Beggars Cant Be Choosers

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

 

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[orbital sander]

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no money down. Pay nothing until you catch your first fish!

 

 

easy financing available. No credit necessary.

(firstborn and photo id required.)

 

Lol..

[Lohengrin1979]

Here in LA, it's painfully noticeable that a lot of the homeless in downtown or on some type of drug. I encounter them all the time when I'm out in Little Tokyo or working at the Music Center. I never give them money because I know where it'll go but I do hand them gift cards to McDonald's that I have on hand. I also buy Groupon deals for fast food and keep those on hand for them. I figure they can take it or not, but at least they can get some food. I doubt they'd be able to sell a McD's gift card for food, but who knows?

 

 

Lohengrin

[jjkrkwood]

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.

 

I think my main point of intention was that some of those in need, Really ARENT !

[Guest verymarried]

Mr room mate from college valued honesty above all virtues. As we would walk the lower east side of Manhattan from school to our apartment and be approached by people for money, he would politely ask what purpose they had for use of the money. Religiously, he would hand over money if they said their intent was for purchase of alcoholic beverage. If they answerd otherwise, he would keep on walking.

[jjkrkwood]

I think at least in NYC we become desensitized because of the sheer amount of needy people llooking for handouts Walk down any cioty block and you will see at least 3 people panhandling. Deciding WHO to give to becomes a major chore, and you almost feel an obligation to help, but a little voice keeps saying "be wary".....

[Decatur Guy]

I don't give money. It's impossible ascertain immediate emergency from way-of-life scamming. I will, however, buy someone food. The truly hungry person will take you up on it.

[jjkrkwood]

To answers Coopers query about the title of the thread, it really had to do with the beggars asking for dollar bills these days rather than "spare change" or "anything you can afford"...

 

I really dont want to be told WHAT to give. Giving is from the goodness of your heart and the size of your pocketbook.....

[instudiocity]

To answers Coopers query about the title of the thread, it really had to do with the beggars asking for dollar bills these days rather than "spare change" or "anything you can afford"...

JJ it could be something so innocent as the amount of change necessary to make a go of it would so weight down their trousers that they couldn't keep their pants up.

 

That and when's the last time you saw a bank or merchant or other patrons in line want to see coins accepted for a purchase?

[+ Charlie]

Because I have no way of knowing whether the individual beggar really has no choice but to ask for money for food, or if he will actually use it for that purpose, I never give to him, but I give large monthly donations to a local rescue mission that feeds people, so I know that's where the money really goes. Although I am an atheist, I trust that religious organization to do the right thing with the money.

 

The most inventive approach I ever received was from a young man who came up to me in Washington Square and asked if I could spare $1.75 for a martini (yes, it was a very long time ago).

[jjkrkwood]

Because I have no way of knowing whether the individual beggar really has no choice but to ask for money for food, or if he will actually use it for that purpose, I never give to him, but I give large monthly donations to a local rescue mission that feeds people, so I know that's where the money really goes. Although I am an atheist, I trust that religious organization to do the right thing with the money.

 

The most inventive approach I ever received was from a young man who came up to me in Washington Square and asked if I could spare $1.75 for a martini (yes, it was a very long time ago).

 

 

 

LOL C., now you cant even get the olive for $1.75

[KMEM]

Because I have no way of knowing whether the individual beggar really has no choice but to ask for money for food, or if he will actually use it for that purpose, I never give to him, but I give large monthly donations to a local rescue mission that feeds people, so I know that's where the money really goes. Although I am an atheist, I trust that religious organization to do the right thing with the money.

 

The most inventive approach I ever received was from a young man who came up to me in Washington Square and asked if I could spare $1.75 for a martini (yes, it was a very long time ago).

 

Did you join him for the drink, give him the money or just leave? I suppose it could depend upon how he looked, etc.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Guest]

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 ?

 

Yes, I do help street beggars, but certainly not by directly handing them out money. Firstly, my regular job is to help the indigent, but I get paid for this, so I don't consider that charity. I do also donate some time completely gratis to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which provides free medical care to those who don't qualify for government programs (often illegal aliens, for example). I do also give several hundred a year to local food banks, local "Meals on Wheels" programs, and to the more national feed the hungry organization called "Feeding America": http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/human-services/feeding-america-in-chicago-il-2331

You can also donate (as I do) clothing and/or other goods to Goodwill Industries, an organization which helps get homeless people back into the workforce and off the streets:

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3764

A friend of mine once told me a story in which he went up to someone who was holding a sign saying "Will work for food" and asked if he would help him paint a fence. The supposedly indigent man lay out a slew of epithets at my friend, who thought better of ever doing that again. In general, I would strongly discourage directly handing out money to people on the street. More often than not, it merely helps sustain unhealthy lifestyles, especially substance abuse. There are much better ways to help those in need. If my post doesn't give you enough ideas, cruise websites such as charitynavigator.org and BBB. Once you start giving to one organization, others will present themselves, and I would concentrate on those which are highly rated by Charity Navigator (3* or 4*) or other such charity watchdogs.

[+ Charlie]

Did you join him for the drink, give him the money or just leave? I suppose it could depend upon how he looked, etc.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

He was kinda cute, but I just laughed and moved on.

[+ FreshFluff]

For those who do give to panhandlers, how much do you typically give? I have yet to give anything close to $100; for me, it's usually a dollar or two.

 

Unicorn, I think the reason people give to panhandlers instead of organizations is psychological; people are more motivated to help when they can see the person they're helping. There are studies on charitable giving that show this. It's just more satisfying to know the stories of the people you're giving to, which is why those "adopt a child in Africa for pennies a day" programs are so popular.

 

Yeah, the risk of the money being spent on drugs is a problem. I've thought about buying food, but I usually run into them on my way somewhere (on the subway), and leaving the station and coming back is too time consuming. I offered to buy a sick woman medicine once. She was clearly homeless and was lying down on a bench, though she wasn't asking for money. She also seemed truly ill rather than coming down off drugs. She turned me down.

[Guest]

Yes, I'm a sucker for these "adopt a child" programs. I sponsor 4 children this way (not related to US panhandlers, though). As someone who works with the homeless every working day, you can believe me when I tell you that most cash given to panhandlers ends up being used for drugs or alcohol. Unlike what many Libertarians would have you believe, substance abuse kills (actually, most true Libertarians I know don't deny this, but simply consider substance abusers' lives an unnecessary drain on society). Consider this: if you regularly give to panhandlers, one of these days you will give them the amount that tips them over and ends up killing them. Also consider this:

http://www.asylum.com/2008/10/03/panhandlers-make-more-than-the-average-worker/

There are so many ways to help the homeless, including donating to food banks, shelters, and programs to help the homeless get back on their feet. Wouldn't it feel better to donate to organizations designed to help the homeless, rather than potentially assisting in a panhandler's suicide?

[josephga]

For those who do give to panhandlers, how much do you typically give? I have yet to give anything close to $100; for me, it's usually a dollar or two.

 

Unicorn, I think the reason people give to panhandlers instead of organizations is psychological; people are more motivated to help when they can see the person they're helping. There are studies on charitable giving that show this. It's just more satisfying to know the stories of the people you're giving to, which is why those "adopt a child in Africa for pennies a day" programs are so popular.

 

Yeah, the risk of the money being spent on drugs is a problem. I've thought about buying food, but I usually run into them on my way somewhere (on the subway), and leaving the station and coming back is too time consuming. I offered to buy a sick woman medicine once. She was clearly homeless and was lying down on a bench, though she wasn't asking for money. She also seemed truly ill rather than coming down off drugs. She turned me down.

 

 

I just give a buck or two. sometimes just the coins in my trucks ashtray. I've also cooked and served food for the Atlanta feed the hungry on holidays

[+ FreshFluff]

As a result of this thread, I've bought dinner for 2 street guys in the last few days. It was more expensive than I thought---$8-10 to get them a pizza or big deli sandwich, but that amount means nothing to me in reality. One of them, after I got him a Coke separately, told me repeatedly how incredibly grateful he was even though it was a really small gesture. He seemed like he was on drugs, but maybe having a meal in his stomach will help him.

[jjkrkwood]

As a result of this thread, I've bought dinner for 2 street guys in the last few days. It was more expensive than I thought---$8-10 to get them a pizza or big deli sandwich, but that amount means nothing to me in reality. One of them, after I got him a Coke separately, told me repeatedly how incredibly grateful he was even though it was a really small gesture. He seemed like he was on drugs, but maybe having a meal in his stomach will help him.

 

Actually it always makes me feel good when I give to people I know truly need and appreciate it....