Beggars Cant Be Choosers

[jjkrkwood]

I suppose the beautiful warm weather in NYC brings out the beggars and panhandlers. Back in the day, before the economic downful, beggars used to ask for "any small amount you can spare". Even a piece of fruit or a sandwich. Or if you could only spare a "smile" they were thankful for that as well.

 

Now, they ask for DOLLAR bills. I was approached at least 8 times in my short lunch break. Probably a smart move in this economy to up the ante, but Geez..... And for me, the problem is knowing who is really needy and who is scamming....

 

There is a guy thats sits outside my office bldg, with a sign "Homeless Vet, cant find work, will do anything for a days pay". And to cap it off, he sits there and sobs

uncontrollably. The first time I saw him it broke my heart and I gave him $100, all I could spare. People stop and give him advice of where to go to find short term work, etc, but day after day he sits and crys. Then one day, he takes a break after getting a handout, and the waterworks suddenly stop. Seems he turns em on and off at will. Its his gimmick, and people fall for a grown man crying. I felt cheated and betrayed and wanted to confront him, but clearly he has issues so I spared him.

 

How are the "needy" in your neck of the woods ? Do you help street beggars ?

[josephga]

I give them money. At one time I needed help and people did & I guess I feel a obligation too help plus karma. I gave a lady 5.00 the other day. she was standing in the Kroger parking lot holding a sign in one hand a a child in the other. they stand out here all the time at some of the off ramps and exits. Here there's an area called north druid hills sometimes there people there everyday at that exit. In November lady next door lost everything I bought her a 1 way bus ticket to Nashville.

[Guest JackF]

This is a highly debatable topic, but in my opinion, if someone is on the corner and their sign says "hungry, need food, etc" then I personally would rather go to McDonalds/Burger King/Taco Bell, etc and buy them a couple burgers or whatever I can offer them and then give it to them. I've seen news stories on how people actually make good money doing the panhandling at street corners.

If you are really hungry, sure, I'll buy you a burger, but I'm not giving you cash....more than likely they'd forgo the food and buy booze or drugs with the money.

[tom1980]

I used to volunteer my time at and donate pretty generously to a homeless shelter. I kept cards for the shelter on me at all times. I would offer the cards to people who asked me for money. In some cases, I also haled a cab, gave the card to the driver, and paid the fare in advance. Some people became hostile when I told them to seek help at the shelter, but I told them I give all the spare money I could to the shelter and do not give to individuals. I actually had an experience with one of those hostile people the night I met my wife. She told me a few years later that seeing me talk to that woman was one of the things that distinguished me from all the other guys she knew. I had completely forgotten the incident until she brought it up. Weird how those little interactions can ultimately change your life. On ocassion I break my general rule and give to individuals, but it's rare because I don't want to waste my hard earned money on a con artist who doesn't really need it.

[jjkrkwood]

I give them money. At one time I needed help and people did & I guess I feel a obligation too help plus karma. I gave a lady 5.00 the other day. she was standing in the Kroger parking lot holding a sign in one hand a a child in the other. they stand out here all the time at some of the off ramps and exits. Here there's an area called north druid hills sometimes there people there everyday at that exit. In November lady next door lost everything I bought her a 1 way bus ticket to Nashville.

 

Joseph, I certainly agree, if you know of hardship firsthand and can help, you should. Thats how I currently find myself in $56,000 worth of debt helping a friend that cant pay me back.

I understand helping needy panhandlers is NOT a loan and should be unconditional, but actually it should "conditional" on them actually NEEDING the money and not just being Lazy.

[Cooper]

JJ... Thought you might be inspired by this kind gesture.

 

[jimboivyo]

teaching a man to fish is greater than just giving him one.

 

there is little excuse these days for being homeless. lots of programs available to get folks on their feet. the fact is that many of these people choose to live on the street, in that lifestyle. this is still America and we all have the ability to rise above and beyond.

[jjkrkwood]

JJ... Thought you might be inspired by this kind gesture.

 

 

Cooper, perhaps you misunderstand my post. I have NO problem in helping people in need. In fact i would be the first person on board. I have no issue with helping people that are clearly disabled and in need, but I cant accept being "scammed".... My heart bled for the crying Vet, but when I discovered it was an act and he is just a lazy Bum, I was soured...

My biggest fear is that I will be in need one day and there wont be anyone to help me. I am sorry if you didnt receive my post in the manner it was intended.

[Guest JackF]

Cooper, perhaps you misunderstand my post. I have NO problem in helping people in need. In fact i would be the first person on board. I have no issue with helping people that are clearly disabled and in need, but I cant accept being "scammed".... My heart bled for the crying Vet, but when I discovered it was an act and he is just a lazy Bum, I was soured...

My biggest fear is that I will be in need one day and there wont be anyone to help me. I am sorry if you didnt receive my post in the manner it was intended.

 

 

JJ -- I definitely see where you're coming from and I agree with you. I am highly involved with organizations/philanthropic events, trips, etc. and love doing it, but I cannot allow myself to fall for any sort of scammers. Sometimes you have to step back and offer assistance in other ways besides monetary, even though it won't always be taken with a "smile".

(don't take my response negatively, as that is not my intentions; I'm simply agreeing with you and expanding on the topic(s))

[Cooper]

Cooper, perhaps you misunderstand my post. I have NO problem in helping people in need. In fact i would be the first person on board. I have no issue with helping people that are clearly disabled and in need, but I cant accept being "scammed".... My heart bled for the crying Vet, but when I discovered it was an act and he is just a lazy Bum, I was soured...

My biggest fear is that I will be in need one day and there wont be anyone to help me. I am sorry if you didnt receive my post in the manner it was intended.

 

JJ... Perhaps it was your subject title that threw me off, "BEGGERS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS". I find that quote to be rather condescending to those in need. Perhaps "It's Better To Give Than to Receive" would have been more appropriate for a discussion on charitable giving.

[+ Cash4Trash]

I once gave $20.00 to a legless man in a wheelchair at NYC's Bleecker Street subway station. I saw him on television the following week being arrested for cocaine trafficking.

The prick probably had more money than I did.

[+ azdr0710]

this topic was in another forum which I look at a few months ago.......the general conclusion in that thread was that many are scammers and one shouldn't just hand out cash to panhandlers....some in the thread said they'd offered to buy the panhandler food instead of giving cash and were turned down!

 

a few years ago, I gave a buck to a panhandler and a nearby lady came up and berated me for doing that (!)....she said she had a relative that did that and that they all just use it for booze or drugs, so I shouldn't do it....just yesterday at the local food store a guy asked if I could spare some change for food for him and his mother (vaguely pointing her out down the way somewhere)....if I had had time, I would've made the food offer to see how he responded, but I just said no.....

[instudiocity]

Here the signs read, "Why lie, I want a beer!"

[Diverdan]

I never give any money to anyone on the street. I give a lot to charity, through the church I belong to and to other worthwhile causes. However, when I used to give to these "homeless vets" and others of similar ilk, I usually found out that they played their same game and made a lot of money and were not really in need. I like the idea of a card, and like others have offered to take someone to a restaurant to buy them a meal. I have only had one person ever accept it. Over a meal together, I learned a lot about this guy and was able to steer him to resources. I never saw him on the street again, and I can only assume that he found resources that worked for him. I know it is hard sometimes to avoid giving to someone who dresses and acts the part, but offering something other than money, will tell you a lot about how serious the problem might be. I was recently in a western city and stopped in to a Starbucks for a quick coffee and a roll. There was a man out front beggin. I offered to buy him some coffee and breakfast. He refused. The clerk in the store said that he never takes anything but money, but is not really homeless or broke like he portrays himself to be. He said unless this guy moves on, the police will eventually arrest him for loitering, as panhandling, as this is called there, is illegal. I guess we all need to practice "tough love" in these situations.

DD

[BaronArtz]

While I sometimes donate to charities, I NEVER ever give money to beggars. On the other hand, I always make it a point to give $1.00 to street or subway musicians, no matter how mediocre they are. At least, they are making some sort of effort and some are quite good. So I don't mind. But to beggars - NEVER.

 

FYI - I live in NYC. Perhaps my perception would be different if I lived elsewhere.

[+ FreshFluff]

I do help them. My experience is different though; even when I give only a small amount of change, they say thank you.

 

I remember a guy by my old building who did the wailing thing too. I admit that I'd probably do the same if I were in their position.

[Guest Kyle_K]

 

there is little excuse these days for being homeless.

 

As opposed to when there were better, more excusable reasons from our past? I would argue that homelessness is at an all time high right now for reasons which reflect our economic realities which began in late 2006 and continue through this day.

 

lots of programs available to get folks on their feet.

 

That smacks me personally right in the face as snarky elitism. Such as when Romney stated that he did not care about the poor because there were safety nets already in place to care for them. I'm not quite sure what programs you speak of here, but of the few which have just been recently introduced to help those underwater, they really are too little, too late, for many of those whom you already might witness now on the street and/or living in their cars.

 

Unless all are inflicted with catastrophic ruin in their lives, only those who endure it, will ever understand it. But life does indeed go one, as it should, for everyone else.

 

the fact is that many of these people choose to live on the street, in that lifestyle.

 

In my 57 years of life on this planet, I have never met ONE person in my entire life journey who chose to live homeless on the street.

 

Life's circumstances are too vast to discuss here. But to suggest that those of whom you might pass daily in the alleys, on exit-off ramps, looking for food in dumpsters and gutters, and other public areas of public environmental protection for them, was a choice that they made because it was once viewed as a desirable lifestyle destination for them, Is beyond anything I will ever choose to believe.

 

I just reject that belief with all of my soul.

 

Thank you.

[KMEM]

There are as many stories about what and why folks are doing whatever they are doing as there are folks "doing it" but do you realize what you are saying? ..."living in their cars". How many folks on this planet have no idea about owning a car or any of the many things we seem to take for granted here in the US? A huge percentage of the world population would be more than pleased to take our throw away garbage for thier own use in promoting their existence. Be happy with how well we are all are in this country. Try to help others but be aware.

 

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[jimboivyo]

I just reject that belief with all of my soul.

 

well good for you. heaven has a special place for you I'm sure.

 

just couldn't help yourself in making political comparisons, could you? We can agree is disagree like adults.

[+ glutes]

Joseph, I certainly agree, if you know of hardship firsthand and can help, you should. Thats how I currently find myself in $56,000 worth of debt helping a friend that cant pay me back.

I understand helping needy panhandlers is NOT a loan and should be unconditional, but actually it should "conditional" on them actually NEEDING the money and not just being Lazy.

 

 

And spend $300/hour for silicone cock...

 

Put YOUR money where it suits you., hey JJ??

[+ FreshFluff]

JJ... Thought you might be inspired by this kind gesture.

 

 

It's a well made commercial, but it doesn't inspire me. Instead, it makes me feel a painful combination of pity for this man and frustration at how little I these additional coins would help him. Makes me feel frustrated that I'm paying a lawyer instead of him. All in all, it makes me feel like crap, and I don't think that's what the creator of the ad was trying to achieve.

 

The only positive is that one of the major causes of blindness (administration of oxygen to newborns) has been discovered. Maybe donating to medical research is the way to go.

[Guest Kyle_K]

well good for you. heaven has a special place for you I'm sure.

 

I don't understand your hate.

[MsGuy]

[video=youtube;aAQb_iGQmFo]

[orbital sander]

I can only speak to what I know here in Portland. I have volunteered several years in a homeless shelter here. All of the social workers I have met say the same thing. Never give money to the homeless. There are more beds, missions, and free meals in the city than there are homeless. No one starves, and anyone can get a bed (if they come to a shelter sober). Give the money to a charity instead, and it will not be used for drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or other things that the homeless truly do not need.

[+ FreshFluff]

teaching a man to fish is greater than just giving him one.

 

there is little excuse these days for being homeless. lots of programs available to get folks on their feet. the fact is that many of these people choose to live on the street, in that lifestyle. this is still America and we all have the ability to rise above and beyond.

 

I agree with the above proverb. But many homeless people have mental or physical disabilities. Even if they are willing to work and have skills, training and supervising people with certain disabilities (e.g. blindness, schizophrenia) is much more costly than it is for other workers. It may be cheaper to simply support these folks rather than spend the money on training along with incentives to employers to hire them and supervise them.