
Should you give money to homeless people? Why or why not?


I don't think simply providing money is helpful because many who are homeless have gotten to where they are due to poor life choices and giving them money often facilitates them making more of those same life choices. I think providing work, food, shelter, getting them in contact with family members, etc. All of that is more helpful than simply giving them money.
There's the additional problem that it's not hard to LOOK homeless. There are several people I've seen and heard of who got rich off the kindness of others. I've had friends tell me about seeing people trading off shifts, getting into the back of a Rolls Royce or Mustang, and having someone else go stand where they were with the same sign. I've heard of people making upwards of $2000 dollars a day by simply begging for money and the list goes on.
When it comes down to it, money by itself doesn't solve problems. Money used wisely is what solves problems, and it's virtually impossible to teach a person standing on a street corner to be wise with the money you give them. I think it genuinely can be difficult to get a job once you've gotten to the point of homelessness. If you don't have decent clothes for job interviews, don't have a lot of experience, or don't have a consistent means or transportation to get you too and from a job, or a place to shower after a long day's work, then yes it can be difficult to get a job. But even then it's not impossible.
I think it'd be most helpful to set up privately owned programs that could help... essentially rehabilitate the homeless, teaching them life/work skills, and providing them a "base of operations" from which they can start until they find somewhere else. There's an old saying "He who does not work, let him not eat." I don't think anyone is OWED a livelihood. If someone isn't willing to put in the level of work required to make a living for themselves, there is no reason anyone should pay it to them. The money earned should be representative of the value of the work provided. (Which... is part of why I don't like minimum wage laws).
Great answer. Will be mho once I'm allowed to select
@updated OP
yeah I agree they do need to get a job but we also need to care for our homeless at the same time. the shoe could change size on you fast and you be in that position but it says a lot about a country when you don't tend to the homeless.
Giving to homeless people is only going to help them today, and is not going to help them to find a home and work. Therefore it is important to support selected homeless charities that spend their money helping homeless people with medical, legal or substance abuse issues and help to train them so they can get work. Unfortunately I have seen cases of homeless people who rejected many offers of accommodation because they could earn £150 a day by begging or because the accommodation they were given was too far from their drug dealer. So dealing with issues preventing homeless people from moving to accommodation and getting work is very important, and good charities can help people with that, but only if people want their help.
So the answer to your question depends on whether there are charities that can help homeless people to get accommodation and work on your area.
Excellent quote and new way of looking at things. Thank you
Absolutely not. In my line of work I interact frequently with the homeless population. Money won't solve their problems. The majority of homeless people are homeless because they can't manage money. They use it on alcohol and drugs before housing/food.
They're also just plain mean people. They think they're entitled to your charity. I had pity for the homeless when I began my job but I got over it real quick when I realized that these people are ungrateful drunks and addicts who will throw the food you give them back in your face, literally throw their feces on you, and cuss you out because you won't let them drink hand sanitizer.
Thanks for sharing your behind the scenes experience
OFC they are mean they live on the streets and a lot are veterans with PTSD.
Well I always give... Even if they are liars or not, still I give them, you can never know which one really needs them
That's very thoughtful of you
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98Opinion
I rather feel I should notify to relevant authorities so futher action could be taken under the Department of Community Development and Welfare Department.
I'm aware it maybe different in different countries. I'm just saying if there were homeless people in mine, although we rarely have them.
I'd prefer to give clothes and food over money. You never know if they're struggling with some sort of addiction (drugs/alcohol, gambling etc), and money could potentially only fuel that addiction. I'd rather give them something that's more useful.
Sometimes, people really fall on hard times. I've been homeless. But I didn't stay there. You can do one of two things with anything that happens to you in life: you can either use it as a crutch and hobble on feeling "poor me" or use it as a stepping stone to something better. No, it won't be easy, but nothing worth going for in life ever is. I get that people make bad choices and sometimes horrible things happen to good people. At times they just need a helping hand to stand them back and brush them off, to remind them of why it's worth it to keep going. Other times, you give the same help to someone else and like many examples here, you find them in an alley somewhere drunk, or refusing the job you offered them etc. Why isn't relevant. There is a guy at a local Walmart that drives a 2017 Dodge pickup in good condition that will park a block or two away and go out panhandling simply because peoples' bleeding hearts pay better than a real job. Personally, if I can work work, my sense of self worth says I have to. I have no right to ask from someone else what I can produce with my own two hands.
Sadly, that guy with the truck is one of the reasons why people don't help these people on street corners. There are a lot who dress up like a bum but are living in nice houses. They don't want a 9 to 5 job and to be told what to do. I'm sure many of them make more a day than a lot of people.
No, not anymore. I can't tell who's really homeless or not, and all the people I gave money to are very ungrateful for it. This one guy used to harass people to give him money and like the 15 yo chump I was I gave him $5 and he just said "yeah whatever", when I was 14 this one guy who was outside of a liquor store was asking for money, I was a chump then too and I gave him my $2 in change and he said "next time you better have $5" which fuck that guy. But last year at 19 and learned not to be a chump, this guy who was conveniently outside of a liquor store asked me for change, but all my money in on my debt card now so I had no physical notes to give, so I said "I don't have any money to give, and he went off on me saying he's hungry and called me a b! tch n! gg@ for not having money to give, and at that point I've had it. I walked away and now every time someone asks me for money, I just rudely ignore them and walk off, so if someone who is actually homeless and hungry and asks me for money, they're not getting shit from me all because of the guys who fake being homeless.
Not a choice. When someone loses everything, it is not as simple as "get a job and get yourself out of it". When you are homeless, you lose access to showers and clothes suitable for job interviews. Many places will not hire homeless, and the ones that will do not pay enough for people in most US cities to afford it. I was homeless and had a full time job at walmart. Also, an eviction will prevent you from being able to get approved for a place, even with a job. It is true that some people are homeless due to poor choices and wasted opprotunities, but they are actually the minority. You see them more because they do not know how to survive, but most of the homeless in every city I have ever lived found a way to be out of sight and out of mind and not cause trouble. So it is pure ignorance to just tell someone homeless to "go get a job"? How do you know what they have and have not tried? I personally give homeless people money that I won't miss. What they do with it is on them, but my heart is in the right place and I will be blessed for it eventually.
Not a chance. Im from Detroit Michigan. You see people asking for money at almost every turn of the corner. The vast majority of them are on the streets because they can't make good choices. there's a guy to comes to my shop everyday asking for change because "its my birthday today" the first week I was in my new shop I gave him a dollar n such, no biggie. But weeks go by and he's still using the same thing. I stop giving him money I offered him a job, well paid and he decline. He doesn't want a job, he just wants money. I've even bought food for someone who was outside of a burger joint. He asked for money but I only had card. I felt bad so I went back into the burger place and ordered him a buger n fries. Dude said and I quote "I dont want that greasy shit" and threw the bag at me. I nearly beat his ass right there and then. I've seen and been in so many other similar situations.
LMAO
Not in the US (it may be different elsewhere).
Virtually all homeless who are begging for money on the streets are alcoholics and/or drug addicts, and the vast majority don't want to quit their addiction.
Housing is usually available to these people, but they don't want it because it comes with rules and restrictions that they don't want to follow.
Instead, they rely on naive people to give them money so they can buy more booze/drugs. That money does nothing at all to help them - it simply enables their addictions.
Give your charity to local food banks, homeless shelters, and outreach programs, but NOT directly to the beggers, who will just further abuse themselves.
Those people need to fail - to be so hungry or desperate that they will accept treatment for their addictions. Until they hit that "rock bottom", they won't take any real help.
Behind every homeless person is a story and/or a tragedy.
Most of the homeless are homeless because they succumbed to some kind of addictive substance, a toxic home environment or character issues.
I usually refrain to give money to homeless because I cannot assess the reason for their status. I would give money if they are victims of toxic home environment but I would not if they were weak enough to start using drugs or because their character prevented pit them in the streets.
What I have done in the past is to give a hot, non alcoholic beverage to a homeless person. I was once disrespectfully insulted for telling a homeless that I will not give any change but I will take him to a McDonald and get him a burger. Apparently, the coins would have been invested in another type of substance and he made me feel it.
NOPE instead the money should go for the homeless people who wants to better themselves and recover from their addictions since you know North America has a opioids epidemic. I wouldn't be surprise if California free money will kill a bunch of homeless people because the money is going to go to drugs and they overdose and die. Not all paramedics can get to these people on time before they OD. I only see a ton of issues this will cause and plus a lot of people will angry that their tax money is going to this yet they barely get any help from the government themselves.
Also, a lot of homeless people just want to mooch of people in my city there always beggars around my area nowadays or people pretending to be homeless but have nice clothes and deck out in nice stuff but you mean to tell me your homeless and need money? or I love the dumbest excuse ever "I forgot my wallet and everything I need at home so I can't go home can you spread me some change please".
Sometimes people are homeless because they are suffering from depression or an addiction of either drugs ate or alcohol. They beg to get money to feed their addiction. At this point they don’t care about themselves. I don’t give money to the homeless because they’ll most likely use it to finance their drugs. I’ve met a man that once was an attorney and he lost everything after he lost his wife. Some people deal with their grief by numbing it. Some choose to live this way so that they don’t be a burden on any of their relatives or friends. They remove themselves from the real world.
Depends on the timing and if i have cash or change cause everything is on my card, i do hate the same homeless people you catch tryna hustle you at drive throughs as if you gotta double pay them as well, that's annoying af its like now y'all just messin wit ppls hard earn money and these day they ain't that broke most homeless are crackheads here so that's the reason they won't work
Also i don't feel as bad because the US isn't third world, where here a homeless person could catch a drink of water anywhere without, thsy could even get blow up beds and sleep in abandoned buildings, they even use abunch store carts to carry their homes, i even watch a lot of restaurants let them hang in the back so they get a shot at unfinished food or food that wasn't touched... theyre many homeless in Cali but those guys like are comfortable and it's Cali could you blame them weather and access to so much
When I was younger I felt bad for not doing it, so if I had a couple of pennies in my pocket I'd give them.
But as I grew up I realised giving them money isn't the right thing to do, not where I'm from anyway, because they will most likely spend it on drugs- I don't want to contribute to someone killing themselves.
There's plenty of ways to help, such as donating food to homeless shelters. :)
Difficult one. Most spend on the habits that got them homeless in the first place.
Offer food instead of money - those genuine will accept, those not will reject. Or offer it to people with dogs. Because you can be damn sure that money will go to feeding their dog.
In general no. Rather give your money to homeless people shelters who are sure to use the money for good. Giving money directly to homeless people might mean giving them money to buy drugs or alchohol with and also discourages them to go to shelters for help. It can keep them stuck.
No... because you can’t be sure if they are. I’d buy them food or ask them what they wanted that I could buy them. If you give them money and they are truly homeless you are feeding their drug addiction. If they are not homeless then you are giving you hard earned cash to a fraudster!
Genuinely homeless would appreciate a chat and a sandwich!
Give money to organizations that help homeless people. Unfortunately, there is a lot of drug addiction among homeless people, which is why most organizations don't recommend giving money directly to people. If you want to help a specific person, give them food and clothing, and if you can, try to give them the option to contact a shelter that actually has room to take them.
I'm not really for or against it, but I just don't have enough money to be giving some away right now.
I wouldn't judge homeless people if they buy alcohol with whatever money they get, because I'd probably be doing the same thing if I were homeless.
Nobody gives me free money, I have to get up early and go to work.
Why would I get up early and go to work just to give my money to some bum?
If you have money to give to homeless people, then you don't hate your job enough.
Lol.
In the USA is unacceptable. There are shelters and programs that help people.
There is this homeless lady on university drive in Manhtattan by the NYU campus, who has been there for years. One day it was 0 degrees and police officers tried to bring her to a shelter and she refused.
I dont know how she survives. She doesn't even beg. She just reads books and lays on the concrete
Since the majority of homeless are males (and most of them are likely there because of the anti-male society)... I give money to men who are obviously there because society has kicked them in the ass.
I will NEVER give money to women (they have an endless supply of help simply for being women, shelters, funding, groups, etc.)
I don't give money to young people covered in tatts and piercings, usually with a cell phone. They are NOT homeless.
The beggars there I live. nop. organized crime there the gypsies from balkan get shipped here to get used to begg then must pay a fee to some guy to not get in trouble with he's goons and get shipped pack.
To many ignorant losers that dismiss the facts and feel pour for them, make up stuff to justify what they are doing to support them.
Don’t take this in the wrong way, but you have a very narrow view on how people become homeless. Getting a job as a homeless person with no connections and without the ability of getting into a shelter is near impossible. No phone, email, shower, ability to take care of basic hygiene, makes employers not want to hire them. These people can’t just simply get a job, and most try to get a job in the first place. A address is a significant leg up to not having one. A address to no address is like having a degree to a third grade education, you’re going to hire the one with the degree.
thank you so much.
I can't assume that all homeless people can just get a job because some are not just lazy and just ask for money.
But where im from, Don't know if every country has this but we have shelters that give food and a place to stay.
So when a homeless person asks me for money for food I know that they are lying and they want to use it for drugs and cig.
When ever I ask them Ill just buy you food they never want it and just want cash.
So no I Dont.
Directly? Nope, and don't. If you've gone deep enough to understand how "the streets" work, you'll be sorry that each pity dollar we gave just make them lazier. Truth is, by giving them money, we just serving our own pride rather than helping their lives "grow".
No, why give to someone who isn’t willing to work but stick their hand out? You worked for that dollar, you will spend that money so you can get to work for the next week, eat, pay bills etc. It’s more valuable to you than it will ever be for them. Scrounge up a quick $10 then its off to the corner to score some heroin for the night
I have a friend with ALS, he can't work because of his disability. The government gives him so little in financial support he is barely above the poverty line. If it weren't for the great people who help him out he would be living on the street.. I find most of the people living on the street where I live are sick mentally or physically. Sure there will always be lazy fucks who dont want to earn their living but I can't lump everyone in that category. I dont give them money. I offer to buy them food instead as to keep my dollars away from them scoring the next fix.
If you have nowhere to live, you're stinking dirty, have no money, no family to support you and you have no way of printing off a CV, how on earth do you think they can just get a job? Even if they got a job, they would have to wait until their paycheck so they would have to stay on the street until then, somehow washing themselves to be ready for work. If they got an early pay packet, there's things involved in getting a house and that can be a lengthy process.
How is someone who's lost everything (which could very well happen to you or anyone), suddenly become a freeloading addict? It seems like you have a superiority issue and think the homeless are beneath you and less than human. Yes, many of them have drug problems (many develop drug problems AFTER becoming homeless because, shocker, it's not easy to magically not be homeless and it's tough) but they're still human beings.
If I am going to help them, I usually offer them food, not money.
When I was poor and in a similar situation I, 1. Took a shower in a public bathroom sink, ( When you're determined you'll do what you have to do), 2. went to a FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY and posted an ad on Craigslist explaining my situation asking if anyone was willing to TAKE me to Walmart and buy me ONE INEXPENSIVE OUTFIT to wear to a job interview (it's called a brain... Use it), someone replied and not only took me shopping but also bought me shoes, I then 3. went on a job interview and got a fucking job.
You were saying?
@CaviarLilly
Well done for pulling yourself up.
But many people, when they're down, are unable to do what you did. Add PTSD in the mix - veterans - and it's tough.
Bit unfair and unrealistic to judge others from within the confines of your own experience. Apologies if you have been to war, and suffer from PTSD.
I was suffering from PTSD and was also a drug user at the time. There are no excuses. Like I said to someone else.. it is my experiences as a former homeless person that has changed my mind about giving to the homeless. I've lived that life. I know what's really going on. I understand you want to have sympathy for people and that's good. It means you're kind. Which is a very good trait to have these days. So do you.
I, however, am kind but I'm also a realist and am no one's fool. I don't give money to homeless people.
There's no need to be rude.
1. That's not a shower, that's a wash and you probably still stank if you were homeless for a long time.
2. Not everyone becomes homeless near a library that they can walk to.
3. Not everyone will be lucky enough to find someone who will buy them stuff online.
Just because you got out of it, doesn't mean the same opportunities and the same order of events will happen to someone else. Some people mentally give up or have mental illness. Sometimes people are homeless for so long that actually living normally and integrating into society is too hard for them. Just because you've done something, doesn't mean everyone can do it. That's common sense.
No, buy them food and other daily necessities instead. For female homeless people, don't forget to buy them sanitary pad or tampons, since they won't be having any money. This thought was trigger when I watch a video on people interviewing homeless people, female homeless people have to make tough choices as to buy sanitary items or food with the minimal money they are having.
@caviarlilly read your update. I understand that you may not agree with them being homeless for an extended period of time, but maybe you can think again why are they homeless in the first place. I agree there are some might be lazy and just don't give a damn on anything. But for those who wanted to get a job but couldn't? I hope I am wrong but the fact is many corporations would not hire homeless people. Even though we may think that they have biased view on homeless people. In the end, I actually agree with them getting a job but it is hard as homeless, maybe helping them to get a job and back on track means a whole world to them.
I do, I have, I'd rather give them a food card so I know it isn't used for drugs. social services are lax, so I think they do need help.
It's not enough... to pull someone out of that, if they want out, is a lot of support. our social safety nets in general are poor. nyc prob has the best, but they have tons of cash.
No, it is like Bears , they tell people not to feed them because it makes them stay around and they become dependent on people. They also tear property up, and even kill someone. Same with homeless person, you are not helping them at all. Just encouraging them to remain beggars the rest of their lives. Most have mental issues and need to be in institutions.
Yes, if it feels right. I was homeless. For years. I know what it was like. For each situation it different. As a homeless white man very few jobs available. It takes a serious amount of money to get a apartment. Each one wants cash to decide mabye not. Who can afford that? Jobs? Where do you get food? Put your stuff? Sleep? All homeless shelters are crooked. If you want to know why ill tell you... Even corprate is starting to take over shelters, why? All that cash they take home. While homeless die on streets..
No. A large percentage of them are addicts, and will likely spend the money on drugs and alcohol. If you give them money and they buy drugs or alcohol with it, you're only enabling their addiction and harming them further.
I would, however, buy a homeless person a cheap meal if they asked.
I’m not sure. Some of them are guaranteed to blow every dime they get on heroine or some other drug they’re addicted to, so it may be better to buy them some food instead, but at the same time they’re not going to be able to get off the streets and find a permanent solution if they’re not getting any money.
You shouldn't. A lot of people fake being homeless to get money so they don't have to work. Or the homeless person might spend it on drugs. It sucks, but it's better to donate to local charities or someplace that helps people. But even then, you don't know if 100% of your money is going towards helping, some places take it for themselves
I prefer buying food for them. Sure, they may not be hungry now but they can eat it later. If a homeless person refuses food and only wants money, they are possibly trying to get money for drugs and booze.
Be suspicious if they are asking for ridiculously large sums of money like 30 pounds (no idea what that is in US dollars).
If I have the ability to I always do. The way I see it is that ultimately it doesn't matter if you think "they are just gonna use it on drugs or alcohol". Really you have no sure way of knowing all that matters is that YOU did a good deed. YOU helped someone when you could. That person may or may not take that help and use it to better themselves, but it still doesn't change the fact that YOU tried to help someone however you could.
Yes and no.
1. Yes, because you were homeless you would want someone to help you by giving you some money to get some food and something to drink
2. Noo, because you don't want them to go and buy drugs with the money.
It's pretty hard. If they are hungry just go to the store and ask them what they want to eat or drink and you'll buy it.
No, never give money, buy them a meal. I have often purchased lunch for homeless I see on a daily basis in NYC. I see the same young people each day and it saddens me. I have seen people going through trash cans for pizza crust. I ended up giving my deli sandwich to one man last summer as I couldn't watch him eating out of a garbage can. Offering cash might lead to them buying drugs or booze and that will not help their situation.
wow... homelessness is a choice? what planet are you on lol
22 years old and you think you know everything although you have never experienced any kind of hardship. mummy and daddy need to take a step back so you know what real life is like
while im here, do you know how hard it is for someone without a fixed address to get a bank account? even if they found a job, how do you propose they get paid?
@DaMack999 honestly, it makes me angry. these kids have been babied their entire lives and think shit like this is a lifestyle choice? they have no idea
Yeah you have no idea what I've been through. Nice ASSumption though... ass.
"Yeah you have no idea what I've been through. Nice ASSumption though... ass."
aww, what has the poor baby been through? it must be bad if you think homelessness is a life style choice
No. I'd give them a meal or take them out to eat. I'd not risk sending them money that could be used to fulfill their desires or problems. You can say but you gave in heart and it's up to them how to use it and I did my part. That's true but I'm not risking being a potential contributor to their problems.
buy them food, buy them new socks, take them to lunch. just sit and talk with them. I hugged a homeless man recently. There are things that have a greater impact than money. It's called kindness and genuine character.
Absolutely not. If anything, then you should offer food. Never anything else. And even that is questionable since most homeless tend to be in that situation because of their own lack of desire for improvement.
If you can help, you must do it.. Do your deeds well. Help the helpless.. if he can help himself but asks money. Give them some money n just tell them with a smile if u do good hardwork u can get more. You should not think what that person will do with that money.. If he uses for good purpose it's good if not then it's his loss..
I give the homeless nothing when it come's two money. When they asked four hand out for money I tell them I don't carry cash on me. I won't even give them food. I am cold hearted when it come's with the homeless. If they can't help them self by getting a job to get back on their feet again to get off the street's and sidewalk's why should I support them with my money I earn to support my self with my job at Kroger's. Fuck the homeless.
Sometimes I'm an asshole to homeless people, other times I'm generous. I think it depends what mood I am in, how flush I feel and how they ask me. I've been thinking about it a lot, the next time I see a homeless I want to ask them why. Did they have help but didn't help themselves prior to being homeless, do they have a tragic back story? I remember talking to a homeless girl once and being pissed off by how pathetic her reasons sounded but then I'm not her and everyone's different...
Depends. If the said person is old, and not able to fend for himself, or in any way, is incapacitate, or towards the cause of minors. People who can do some sort of work, manual labor, etc. or are capable of working (other than minors) should be given less preference to give away money
Money? Only if you knew their exact situation. And I mean know for a fact and not what they tell you. If you're going to give anything to a homeless person give them food, clothing, water, and if possible shelter. If you give any ole homeless person money they might use it for the betterment of themselves or they might use it for drugs.
Do what you heart tells you
if you feel like they really need it then you can
However, some just wanna use it to buy drugs so differentiating is important
Well said
@bklynbadboy1 thanks
Your welcome
i live in germany. in germany there's wellfare. if someone is homeless, they either chose to be or they are part of a beggar gang that involve human trafficing or illegal immigration which you shouldn't support.
Yeah sure why not, but here in norway there are a lot of fake homeless people, for at least 4-5 years they used to sit outside of every grocery store making themselves look very poor on purpose, but most people except old people knew what they were doing, they had cars, phones, nice clothes, they lived at a hotel. And they would say hi to everyone when people were just going to the store, trying to get money. The boss of the grocery stores would even chase them away from there, tell them to leave and then they’d come back later, just like rats ugh. it’s not okay to do that. They weren’t black but maybe from pakistan or something I don't know. I don’t know where they’re from but I’ve heard about them. They have left now tho. I only supported it one time, when some guy was outside the grocery store asking people for jobs, with some sign. He was actually trying to get a job, anything, instead of just begging for money. I think that’s okay tbh, because they’re trying.
Not sure what their race had to do with anything. I was with you until you went there
well sorry if you're not white, why would a norwegian do these things? it's freaks from other countries
Sometimes I do. I know full well they might spend it on cigarettes or booze, but God sees me helping someone in need, and it's on the homeless person if they waste that money.
I think it is the government's responsibility to help homeless people. We are doing enough by paying our taxes.
I guess buy them food, socks/clothes, drinks whatever instead if anything.
Or donate to a local homeless shelter instead.
I agree with you. Recently I was talking to a girl on this site who didn't want a job because the job doesn't pay high enough. She's getting 1400 euro at the moment by the government and the job pays 1100 euro so she decided to not do the job.
What government gives out that much benefit? Even Ireland isn't that high
Never. If everyone stopped giving them money they'd finally find jobs and support themselves. People keeps saying that there aren't jobs, but there are plenty of them, just not everyone is willing to do them.
I don't every single person but if you don't know who they are, what they choose to do with the $ is on their character not yours.
However, I personally prefer to be a little unconventional and offer them food I might have.
If they're addicted to substance rather give them something to eat, drink, wear or anything else useful instead of money.
You can give food, clothes and water but dont give money because they can get drugs or alcohol with that money
There's a homeless guy near my house who pretends to be homeless with a broken leg. I found out he lives in a house a few blocks from me and he will go to be freeway and ask for money every day.
I usually only give them money if they are doing something for it. Play the drums on buckets, tell jokes, do something to try and earn it instead of begging.
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