Panhandlers
- Thread starter Hoosierhawkeye
- Start date
When those bases were loaded, I had my Carlton-dancing gif all ready to go. Damn pirates.
I usually give money to the ones playing music. The others get zero from me cause I can't tell if they are legit or not. I give thousands of $ yearly to salvation army so I feel as if I am doing my part. Every kid that comes to my door selling candy or whatever I buy from. good for them. I would help someone if I knew they legitimately needed it.
Iowa City has a great program for helping with this. Purple parking meters that go right to the homeless shelter. I've donated to those in lieu of paying someone a few times when back visiting.
In Chicago, I, probably once a month, buy the guy, who sits on my route from school to the gym, $25 in McDonald's gift cards. I'll also buy a StreetWise once a week or so. I refuse to do cash directly to people.
In NYC I would bring slices around once a week or so to the guys who "lived" pretty close to me.
Otherwise, it's headphones in, head down, maybe say "no cash" if they're real aggressive.
But, isn't the OP like a very religious person? Seems so weird that he's so skeptical and unwilling to help those in need. Not all that Christian-esque.
In Chicago, I, probably once a month, buy the guy, who sits on my route from school to the gym, $25 in McDonald's gift cards. I'll also buy a StreetWise once a week or so. I refuse to do cash directly to people.
In NYC I would bring slices around once a week or so to the guys who "lived" pretty close to me.
Otherwise, it's headphones in, head down, maybe say "no cash" if they're real aggressive.
But, isn't the OP like a very religious person? Seems so weird that he's so skeptical and unwilling to help those in need. Not all that Christian-esque.
If you're one of the people that gives money to these beggars, you're part of the problem!
You think you're being Johnny Helpahomeless but all you're doing is feeding their addiction of some type and making it a viable thing for them to harass everyone else.. They aren't buying blankets or food with your money. Donate it to a shelter or other good cause.
You think you're being Johnny Helpahomeless but all you're doing is feeding their addiction of some type and making it a viable thing for them to harass everyone else.. They aren't buying blankets or food with your money. Donate it to a shelter or other good cause.
If you're giving them food directly, that's cool but you do realize they're just turning around and selling your 25 dollar mickey D's gift card for 20 bucks. Hardly any different than laying cash in their hands.
Maybe. It's the same 1-2 guys every day. I also hope that people, particularly in that neighborhood, wouldn't enable that. I don't have a lot of fear of these two guys "scheming."
I know that there are people out there that do that. There are a bunch of them. But I think sometimes those "panhandlers who rip you off" exposes do more harm than good. If someone cons me out of $5, and I stop giving out any money, and that happens, over and over and over again, eventually no one just gives money.
I'd rather take my chances that someone will do something like that, than just never give anything at all.
To me, it would be ideal if everyone stopped giving even one cent to panhandlers.
It would force them to seek shelters which would potentially clean them up. If people instead gave that change to charities that help the homeless, it would go way further in helping them.
Problem is, people give to homeless to make themselves feel better. They can put a face with the good deed and think they're helping that one guy. In actuality, you're allowing him to stay in the same lifestyle and preventing any need for change. (The coin kind and the behavior kind)
I've never heard of the purple meters thing. That's a great idea. I don't think it is a great idea to give somebody a $25 gift card, but who knows (?), that's much better than giving them cash. Meals of course, or even leftovers (I used to do this in New York when I worked there) are a great way to attempt to help somebody, if they really need it.
As for the knock on religion, I can't speak for Hoosier and I am not at all suggesting you don't do these things... but you would probably be shocked what people like me do to help others in need. A lot of money donated (which is admittedly the easy thing to do), sometimes time donated packaging meals or even (gasp) serving meals at a shelter. But I'll tell you, I don't feel a need to acknowledge every person on the street that may or may not be trying to swindle me, etc. You can be a religious person and walk past the guy holding a sign that says "Help".
there is a new twist on it here in Austin, hot chick panhandlers, well, questionable looking chicks with nice tans
Yep. If only these damn homeless people had been aborted they wouldn't be bothering Hoosier at the drive thru.
This is why you have pennies in your car. Throw out a few and watch to see if they get picked up. Two guys approached me in Charlotte once, and luckily there was a McDonalds nearby. I bought them each a hamburger, French fries, milk. They were both very gratious and dug into the food right away, so it does go both ways.
Had another one yesterday at Kroger approach me asking for gas money.
The gas money routine seems to be the most popular one here.
The gas money routine seems to be the most popular one here.
I would disagree. Society is going to have a certain number of people who simply cannot be supported, either on their own or by the system. Giving food or aid to those people isn't necessarily enabling them to live that kick ass life on the streets, it's helping them make it through the day.
I also would love to see some statistics on the # of beds in shelters vs. the # of homeless in U.S. cities. I would guess those shelters are woefully underfunded, overcrowded, and unable to handle your hypothetical.
And maybe it makes me feel better, but it also gives someone a meal or two, who may have no other way to eat. I'm guessing it makes him/her feel way better than it does me.
From, anecdotaly, talking to friends that help homeless people, the worst thing you can do is give panhandlers money. They estimate 90% goes to drugs and alcohol.
Sure giving them your money feels good, but when the glow wears off be sure to think about the reality.
Sure giving them your money feels good, but when the glow wears off be sure to think about the reality.
I am sorry you find this offensive, but these are the times we live in.
I have found that these people are absolutely freaking delighted when they receive donations as small as one dollar. They thank you effusively and promptly scamper away.
Sometimes, they offer to clean your car windshield, but for the most part, they are not very good at that, so I just wave them away.
Just go with it, trickling a few bucks out here and there ... and vote for someone who will grow the jobs market when you get the chance. This is all part of a larger picture.
I have found that these people are absolutely freaking delighted when they receive donations as small as one dollar. They thank you effusively and promptly scamper away.
Sometimes, they offer to clean your car windshield, but for the most part, they are not very good at that, so I just wave them away.
Just go with it, trickling a few bucks out here and there ... and vote for someone who will grow the jobs market when you get the chance. This is all part of a larger picture.
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