I’m always a bit torn. Local media has been doing a series on how to deal with panhandlers and now that it’s warm, many intersections have one or two people with cardboard signs, asking for money.
I am aware that most will convert any money they get into fast/junk food or liquor or drugs. One side of my brain says, so what? This is a hurting person, there but for the grace of God go I, and if my dollar helps them find a little bit of oblivion or pleasure, that’s OK. In fact a guy who used to hold up a sign saying “Why Lie? I Need Beer Money” got spare change from me several times.
The other side of my brain says - liquor and drugs bad. No give money for that. But honestly, it’s not like most of these folks are going to find salvation and the high road ever, and certainly not if they’re being ignored.
I never do and to be honest I have never been convinced that there weren’t better things a person on could doing beside standing on a corner with a cardboard sign, no matter how terrible their situation.
We pay taxes and give to charities so the people who truly need help can get it. I don’t want to encourage bums and beggars to live on the streets because it harms the community, economy, and prevents them from getting quality longer term care. Also, I think it’s against most city ordinances to give to beggars.
I sort of agree, but then, not. I’ve volunteered with the local YWCA domestic violence shelter since 2009. A significant percentage of the women and children asking for help get turned away; many are homeless, almost all are uneducated and virtually unemployable…in a horrible economy and competing with employable, educated candidates, what are they to do?
In this community at least, the need for help vastly, hugely, massively outweighs the available resources. Homeless shelters here are overburdened beyond belief. It really is not easy at all for someone who has made bad choices in the past to “turn their life around” or get onto some sort of productive path.
Clearly, getting all stabby and pissed off (and I do) and ranting about how idiot young women and men with no education or job skills tend to breed thoughtlessly or make other poor decisions and then expect society to bail them out is a valid and righteous position. But the fact does remain: these folks exist. Do we ignore their existence, or do we acknowledge it?
‘Plenty of prisons,’ said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.’And the Union workhouses.’ demanded Scrooge. ‘Are they still in operation?’
‘Both very busy, sir.’
‘Oh. I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,’ said Scrooge. ‘I’m very glad to hear it.’
‘Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,’ returned the gentleman, ‘a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?’
‘Nothing!’ Scrooge replied.
‘You wish to be anonymous?’
‘I wish to be left alone,’ said Scrooge. ‘Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned-they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there.’
‘Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.’
‘If they would rather die,’ said Scrooge, ‘they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
[/QUOTE]
The “charities” are overloaded with a sizeable portion of the population having exceeded their unemployment benefits, there aren’t enough shelters around here, and most of them won’t take people who are using alcohol or drugs, or those who have mental health issues. The government safety nets have been all but abandoned. Plus, our message for years has been that asking for help is something to be ashamed of and a sign of failure–remember, a recurring (though thankfully failed) message of the last election is that you can’t be poor unless you’re a “taker” who deserves it, that everybody can get a job (in defiance of overwhelming evidence and basic mathematical concepts like “greater than”) unless they have defects of character.
Yes, I give to panhandlers. Not often, and I prefer to support food banks because they seem to be one of the only effective charities in the region, but I do occasionally give directly. Once it’s given, it’s their money, and what they use it for is no more my business than what I use my money for is my employer’s–they’re destitute, not children.
I had a maintenance company in Kansas City. To all of those “Will Work for Food” guys, I gave them a business card and told them: 'If you can work a mop or a broom, I’ve got a job for you; I don’t care if you show up sober or not."
Over the years, I gave away over 1000 business cards, and got not one reply; I guess that they’re not really hungry.
Yeah but it’s not the 1840’s and government programs designed to aid the homeless aren’t workhouses or prisons. PurpleClogs said we “give to charities” (in addition to paying taxes) which is exactly what the solicitors were asking Scrooge to do. Refusing to give to a guy on a highway off-ramp isn’t really equivalent.
I don’t give to panhandlers but I’ll give to charities. They can more effectively purchase items in bulk, provide shelter, etc. The local shelter takes donations of items but they really would rather have cash so they can use their connections to make the $50 you’d spend on diapers or food into $100 in diapers or food. Beyond having no idea if the person I’m giving to actually needs it, directly giving someone a couple bucks is probably the least efficient means of helping the homeless or those in need. If you think the charities are overloaded, why not help them? They can do a lot more with your money than some random guy can.
We donate to organizations that support the homeless, and carry Trader Joe’s trail mix packets to hand out. We sometimes carry small bags of dog biscuits as well.
I put down “it depends on” because I almost never give to panhandlers. Most of the folk who’ve asked for money, or given hard luck stories, looked fairly fit and healthy to me, and I just kept walking.
But once I encountered a situation that still has me puzzled. A skinny, rough looking guy approached me in the parking lot of a grocery as I was putting my purchases in the car. Long hair, kind of dirty looking too, no different than any others in appearance.
But something about his voice and tone was different, he sounded, (how do I say it?), so tired and unhappy. I don’t remember his exact words, but I do remember him adding, “Please, in the name of Jesus, if you could help me…”
I’d been ready to brush him off but it was like something said in my ear “Take a chance” I reached in my purse and had just a $10 bill and I gave it to him. He seemed so greatful then.
I don’t know what happened, maybe he did go and spend it on junk. I’ve never quite figured out what gave me that feeling that I should give this guy a handout.
I’m surprised you lumped fast food in with liquor and drugs as things which you are “aware” that they will probably spend the money on. I mean, isn’t a bite to eat about the best possible use of any money you might give them?
Oh, and no, I dont give money to panhandlers. That shit is a racket. I see some healthy, well-fed, well-groomed motherfuckers out here panhandling. They wouldn’t be doing it if it didnt work. May God Bless You.
We shouldn’t enable them. They need help. If panhandling never worked, they would seek help in the appropriate places. This is better for their health, our health, area businesses, traffic, tourism, all the ills related to drugs and alcohol, fire, police, and ambulances, sanitation, etc. Shelter overflow? I don’t know of a single church who would turn someone away who needed help, mental, substance, character defect or otherwise. They’re not asking because begging is easier than getting cleaned up. It works. Unfortunately for them, and us.