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If I have cash on me, I’ll always give someone a few bucks if they ask.
if they’re out here begging for dollars then clearly they need it more than I do. Giving a dollar here and there does not hurt me financially. Money comes and goes, I’m not worried about it.
I know a lot of people will say “they’re gonna spend it on drugs and alcohol 😡” and I don’t give a fuck if they do lol.
What do you think I was gonna spend that money on? drugs and alcohol LMAOOO
I used to give straight cash.
But then after learning about how non-profits successfully rehabilitate homeless people and get them off the streets, I learned that it’s better to find a non-profit you can trust and give it to them because if they have programs that help homeless people receive therapy, find jobs, and secure homes, your dollar can stretch much further.
Rehabilitation and sustainable intervention should always be implemented. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
If you come across the same homeless people though, you can talk with them, get to know their names, and get them the supplies that they need. I’ve bought pants, socks, sleeping bags, and even dog food for homeless people before. Nice clean clothes, supplies, or gear is always appreciated.
Volunteering at a soup kitchen or something along those lines is good as well. Your time is more valuable than your money. It’s one thing to just receive a dollar — it’s another to feel seen and heard.
I have a couple times but I made them work for it. One guy loaded my car with the groceries I had just bought, another time at a gas station I had a guy clean my car. They did it without hesitation. Another time I noticed a homeless guy going through an ashtray looking for butts outside a Walgreens, so I bought him 2 packs of cigarettes.
I try to carry bottles of water and Cliff bars with me to give out. Most of the homeless people have mental health issues, alcoholism issues and drug abuse issues: usually all three.
Giving such folks cash means they're going to spend it on alcohol and drugs. This isn't helping these folk. I don't want to support their substance abuse. To support this, I know of two men who beg near my house. I've seen them with pints of liquor, visibly drunk. Another woman with a shopping cart had an empty wine bottle next to her at 10 in the morning. A woman was barely clothed, clearly advertising she was a sex worker.
There's all kinds of problems in the homeless populations. I want these folk to get housing and food and clothing. Cash supports a side of their lives I'm not going to support.
When I was coming out of the post office a young lady, well groomed and seemed nice asked if I could spare some money for her motel room. Social Services probably put her there.
Anyway I gave her all the cash in my wallet. She hugged me real tight and said thank you. She had tears in her eyes and said "It's scarey out here". She looked newly homeless and totally inexperienced with the whole thing.
I always wondered what happened to her. This was several years ago, but I have never forgotten that scared young girl.
Do you think I should have brought her home with me?
Opinion
35Opinion
s Rarely ever. I never carry cash, and it’s very rare to find someone who is genuinely homeless in my town. A lot of the “homeless” people are just well known addicts who use the money for things like booze or crack/meth on their way back home, or they’re people who have severe mental health problems and they live in one of the care homes in town - my partners mother is one of the workers who takes care of them and she always points them out to me and lets me know that they’re not actually homeless.
I used to give them cash but got tired of watching them walk straight into the nearest store to buy smokes as soon as they got enough money, so now I ask them if I can buy them any food or water or anything to help them instead. They almost always say no, they only want cash for smokes and booze. Plus a LOT of the "homeless" in my city are a complete scam. They get dropped off by car in the morning and picked up each night. Nicely dressed guys frequently meet with them throughout the day to collect their cash. They get paid to dress up in rough-looking clothes and sit on the side of the main streets shaking a cup and begging for cash. I’ve worked in the city centre for 4 years and of the hundreds of homeless that I see on streets around me during the day, less than 10 of them are genuinely in a homeless state.
Depends on the person. If they seem honest sure but if they hassle me or demands more I'm likely to tell them to fuck off. Usually it's nice if you see someone living rough and there's a shop to just buy them a sandwich or something and they tend to appreciate the sentiment, not crazy about charity as a solution though. It shouldn't be down to regular people to make sure no one is starving on the street.
I am city-wise so I get that it goes to drugs a lot and their stories are often lies such as I just need $10 more to get the bus or for enough gas to get home. But I do give every now and then. Two weeks ago I gave drinks, ice, sandwiches, $80 and dog food to a homeless guy and his dog. I was driving my Mercedes SUV turning into my million dollar place and he was walking past the drive way. He had the right if way but waved me on. It was humbling. I had $15, a sandwich and some cold drinks as I was coming back from fishing off the boat. He was grateful. He said where he was going as he had to leave his last place. I waited and then gathered up a bunch of sandwiches my wife made, $60 more which was all my cash, many more drinks including ones that provide electrolytes, a bunch of dog food for his large dog and treated him with respect. It was a pleasant surprise for him to have these items delivered. I have been out of town so I don’t know if he is still there.
I'm with you. It's bad enough they have to do that on streets and lose their dignity. I feel a strong empathy for these overlooked people. The notion that "they will just spend it on drugs or alcohol" is BS and an excuse. Many of these folks had jobs a few years ago or a year ago, and had something tragic happen to them.
No but thats mainly cause in the area I live in I don’t rlly see homeless people often or ever rlly. In the times I’ve met some homeless people tho (usually big cities rlly far away from my city) I usually give a few dollars or a family member will
We have never directly given any money to a homeless person... However we do give donations to the recognised and registered charities working on their behalf.
That way we know the money isn't simply being spent on alcohol, cigarettes or drugs.
In the city where I live, the city officials high encourage people to NOT give them money. The reasoning is that if their panhandling works, and they get money from it, they will stay here and keep doing it. There is a serious homeless issue here.
also depends on where. there's a fair few people who will pretend to be homeless near us. the "please i need £1 to get my bus" that I've seen the dude do to EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON he came across... including me... over MULTIPLE days XD
It was funny to see how quick he scattered when I pointed out I'd already said no to him about 3 days ago...
If I actually know they're homeless I will give them something if I have it or buy them a meal.. But most of the "homeless" people are really drug addicts.. That's why I'm careful to give anything, cause I could just be helping their habit..
There was a guy in the news some years ago who was a "homeless" beggar. He wore old worn out clothes and shoes with holes in them. Turns out he was pulling in $75k a year (tax free) which at the time was equivalent to six figures today, lived in an upscale apartment and owned 2 cars.
Of course people say not to give then anything other than a care package but i’ll always give money if I have it to spare. No more than $20 max though
literally never. and I was homeless. you line of they will spend it on drugs is factually correct. what I will do is I go to a store or restaurant and buy them a food item and a drink. that way they have some food and something to drink.
I wish I did more honestly but o don’t recall the last time I ever used cash to buy anything. Even before the pandemic. It’s either been catch or someone else.
I almost never carry cash, but if I do then of course I'll give them what I can. A bit dangerous (everyone scolds me for this) but I also try to give rides to people who need them. Or I buy someone food/drinks if I see they're struggling. Hold the door for people. Help elders carry their groceries, etc. I'm a broke college student but I always try to help if I can. It's just simple sympathy for humans.
u not money, no...
I rather put my money, time and effort on the strays doggos and cats out there...
and I do so by working with a vet clinic/shelter of a friend of mine too
I don't do it. There are already abundant services for the homeless. If you wish to help those who have fallen on hard times, give to the Salvation Army (red kettles/bell ringer) or similar.
I don't typically just give them money. Last year I handed out 10 sub zero (-20) sleeping bags to some of the people I observed on a regular basis outside in bus shelters.
In Tbilisi I often did. I haven’t met homeless people in Shanghai so far.
I don't care if they spend it on drugs and alcohol.
I'm giving them money to help, not to judge.
That said, if this person starts getting aggressive with me and I don't have to worry about being seen?
All bets are off.
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