Do you give money to homeless people?

[~Fabulousity~]

Originally Posted by Thruhvnseyes

I used to always give a dollar here and there to a homeless man that I always see on my drive home from work. I felt bad for him because he is crippled and hunched back. Plus, I always see him reading. So I figured he was alcohol and drug free. A few months ago, my friend told me that he is her patient (she works for a clinic at skid row) and he is a heroine addict! She said that he shoots heroine on his legs so that people wont see his "track" marks on his arm! I'm never giving him any $$$ again. I've been trying to give this homeless lady money (I always see her infront of Starbucks) and I've also tried to give her food, but she either runs away or declines my help. I feel bad for her because I think she is mentally ill.

That's odd...do you think that alcoholics and addicts can't read?

[Mininana]

I once offered a "homeless" man a pack of cookies and he said HELL NO.

so I drove off.

[nooch]

Originally Posted by ~Fabulousity~

That's odd...do you think that alcoholics and addicts can't read?

I'm glad somebody else caught that.

[vanbruntsa]

i refuse to give homeless people money for the following reasons:

1) it hurts our economy more that it is beneficial to the homeless bc they are not getting taxed on the money that we are giving them. it is not fair that i am getting taxed and they are not.

2) if they can say hello or smile, then they can work.

just my 2 cents.

[LVuittonLover]

Originally Posted by sjunky13

Yes I give them money or food. I know some want it to buy a bottle and if it helps them get by on the streets then who am I to judge. I used to live in NYC and have seen people go from rich and powerfull to stuggling and living week to week, paycheck to paycheck. Any one of us could become homeless. I pray it never happens to myself or any of my family and friends, the world is a crappy place when your poor. Being homeless can also make you mentally ill, imagine having to look for a place just to pee and to have constant fear that someone could kill you while you sleep. I used to think wow why dont they just get a job? But when your down and out and all of your energy goes to just surviving one day. Its hard to pull yourself up . Image we live in a world where people are laying around in filth while thousands pass by them and ignore them everyday.

My parents always told us growing up, that the only difference between you and them is ONE paycheck. Like I said previously, if I have some change in my pocket, I'll give it, but I'm not pulling out my wallet. I would like to think they are using the change to get a $1 burger from McDonalds and not a drug or drink fix.

[jayjay77]

I do not give to homeless people on the streets, but I do give to:
- a charity that runs a soup kitchen
- a charity that helps people who have had addiction or criminal issues get back on their feet and get jobs

I would like to do more for the homeless, but sometimes I'm not sure what is the best way to help them.

[cupcake]

I haven't read through the entire thread, but just wanted to add that I give money to homeless people on occasion. And, I tend to do it more in the winter than in the summer. Depending on how the person looks and whether or not I've seen them before, I also offer to buy food.

I used to get peeved by the thought that someone might take the five bucks I give them and go buy booze or cigarettes with it, but I kind of changed my way of thinking on it. What they do with the money is between them and God; once it leaves my hands it's no longer in my control. I give the money hoping it will do them well and, no matter what, I'm sure that paltry amount means more to them than it does to me.

[MidNiteSun]

I can't say no to people. I also work downtown but I don't see many of them. When they ask, I usually do give them a few bucks. The thing is that I don't carry cash, ever. One time, this guy asked me & I told him that I didn't have cash. He started saying mean things to me.

[MidNiteSun]

btw - it was really nice of you to bring them cat food. I know a guy that is really poor & has a helping dog. When I buy treats for my babies every week, I buy extra & give it to his dog. He (the dog) loves me now.

[~Fabulousity~]

Originally Posted by LVuittonLover

My parents always told us growing up, that the only difference between you and them is ONE paycheck. Like I said previously, if I have some change in my pocket, I'll give it, but I'm not pulling out my wallet. I would like to think they are using the change to get a $1 burger from McDonalds and not a drug or drink fix.

so very true for the majority which is why the homeless should not be looked down on and I am grateful everyday for everything I have.

[skylarky1986]

I normally don't give any money, not if they ask me to. But sometimes when you see an elderly homeless, then I do.. they break my heart (it's like seeing your own grandfather on the street, that kinda thing)

[renie]

Originally Posted by ~Fabulousity~

I work in Baltimore City also and there are LOTS of beggars here, some I dont know if they are homeless or not.

a guy my DH went to college with was caught by some people acting like a homeless person and have since found out a number of people have done that around school. I refuse to give to 'homeless' people money - I instead give to charity or soup kitchens.

[PurseFanatic]

The government doesn't do anything for people once they are back home, stating that as a person who has 8 veterans in her family.

and no I do not give money. I give $5 gift cards to McDonald's or sonic, which seems funny but if they really do need food they would be thankful for it. That being said I usually only give 1 or 2 a month.

[PurseFanatic]

Originally Posted by vanbruntsa

2) if they can say hello or smile, then they can work. just my 2 cents.

I have to agree, I had a friend with severe cerebral palsy. He could not speak at all. He applied for grants and got a laptop computer, had a friend rig a stand on his wheelchair and went and found a minimum wage job giving tours at the local museum. he programmed the whole tour into his laptop and bought really expensive software that sounded like an actual person, not an electronic person! He did that for years.

[Thruhvnseyes]

Originally Posted by ~Fabulousity~

That's odd...do you think that alcoholics and addicts can't read?

lol... I just thought that he'd spend his money buying food and books. Since he's always reading a new book everytime I see him.