Giving Money to Homeless (Page 2)

There, but for the grace of god...

I had lucky birth circumstances in that I have my mental and physical health and freedom to pursue my life as I see fit. I'm not going to look down my nose at those who, for whatever reason, find living on the mean streets their best or only option.

Panhandling is their job.

 So easy a caveman can do it?

I don't think that refusing to give money to "professional" panhandlers is the same as not thinking it right to help homeless people.   I am fortunate, others need help.   I have given sometimes, but normally do not.

My husband believes in his obligation of almsgiving and is way more likely to give money to those who ask.

I am a grant writer for an organization whose mission it is to end and prevent homelessness. We do this by systematically removing the barriers that keep people homeless....health care, mental illness, addiction, and life skills.  If it were as simple as just getting a job, there would be no homeless. Most people are homeless for one of the above reasons PLUS they have no support systems...burned bridges, etc.

Last year we ended homelessness for 611 men, women and children through our programs.  But they have to want to take an active part in their lifestyle change....we charge rent, we drug test, and during the day they either need to be in our hospital, rehab, job training, or a job. 

As far as the guys on the street, that's a personal decision.  Most of the homeless here know me so they just say hi.  But I give more often than not......what are they probably doing with the money?  Drugs and alcohol.  Does it say anywhere that I should be the judge of who is worthy and who isn't?  My responsibility is to give if I think they need, and if they are scamming me, then the responsibility shifts to them....they have to answer for that, I just have to answer for being kind.  Can you give to everyone?  No.  Is it okay to be a chump?  No.  Should you take crap for not giving?  No.  Like I said, it's a personal decision to be decided on a case by case basis.

But the best rule of thumb for giving comes from my grandma.....do a kind deed for someone daily and keep it to yourself...tell no one.  I like this. 

Scrufffeee,

Please tell me this was an attempt at humor that just came out all wrong..... 

I haven't read thru this whole thread, but I did want to comment on what I do.

I don't give homeless people money, but I do give homeless people food.

Once I was walking through Philly, and I literally only a had a $20 bill on me and my ID. I guess I looked like I was definitely carrying some cash, so a homeless guy approached me for money. I told him I didn't have any (I really didn't - there was no way I could have given him my $20 bill because then I'd be stuck without money), but he didn't believe me. So, he called me a b!tch and spit at me. (Fortunately, I managed to duck out of the way and not get hit --- thank goodness!!!)

I did interview a homeless person once for an article I was writing. It was really kinda cool to hear his story and how he got to where he is. If anyone has ever been around a homeless person (or homeless people), I think they would stay clear of making a blanket statement that they should all or are all capable of having jobs and making money themselves. It's not as easy as one would think and bringing one out of that hole of homelessness and into a position where he/she's making money (no matter how crummy the job) can be a long and difficult process.

I have to say that I am not consistent in my approach to this.

I don't always respond by giving anything. Other times, I will give a little change. Other times I will give anywhere from $1-$20 if I feel led to do so. On occasion, I have only agreed to buy a meal for the person instead of giving money (usually fastfood). Once I invited a couple into a nice restaurant and we all ordered a nice meal. They could have been scamming me, but I didn't care at that point...it wasn't the issue. I wanted to do something for them.

I have occasionally donated time at shelters, or made a bunch of sandwiches up and handed them out downtown.

I will say I often have a hardtime going dowtown socially now, because its a just a couple blocks from where I know there are a ton of people sleeping on the sidewalk, and preparing to make it through another night (regardless of their reasons for being there).

It makes me sad sometimes. Other times I can be very indifferent/hard about it. That bothers me in itself...

I'm not always Mr. Niceguy, and I am far from being a pushover.

I read a good book called "Under The Bridge" about a couple of guys who decided to step away from the "good lives" and live on the streets for a year in order to see the situation from the ground level. Good book.

Someone else mentioned the Will Smith movie (The Pursuit of Happiness). After seeing that movie I felt like giving $20 to the first needy person I met - no questions asked. The other worrisome thing is how temporary that mindset was.....

Dan

When I worked in Atlanta, I always brown bagged my lunch but would still go "out" to lunch with the group.  At least 2-3 times per week I would be asked for money on our way to lunch.  Every time I either offered them my lunch or told them I would buy them lunch.  Only 2 times did I ever get taken up on it!

The coolest one was at IM Wisconsin, I was coming back from a practice swim and a homeless guy asked me what was going on.  After I explained to him IM, I gave him my Gatorade Endurance that I was about to open up. (Free from the swim).  I saw him sipping on that all day long when I walked by him 3 times later.  I ended up giving him 3 more that night. 

But my point is that if they say they are hungry and you offer them food and they refuse...
If they say they need $9 for a place to stay and you offer them up your couch and they refuse....(I did this last week)

I think for the majority, it's a choice.  McDonald's isn't going to call you back, they are going to hire you on the spot and then you have a job.  Use the programs that are available or live with your choices.  Note: this does not apply to the minority that have legitimate problems (mental, etc)

Yes I give.  I'm always skeptical about what they will do with the money, but my thought is that perhaps my gift will be the one that makes a difference in their lives.  I certainly would hate to think that not giving my pocket change hurt someone.

Perhaps, the time I smile, say hello, acknowledge that this person is a human being, and give the spare change in my pocket, perhaps...just perhaps that will be the factor that gives a person a measure of strength; and if it isn't, what damage has the act done?

Mother Teresa was once asked how she felt about the continuing increase in poverty in Calcutta despite all of her efforts.

She said something like, "What, you think this is about success? This is not about success, this is about faith."

We are our brother's/sister's keeper and we always need to acknowledge their humanity. That's the most important thing, I think.

Sometimes the most Christlike material response is an apple. When given in love, who knows the grace that may flow from that gift.

(and I also think Mike's Christian charity is consistent with his conservative beliefs... he believes in personal responsibility, and he is taking personal responsibility for the pain of his fellow human beings...)

You don't judge the beggar, but the worthiness of Possum's gift?