Homeless

[yourbeginnings]

When I lived in the city, panhandlers would ask for a dime or a quarter or even .50. Now when I go to download Atlanta, they are asking for a $1 or a $5. Inflation.

[Gootsy]

I donate goods from time to time... Though I'm not really thinking about the homeless when I do it.

Should do something for them, since the homeless situation is pretty bad in certain areas.

[tontamoo]

I donate things to the local St. Vincent de Paul's and other similar agencies. Whenever panhandlers ask me for money, I don't like giving them any. Rather, I offer to give them food instead.

[mattdeesgirl]

I am a teacher in a low-income school district. We do a lot of things for our needy students. We have a backpack program where the kids get to take a backpack home full of food and stuff for the weekend (they eat when they are in school during the week). This is just one example of the great programs our district has.

[vacationofwealth]

I volunteer for Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly. Since I have a lot of free time working from home I prefer to deal with the elderly as so many people focus on children. The elderly who usually have no families need the support. As far as the homeless goes it is amazing how many of them want money to buy booze or smokes, yet if you offer to buy them a dinner instead of giving them money they say no. I much rather prefer to give my time as it is more valuable than a few bucks.

[rainysparadigm]

Too any panhandlers here are seriously just after booze money. Phx has great resources for homeless, many shelters with overflows, job finding assistance, etc.

I have given things like 50 cents for someone who doesnt have enough bus fair, but they are at the stop, and they get on the bus with me (when I took public transport). I have called 911 for 'bums' that are obviously drunk passed out in direct sun. That's a bad thing to do in a desert summer.

But do I give money to the bum on the corner? No.
Do I feel guilty? Not at all.
Not my responsibility.

And for people that say, someday it might be you.
IF it did, I would march my a$$ down to a shelter and get myself on track.

I do not donate to religious organizations.

I do however, almost always click Yes when Petsmart asks if I would donate $1 to a homeless shelter. I do drop money in various donation collections for animal or children welfare when I'm out and have some change, and I basically gave $100 to a dog rescue to save a dog from being put down. He now has a happy home I hear

Instead of donating to Goodwill, etc I give items I don't need to friends and family or occasionally coworkers that need it. Like I gave a coworker (who I didnt even particularly like), a large box of brand new baby clothes and toys that I had around from a failed pregnancy. I definetly intended to try again, but it had a more immediate use with her.

I give friends without a car rides occasionally and don't charge for gas.

So I guess I really believe more in taking care of the people around me.

[Megan]

I'm always conflicted as to what to do about panhandlers on the street. Around the holidays, I tend to feel more charitable, and give money. I figure if they want to spend it on alcohol, that's their choice. But I'm not willing to do that year round.

There's a woman who will come into our grocery store and follow you around asking for money for food, but if you offer to buy her something, she just asks for money for food. Sorry lady. I'll buy you a sandwich, but I'm not just handing you cash.

On the flip side, by my grad school, there was a guy who would occasionally hold up a sign that said "Got great food at the soup kitchen but I could really use a beer." I think every college kid who passed him gave him money. Hey, at least he was honest! Very friendly guy too.

Part of me thinks that I should just give the money and let them do with it what they want. That's true charity. I remember a quote from a tv character once about how he didn't care if the homeless guy was going to spend the money on alcohol. If he were living on the streets, he'd need a drink too. And while I would prefer to see people living on the streets to find a way out of their predicament, that's just not always going to happen, so don't they deserve a little happiness in their life, even if it does come from a bottle?

Like I said, it's a tough call for me. Typically, I give at Christmas, or on a cold rainy day.

[Dani]

I research the charity, as it is possible that a small percentage of what you give actually goes to your intended recipient. Generally I give the most to PETA (animals). I usually have a few granola bars and healthy snacks in my car, which I offer to curbside panhandlers. I donate clothing, etc. to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

I agree with Rainysparadigm, I'd rather take care of those around me who I know. I've seen so many "homeless" people begging but refuse offers of food. Combine that with the fact that I'm working so hard to live frugally, and I don't feel like I "owe" somebody their beer or drug money.

[Mudd Bugg Designs]

I "collect" items from family and friends that don't need them any longer and redistribute them. If they don't find a new home that way I take them to goodwill. Anything that is too stained or has holes in it I take apart keeping what I can use and putting the stained parts into the rag pile. ~Everyone is so used to me doing this they call me when they have something they don't want or if they need something.
I've given to a panhandler a few times but my husband does frequently. Although we really cannot afford it he'll give to the ones he "knows". Which are the ones he talks to and knows their "story", even the 2 that he knows are going to buy beer. If he's on his way home from the store and has beer in his truck he'll give a few out, knowing that he isn't going to be able to go get more. (we have a pretty tight budget. My husband became disabled in Oct.)

[wwstewart]

It sounds bad, but I feel that if people can work, then they should. We help the less fortunate members of the church I attend, as long as they try to help themselves as well.

If someone has a legitimate need, I don't mind helping. But if I see someone who is physically able to do things that could make money, I generally don't.

And for the record, I don't harass anybody about their situations. I have never told a panhandler to get a job. I'm not heartless.