeless shelters. When I see a panhandler at a freeway offramp, I will usually give a bottled water.

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   ShootersCenterposted 12 years ago

   I stopped and offered to have one of them work for me for the week to help him get on his feet. I was told that he makes $150-$500 per day and couldn't afford to take a cut in pay. Since then our county has made it a crime to panhandle, there are many programs available to the needy if they really want help.

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      gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You have told the truth.    There are jobs out there; however, these jobs may not be what the person wants but it is a JOB nevertheless.

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      LCJamesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thats a crying shame that it has to be like that. Sometimes you need that little extra with gas prices sky rocketing. I would much rather give my money to them instead to a program that does not work.

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    calynbanaposted 12 years ago

    I will give food, or take them to the store to get food. I will never give them money. I think one of the best things to do for a person sometimes is to talk to them. I like to take them with me to a store to get food, the ones who are in need will come. Many won't and they are not after food. Then I can have a conversation with them and tell them about some resources I know of.

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    padmendraposted 12 years ago

    Giving a penny or two to the beggars  is not  a solution for their livelihood. It would be nice if we advice them to work and earn for themselves. If the beggar is physically normal, he can put himself into any work to live with a self respect.

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       gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Amen to you sir!

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    badeggposted 12 years ago

    I try to do what I can, especially if I feel lead to do so. When I lived in SoCal, you could tell pretty easily which ones were genuine and which ones weren't. I have had my experiences as a homeless individual, and I wrote about it in my hub "Homeless in a Resort Hotel".
    
    There seems to be a camaraderie among the homeless, and if you get involved and communicate with them, you would be surprised at the stories they can tell you about how they got that way.

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       LCJamesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I will still give to them. I have been in numerous of rough situations and found out that it is truly harsh. I will do what it may take to help.

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    ENFposted 12 years ago

    I believe we must know our own hearts in order to decide to give or not.  Whether we will solve the person's problem for a long period time is not the matter, nor the state of their person or appearance.  If we have something to give to help someone else, and we want to give it, we should.  Do not complicate caring with social rights and wrongs, or analytical conclusions of the reality or depth of a person's needs.  Sometimes just a smile can brighten a person's day, and if they use the money for something you don't agree with, that doesn't matter.  What matters is that you did what your heart wanted, and you can go home and feel good about it.

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    bernard.sinaiposted 12 years ago

    It depends. Some people are genuine but there are many who are just lazy. I've stopped helping the regulars especially if they smoke and drink.
    
    If you have the money to buy cigarettes and liquor then there's no point in helping you.

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    connorjposted 12 years ago

    I do always empty my pockets for them (not my wallet). That would be, the change (in my pocket), anything from about 50 cents to 2 dollars usually. I generally do not have food in my car, yet if I do I would share some... I never judge them; yet I do tell them that this is from God, not me (then I repeat to myself, I am merely the instrument...).

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    mvillecatposted 12 years ago

    Sometimes, sometimes not. I always go with my gut feelings to whether or not to do it. It is heartwrenching but a lot of times you just have to walk by because you get a creepy feeling or you do not have anything to give. I would give food far more often than money.

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    LCJamesposted 12 years ago

    Yes, I would help the less unfortunate. You never know if you are entertaining Angels unaware. You don't know if they have small children in a hotel and possibly be broken down and will be on there way to home. You do not know if these people are holding signs because there is a multiple families paying rent somewhere. Anyway know one really knows for sure what the circumstances are with those that hold up signs asking for your help.  Yes, I will help them because I know what it is like to be hungry.

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    Virtuous1posted 12 years ago

    If I have it at the moment yes I will give.. I have had people come up to me on the streets asking and I give. I know some people think they could be using it for smokes or drinking. But who am I to sit in judgement of what they do..if they used if for other than eating food than it's not up to me to judge them God will do that..only thing I am to do is give.

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    mismazdaposted 12 years ago

    I have given money to people whom has asked, but it was my inner man telling me at the time to do it..I dont do it all the time, but hey we could be in that same situation one day...Also we have to use common sense here....everybody begging is not in need...I think that it is easy to detect...

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    BSloanposted 12 years ago

    I use to give any change I had at the time, but recently you see someone at every corner asking for money.  So I no longer give but instead contribute to a charity like St. Jude or Special Olympics.

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    prettynutjob30posted 12 years ago

    I would definitely offer them help I have no right to judge them if a person is asking for food the least I can do is offer them some.

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    jamshadkpposted 12 years ago

    It depends..
    If He's Is Wearing A Branded Watch And dresse Worth 50$
    I may Not..!!

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    Don prexposted 12 years ago

    I believe nobody is entitled to be a beggar but for the economy.i will give the beggar depending on how useful it is to me and to the beggar .afterall no one knows whether the beggar will turn to b our helper someday

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    Seraph77posted 12 years ago

    I agree with you that the economy is tough today.  If I saw someone begging for food or money, I would be willing to spend five to ten dollars at the nearest dollar menu for them.  I would not feel comfortable giving them money because I have seen to many loved ones addicted to things that cause them to have skewed judgement.  I would be afraid I was enabling something harmful to them.  But if I could show them a kind gesture and put warm food in their belly, I would gladly do it.

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    CrescentSkiesposted 12 years ago

    Nope. If they want food there are homeless shelters that I help pay to support, if they ask for money I don't give it to them. Food they can't use as money to buy drugs or alcohol.

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    Sunny2o0oposted 12 years ago

    No.  While some people are genuinely homeless, others simply prefer to beg for money rather than work.  Giving homeless people money actually isn't helping, anyway, it's just perpetuating the cycle.

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