Do You Help Out The Homeless or Those Who Approach you For Money?

[Anonymous]

There are so many youtube videos online of strangers being approached by homeless people or those in need asking for money. Those in the comments are always portraying those that don't give money or offer assistance as horrible thoughtless people, but is that the case?

I have friends in law enforcement that have told me that if I'm approached for money, not to reach in my purse to give any because thieves have been known to snatch and grab, so I don't, and thanks to the Covid era, I stopped giving cash through my car window.

For you personally though, what is your opinion on giving money to the homeless or those in need?

I often give money to those asking, I just deeply feel the need to help

I would like to give money, but I don't feel safe being approached

I donate to various charities/volunteer, but not to those approaching me. I prefer to give back that way

I don't and wouldn't give handouts to those approaching me. I worked hard for mine, they should too

[DaisyM23]

i don't often give money though, it's usually one offs every now and then but i'm fine with someone approaching me depending on where i am though, i don't want to be approached when i'm alone at night or anything... and i also like to give to various charities at least once or twice a year

[Anonymous]

There is this middle aged guy who posts up on the corner in front of a McDonalds in my neighborhood with a cardboard sign saying he is a vet and needs money for food. Last month when I went through the drive-thru I bough an extra big mac in a separate bag. As I drove by I stopped, rolled down my window and offered it to him. He just flipped me off.

I am a charitable person and feel I am more fortunate than some, so I do like to donate my time and sometimes money to worthy causes. But I never give money to homeless because they typically just use it to buy alcohol or drugs, which is not helping them at all. I think most people understand that, but they do it anyway to make them feel better about themselves. It's a special kind of dishonesty.

[Asker]

My friend used to ride the bus and at one of her stops there were a lot of homeless, so she would do the same thing you tried to do at McDonald's. She always had these stories of the ones who really appreciated it and the ones like your guy who would scream at her or demand money.

I'm a give food and water type of person, and I do charity work. I want to know that my energies are going to something that may actually help someone like a hot meal vs drugs/alcohol. My local paper actually ran a story about how much someone on a well known busy highway corner of town "earned" in a day asking for handouts, and if they were there every single day of the year, they'd make the equivalent of a teacher salary and yet we know people who come to the US with a suitcase and $100 and make a whole life, but a teachers salary can't get them off that same corner? People are right to question it and those signs asking for help.

[slatyb]

I don't because I don't want to encourage any more people to come to Seattle.

[Paris13]

A ot. Especially those with Dogs. xxoo

[Paris13]

Thanks to Gag. xx

[Paris13]

***Toxx

[Sparkie460]

I always help those in need. I have bag's of essential things that they might need that includes snacks, socks, knit hats, coupons for free food, toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, $5, and a bottle of water.

I keep these in all my vehicles

[LiamJHayden]

No cash. I will give or buy food or blankets, etc., but never ever cash.