When we went to the Twins game on Saturday, there was a grip of homeless people outside the Metrodome.

Do YOU give to panhandlers? Why not?

Not always, sometimes. No rhyme or reason really.
When I don't, I feel guilty... whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me...

Sometimes.

As a social work student I'm really familiar with the social services available to them (in this area) so sometimes instead of giving them money I'll point them towards assistance. I have a hard time just giving people money especially if I know very well that they could be getting services for free.

Yes! In fact... my husband walks and talks with them... he has this fascination with people's life stories... and it's always good to help someone

No never. I have considered tossing the granola bars I keep in my car to the homeless folks I see in intersections.
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It depends on where I am. Sometimes I feel too guilty to not give....even if there is a chance it might go to something else.

I used to give food whenever I worked at a resort.

yep. but no always. i feel bad if i dont have anything to give them.

My dad will always go and buy them food at the nearest place. Working in the Salvation Army, he saw them take the money and buy alcohol too many times. (Not all, but some.) If there's a Salvation Army ARC (Adult Rehab Center) in that town, or one of their shelters, he would ask them if they wanted a ride there.

I don't usually (I'm a cold-hearted bitch apparently) but DB does all the time if someone asks and he has some change or a dollar or so handy.

If someone asks me for some change, I'll give it to them.

No.

I've given them food before but never money. A guy used to hang out front of a McDonalds a friend and I used to go to on Wednesday for their really cheap cheeseburger deals. I bought a few extra several times and drove back around and gave them to him.

It always breaks my heart in two to see them, regardless of how they may have gotten to that stage in their life.

I sometimes do since I feel pretty guilty. I did make my boyfriend give this guy some money because he had a dog and I felt so bad for it! My boyfriend didn't want to but yeah...he felt bad for the dog too since we talked about it afterwards.

I don't usually (I'm a cold-hearted bitch apparently) but DB does all the time if someone asks and he has some change or a dollar or so handy.


Guess my heart is ice then because I don't give to panhandlers :no

I did once and my money went right into the closest grocery store and got some beer.

I donate instead to places that offer support to the homeless

Occasionally. Sometimes I'll give them food, or if its hot out a bottle of water.

If I have cash on me.

I used to carry some little ready made packs in Zippy bags for the homeless I'd encounter while driving with my job. There were a surprising amount of homeless that would hang around truckstops asking for money and I usually didn't carry any cash on me.

But they were always grateful for my little care packs. It just had some non-perishables like granola bars or whatever. I also had little packs of dog food made up because a ton of homeless have dogs and I always felt really sad about that even though every animal I saw looked better cared for than its owner.

I used to carry some little ready made packs in Zippy bags for the homeless I'd encounter while driving with my job. There were a surprising amount of homeless that would hang around truckstops asking for money and I usually didn't carry any cash on me.

But they were always grateful for my little care packs. It just had some non-perishables like granola bars or whatever. I also had little packs of dog food made up because a ton of homeless have dogs and I always felt really sad about that even though every animal I saw looked better cared for than its owner.

:wub

I noticed that too about the dogs.

I give them food. Around here you see a lot of people on the corners at gas stations who live in their cars and have run out of gas, so I'll buy them a couple of gallons. I won't give them money.

Yes. Because, regardless if they're lying or not, they've gotten to the point where they need to beg and that's humbling.

There but for the grace of G-d go I. Karma, man, karma.

Never...if they would work as hard for getting a job as they were bumming they wouldnt be in that situation. I myself have been at rock bottom before it is possible to pull yourself out...if you work hard.

Never...if they would work as hard for getting a job as they were bumming they wouldnt be in that situation. I myself have been at rock bottom before it is possible to pull yourself out...if you work hard.


Many are mentally ill. Many are sick. I wish we had more resources to help them. :(

Many are mentally ill. Many are sick. I wish we had more resources to help them. :(

If they are Mentally Ill couldnt a institue be called to take them in, I dont think they are supposed to be left on the streets

My brother went up to a guy once who had a "will work for Food sign" people were just dropping him food off because they "felt sorry" for him My brother stopped to offer him work he didnt except

No, I don't carry cash.

If I have change on money, I'll give it to them. Regardless of what they buy with it(I think it's sad when they buy beer and stuff with it instead of food, but I feel that's their choice), if I can give them a little bit then it makes me happy.

Nope, but we've given plenty of rides, MRE's, blankets, etc. Will continue to, as well.

Never...if they would work as hard for getting a job as they were bumming they wouldnt be in that situation. I myself have been at rock bottom before it is possible to pull yourself out...if you work hard.

wow, that's kind of hard to read. MOST homeless people are mentally ill. MANY are veterans. MANY are disabled.

you really can't judge other people's situations like that. you have NO idea why they are the way they are. there are burdens in life that are simply too hard to overcome for someone who has no support. if you have always been able to "pull yourself out," then you are lucky. but have you ever been mentally ill and thought that the government was recording your every move, suffering with night terrors about molestation as a child, without so much as a single friend or family member to turn to for support, and missing one of your hands? that's what this guy fred, who lives on my block, mumbles to me about when i pass. what should he do...apply at mcdonalds and magically fix his disability and cure his mental illness (when he clearly doesn't even realize that he is paranoid and that his thoughts are dysfunctional)?

when people actually get to the point of having to live on the street and beg for money, you can guarantee that there is something has gone pretty seriously wrong in their lives. there are a lot of homeless people on my block (i live in a downtown area). i know a lot of them. i don't often give money but i do bring sandwiches. anyways, if you actually got to know some of these people, you'd learn that it is usually NOT just laziness.

it makes me want to :tears to hear that people can walk by these people who so clearly need help and just think, "they should just work harder!" what happened to our compassion? what happened to helping out your fellow human being?

I never give money. Usually their signs say something like "homeless and hungry, god bless" and I'll go buy them lunch or something. Last time I brought a guy on the corner Subway, a bottle of water, and some granola bars.

Sometimes.

As a social work student I'm really familiar with the social services available to them (in this area) so sometimes instead of giving them money I'll point them towards assistance. I have a hard time just giving people money especially if I know very well that they could be getting services for free.

i was a social work student was well (just finished my master's) so ITA

If they are Mentally Ill couldnt a institue be called to take them in, I dont think they are supposed to be left on the streets

My brother went up to a guy once who had a "will work for Food sign" people were just dropping him food off because they "felt sorry" for him My brother stopped to offer him work he didnt except

Actually, many of them USED to be institutionalized, many of them would be institutionalized today, if Ronald Reagan hadn't had massive de-institutionalization of the mentally ill.

wow, that's kind of hard to read. MOST homeless people are mentally ill. MANY are veterans. MANY are disabled.

you really can't judge other people's situations like that. you have NO idea why they are the way they are. there are burdens in life that are simply too hard to overcome for someone who has no support. if you have always been able to "pull yourself out," then you are lucky. but have you ever been mentally ill and thought that the government was recording your every move, suffering with night terrors about molestation as a child, without so much as a single friend or family member to turn to for support, and missing one of your hands? that's what this guy fred, who lives on my block, mumbles to me about when i pass. what should he do...apply at mcdonalds and magically fix his disability and cure his mental illness (when he clearly doesn't even realize that he is paranoid and that his thoughts are dysfunctional)?

when people actually get to the point of having to live on the street and beg for money, you can guarantee that there is something has gone pretty seriously wrong in their lives. there are a lot of homeless people on my block (i live in a downtown area). i know a lot of them. i don't often give money but i do bring sandwiches. anyways, if you actually got to know some of these people, you'd learn that it is usually NOT just laziness.

it makes me want to :tears to hear that people can walk by these people who so clearly need help and just think, "they should just work harder!" what happened to our compassion? what happened to helping out your fellow human being?


Well there is not a lot of homeless or I should say beggers (there isnt any homeless) around here- and what are, are the lazy ones...but again..I am asking shouldnt people with actual mental problems who can not take care of themselves be put in a institute where they are fed and medicated (since they dont have anyone to take care of them)

I'll give the people who stand at the light before you turn into post whatever change or singles I have in my car if I get stopped at the light. Sometimes if I have unopened food or drinks in my car I'll give them that instead.

If they are Mentally Ill couldnt a institue be called to take them in, I dont think they are supposed to be left on the streets

My brother went up to a guy once who had a "will work for Food sign" people were just dropping him food off because they "felt sorry" for him My brother stopped to offer him work he didnt except

in response to the bolded part...no, there are institutes that are willing to take these people even though they are mentally ill because in the 1980s we decided that mental institutions should be done away with and community treatment should be offered instead so people can stay in their own communities rather than be locked up. problem being, there is no funding for good community treatment programs, and people don't even know they exist because people figure that the homeless can just "get a job" like everyone else
:banghead

If they are Mentally Ill couldnt a institue be called to take them in, I dont think they are supposed to be left on the streets

My brother went up to a guy once who had a "will work for Food sign" people were just dropping him food off because they "felt sorry" for him My brother stopped to offer him work he didnt except

Sadly, state funded facilities are rare. Many must be sponsored by a shelter or case worker. If they don't GO to a shelter, they won't get help. There are outreach counselors, etc. that can talk to them, but ultimately, it's a catch-22 of disasterous proportion: they're mentally ill adults who have the right to make a decision about their healthcare and living situation...but they're too sick to do so :bigsadeyes

So sad :(

My friend (the exDB) is a doctor who works at homeless shelters and on the mobile units. He sees it all. It's not just as simple as "get a job" :neutral

Well there is not a lot of homeless or I should say beggers (there isnt any homeless) and what are, are the lazy ones...but again..I am asking shouldnt people with actual mental problems who can not take care of themselves be put in a institute where they are fed and medicated (since they dont have anyone to take care of them)

no homeless? seriously? do you think these people actually have homes or shelters they can go to every night?

i'm from wisconsin, and i'm fairly certain that people don't freeze to death outside every winter because they had places to go and just didn't feel like it :rolleyes

no homeless? seriously? do you think these people actually have homes or shelters they can go to every night?

i'm from wisconsin, and i'm fairly certain that people don't freeze to death outside every winter because they had places to go and just didn't feel like it :rolleyes

I SAID there isnt any homeless AROUND HERE

I SAID there isnt any homeless AROUND HERE

my bad...did not get the "around here" part...sorry! :tu

Nope. However, If I need day labor, I will offer them work if they have a need-work, out of work, etc kind of sign.
Sadly i find many of them don't need the work badly enough to work.

my bad...did not get the "around here" part...sorry! :tu

NP will make that sound better so others dont misunderstnd me

Yes. Because, regardless if they're lying or not, they've gotten to the point where they need to beg and that's humbling.

There but for the grace of G-d go I. Karma, man, karma.

I'm the same way. Downtown Atlanta has a serious homeless problem and I end up giving money almost every time I'm approached there, even though I've known the people have been flat out lying to my face (like the lady who said she needed 5 dollars to get into the homeless shelter and then walked in the opposite direction of it).

Most the time I feel stupid when I give them money but the guilt I feel when I don't outweighs it. You just never know when a few dollars is going to help change someone's day (and life).

when we have it i give it out because i have been in there shoes being that we were homeless thanks to being totally unprepared when dh was medically temporarily retired from the army . and then again when the dr said he could not work at all. money was more than tight and being that i was my dh's only caretaker and that the va was slacking greatly on their job being lazy had absolutely nothing to do it. course i guess i could have just asked my 3 yr , 6 yr old and 8 yr olds to go get jobs so it would not appear we were lazy or i could have left them to care for their dad and i could have worked.

sorry touchy subject for me. because we never really know everything that is going on and some of them have no choice but to be there and not all of them are drunk or druggies and even then we do not know why they are that way.

and yes i know some people abuse it. but i can guarantee that the people that were in the shelter where we were everyday were not doing drugs or drinking and yeah they panhandled and some got jobs and some were not able to work and since it takes forever and a day to get help we were put on waiting list for everything except foodstamps and the only reason why we got those was because we had kids. ( at least that is what we were told)

ugh ok i am walking away from this one sorry it is just to personal for me.

I typically offer food over money, if they refuse the food then I know they must not be desperate enough. Also there ARE panhandlers out there who make hundreds of dollars a day and live in decent houses, drive decent cars... They just prey on the sympathies of others. I'd really rather donate to a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.

I can't tell you how many times I have been 1 paycheck away from being homeless.

I keep $10 McDonalds gift cards in my glovebox and hand them out.

Yes, I don't see why not.

back when I was home I didnt because I knew most of them ( I worked in mental health and they were clients) and knew that they had money, they just were out there because they had nothing to do at the time. I dont usually for the sheer fact that I dont carry cash.

I can't tell you how many times I have been 1 paycheck away from being homeless.

I keep $10 McDonalds gift cards in my glovebox and hand them out.

What a great idea! I might look into that! Thanks!

No.

sometimes. :dunno if it's just some change & i have it, then i usually do. but i hate when people walk up to your car window at a stop-light. (not talking about the fund-raisers, the panhandlers)

Yes, sometimes. Usually only a buck or two. One time I gave a guy 5 bucks, because it was all I had on me.....he looked at it like I had just given him gold and couldn't stop thanking me. I watched him walk right over to the nearest food place.

no, usually when i see them i'm always trying to get somewhere plus i seldom ever carry cash.

one time i was in san francisco at fishermans wharf, needless to say there was a guy or two that had a sign that said "why lie? i need a beer"

great way to ask for change. :sarcasm

I give them food or water (because I always have one or the other with me, most likely food, I'm a fatty).

I never give them money. I usually don't like where it'll be going.

I don't carry cash on me so I can't usually give it to them. If I have the time I will go and get them food. But usually I'm 20 minutes behind, I'm late for everything. I feel bad about it but I live in a real touristy area and there's always places hiring in the off season because all the college kids have left so I'll usually point them in the direction of somewhere hiring. It just bugs me when they'll be standing right in front of some place that's hiring. I don't know, I work for everything I have and I live paycheck to paycheck. Granted that yes, those people might have mental illnesses, there are places like Red Cross that will help them.

i dont give them money, just cuz i know some bums......

they are friends with the mother...and they make a lot of money doin it, and some of them just go and buy drugs or booze, not all,but some, and i dont want to support that.

i do however take them to the nearest fast food and let them get whatever meal they want, or sometimes ill be leaving a restraunt and ill give them my leftovers.

i feel bad for them, when i was in highschool i worked at mcdonalds, and a bum came in to put in an application, and my manager wouldnt hire him because he didnt have a good appearance for the restraunt and he kinda smelled.i thought it was really sad. so getting a job, at least where im from isnt always easy for the bums.
i've also invited several of them to come to church with me on sunday, i used to help out around my church back home, and bums would come in asking for help, and we just couldnt help them. its one thing to help them if they were going to church and actualy trying to better themselves, and another if they were just coming for food or money. so when they would start to come to church, we had a hospitality team, that had rooms in there house they would let them sleep in every once in a while.

I do sometimes. But I have also given food not just spare change or money.

Yes. Because, regardless if they're lying or not, they've gotten to the point where they need to beg and that's humbling.

There but for the grace of G-d go I. Karma, man, karma.

:yes

i almost never carry cash. i don't see many homeless here in va beach but i really don't go to the city much. i have volunteered for soup kitchens in the past. i don't like to just give money because there are those that make a decent living off of people's generosity. but if someone stopped me and asked me for a meal, i ain't rich but i'll get them some things from the dollar menu.

Once in a while, I'll hand them whatever change I have in my console (I always have a ton for some reason) if the mood strikes me. I've been known to buy them hotdogs at Orioles games, and I brought one guy McDonald's. I'd rather give them something to eat.

Not around here. There is a couple in Annap. who are in jail now who were fakes and would park their BMW at Shopper's and walk down to the intersections to collect money.

If I happen to have some cash on me and they don't come up to me I more than likely will.

But most of the time I don't carry cash. And even if I do they usually come up to me. I'm sorry but coming up to me like some have puts me on an automatic defensive. I don't like or appreciate it when they come up me when I have my back turned and it is dark out. I also don't like or appreciate when they come in between me and my kids. And I don't like when they use "I'm a vet" when they see the decals. Some of them may very well be but I feel as if they are playing an easy card when they see the decals.

If I have money on me then yes I do. You don't know everyones life story and why they are homeless. I don't assume they did it to themselves. I just help if I can. A good dead is a good dead and the money I give them is less that I will spend of crap I don't need. Weather my money made a homeless persons day b/c they bought a 40 or some food doesn't matter to me. All that matters is that little bit of money made their day

I don't usually give change or cash, but I DO very often turn around, go buy a meal like at Jack in the Box or something, and bring it back to them :), they have ALWAYS been greatly appreciative of it. I even did that once when I was ridding my bike and saw a guy standing on the corner of Carl's Jr.

when i used to see them back where i lived, i'd normally just tell them where the rescue mission/homeless shelter was.

the rescue mission could give them a whole lot more than i ever could, hot meals, showers, a place to sleep, drug/alcohol recovery(for those that needed it), and clothing. they give them community service assignments to help contribute to the development of their work experience and help them find jobs.

in high school i used to donate a lot to the rescue mission so that's probably why i knew where it was lol.

I used too until one day I saw one holding a sign asking for 5's, 10's, and 20's.

No! It's not that I don't feel bad for them because I do. I just feel the time they spend asking for money they could have a job at MCD's that provides a uniform or somethimg else. My Dad works at the VA so at the turn in there are always 1 or 2 who live at the VA and have things provided for them but still feel the need to beg whent they can work just choose not to.

I don't. I know they aren't all the same, but I have seen too many times when someone gives them money and they just spend it on drugs, beer or whatnot. I offered food once and the guy told me to go to h***. So we don't.

Generally I don't. I would buy them food, but they rarely take me up on that offer.

Good question! I grew up in NYC where the homeless were a constant presence, and while I feel genuinely bad for those who are down and out I rather donate to organizations whose goal it is to rehabilitate these people, teach them skills and get them off the streets for good.

No! If I gave money to every pan handler, I would be broke! Plus, I see some of them sitting out there all day long. They should be using that time to go to a shelter, seek help and get placement in a job.

When I have something to give, I give it. Be it money or food. I figure that whether they are lying or not is on them. *I* want the be the best person I can be, and I think that giving to people in need is the right thing to do. At the end of the day, no matter what they spent the money I gave them on, I did what I knew was right.

When I was a teenager I was traveling and got stranded in Seattle. I had to panhandle to rasie the money to get home. If it wasn't for people understanding and kicking down I do not know where I would be today. I do give to panhandlers but mostly young kids like I was who xan still turn things around.

I don't only because I rarely have cash or change on me. Where we live there aren't any homeless, but as we go into houston ( which isn't that often) we see them more. I am used to panhandlers where I'm from, but I stopped giving to them and instead would hand them a card my dad gave me which tells them about the shelter that is in the area. Most will just dump the card because they wanted cash rather then help. I'm not cold hearted,i give to shelters donate food and other supplies, but I just rather know what I am giving will actually HELP people for longer then 10 seconds.

Sometimes, we don't give them money, we usually give them food, so we know it doesn't go to drugs.

SO and I have kind of adopted a homeless man and his dog. We bring him food, food for the dog, warm clothes. SO gave him a pair of flight boots. I don't really give him money, but he does live in his truck and he has to move it regularly, so he needs gas money.