# Giving money to panhandlers/beggars/homeless on the street **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 29, 2011, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001 "2011-09-29T11:44:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/41 "2011-09-29T20:06:12Z")
Here in our town just about the same people work the same areas every day. A guy drops some of them off from his truck and picks them up at the end of the day. I’ve given money before, and I’ve donated to the shelters. All I know is this seems to be some of the regulars’ gigs. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/42 "2011-09-29T20:12:38Z")
I give pocket change that I keep in my car for just that reason. I also (along with a friend of mine) make lunch bags and drive through the city and hand them out. I donate my time and efforts and money to a charity called A Simple Thread, a non-profit that distributes hygiene stuff like shampoo and deodorant to the many homeless in Houston. There are not enough shelters and soup kitchens. There are children out there with their moms. They need help! We also make kits for children that have stuff like small toys, snacks and coloring books. We have kits for women that contain wipes and tampons. We give them insect repellent and ice cold water and oranges and bananas. The police run us off and we keep going back. They need help. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/43 "2011-09-29T20:17:23Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If that excuse allows you to sleep at night, more power to you. I, on the other hand, remember what it was like and how complicated the real truth of the matter is. I congratulate you on your superior knowledge and understanding. ETA: Sorry about the snarkiness. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/44 "2011-09-29T20:23:53Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > I congratulate you on your superior knowledge and understanding. > ETA: Sorry about the snarkiness. And I hope that accept this information from someone that gained it first hand, and _never_ have the chance to learn it directly, because that destination is not worth the trip you have to take to get there. ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/45 "2011-09-29T20:43:26Z")
I give when I see geniune need either money or goods. There have been times in my life when I was homeless and hungry either because of incompetent parents (childhood) or warfare (1990’s). Other people helped me when I needed help and I pay it forward. By the way, some of the most interesting dinner conversation I have ever had has been over buckets of fried chicken with the homeless in the park. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/46 "2011-09-29T20:45:15Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Literally. > > This makes sense, especially if one donates to or works with charities that have outreach programs. As **Brazil** noted, most homeless people have substance abuse problems\*, and may not have the wits about them to find a homeless shelter. And of course there are those who really are just looking for the next fix, and they’re not going to find that at a shelter. > > \*Estimates vary, but I’ve seen the number stated as 75 -90%. This says[26 per cent](http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/addiction.pdf). Who knows? There are also people who have to live with an abusive mate or their parents or friends because they can’t find housing on their own. That’s not street homeless (and not all beggars are on the streets _cough cough DC & NYC_) but it’s something. I am very generous. I don’t ask for proof when someone says they are in need and I try to treat people like adults. A guy with a sign is more likely to get my few bucks than a guy coming up to me asking for ‘bus fare’. :rolleyes: I’ve given blankets (wintertime), food, money, water (especially on a hot day), gloves off my hands and medical attention to homeless folk. But…if I come across a pushy pandhandler - you know the one, the guy that gives you that vibe?- I have on my face the coolest look I can muster and if he persists when I say no, I tell him to back the eff off. Some of them are EXTREMELY aggressive in downtown Denver. ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/47 "2011-09-29T20:45:21Z")
> [@Rebo](#): > > I give pocket change that I keep in my car for just that reason. > > I also (along with a friend of mine) make lunch bags and drive through the city and hand them out. > > I donate my time and efforts and money to a charity called A Simple Thread, a non-profit that distributes hygiene stuff like shampoo and deodorant to the many homeless in Houston. There are not enough shelters and soup kitchens. > > There are children out there with their moms. They need help! We also make kits for children that have stuff like small toys, snacks and coloring books. We have kits for women that contain wipes and tampons. > > We give them insect repellent and ice cold water and oranges and bananas. > > The police run us off and we keep going back. > > They need help. That’s awesome! ---
**Author:** ![AndyLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@AndyLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyLee)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/48 "2011-09-29T21:11:48Z")
Oh good grief, you have to look at it like this Suppose I am a department manager and it’s Christmas. And I decide to give nine of the ten people that work for me a box of Frango mints for Christmas. But I don’t give a box to Maura, because she’s overweight. Instead I give her a membership to weight watchers. A handout to a homeless person is a gift. You don’t give gifts with strings. If you do, don’t give them anything at all. Realistically you have no way of knowing if that man you give a quarter to is gonna use it to buy drink or McDonalds. He probably will buy something not good for him, but would you do this with your other friends? Do you do this with your friends? If Joe says, “Andy can I borrow, $5.00 till payday.” I don’t ask, “Is it for cigarettes? Because I don’t lend money for cigarettes.” It’s different if it’s a large sum of money, then you could ask, as you have a right to know where a huge sum is going, because if it isn’t going to be repaid, you could wind up financially hurt but $5.00 to a friend or a quarter to a homeless person isn’t gonna matter to you one way or another. Homeless people have enough problems in the world without self righteous people trying to take away any dignity they may still have. If you have to give a quarter with a string attached, don’t give at all. If you think donating to an organized charity will help. I hope so. And I hope it doesn’t all go to administrative costs. My mother has been off the mark for years, and I’ve yet to see any established charity that will help her at all. And why? Because she’s just nuts. I don’t fault the charities for having rules, they have to, but if my mother could follow those rules she’d be able to hold a job. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/49 "2011-09-29T21:44:45Z")
I do give. There are a few popular spots in my town at left turn signals or freeway off ramps that get a lot of traffic. Sometimes they’re unavoidable. I have a large amount of change in my car so I just grab a handful and hand it to them. Occasionally, I’ve wrapped it in a $20 Here’s how I see it: I don’t care if they spend it on booze or drugs. Their lives are already a mess, if that’s what makes them happy for a little while, then I’ll do my little part to alleive them of that pain. Its basic human compassion to want to help them feel better if its that’s drugs, even if its more damaging in the long run, they’re already homeless and living on the streets, it can’t be that much worse for them. If crack gives them the ability to ignore the cold through the night, then buy some crack. I also don’t care if there are fake homeless people asking for a handout. If I refuse to help panhandlers because of that, sooner or later I’ll miss helping a real person who needs help. I’d rather give money to 9 lazy dead beats and 1 real homeless than not give and miss out on helping one person. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/50 "2011-09-29T22:01:51Z")
Amen. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/51 "2011-09-29T22:36:27Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And I hope that accept this information from someone that gained it first hand, and _never_ have the chance to learn it directly, because that destination is not worth the trip you have to take to get there. So are you saying you were a panhandler at some point? What time period was it; where was it; how did you end up in that situation? How much money did you take in during a day? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/52 "2011-09-29T22:55:40Z")
> [@AndyLee](#): > > Realistically you have no way of knowing if that man you give a quarter to is gonna use it to buy drink or McDonalds. Realistically, you know that the money is very likely to be spent on something harmful like drugs or alcohol. > [@](#): > > He probably will buy something not good for him, but would you do this with your other friends? If my friend had a serious substance abuse problem, then yes I would not give or lend him money. Of course, at least with the friend you are not encouraging him to bother random people by giving him money. > [@](#): > > Homeless people have enough problems in the world without self righteous people trying to take away any dignity they may still have. I think you are the one who is being self-righteous by pretending to yourself and others that you are doing something constructive. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/53 "2011-09-29T22:56:49Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > So are you saying you were a panhandler at some point? What time period was it; where was it; how did you end up in that situation? How much money did you take in during a day? I was, back in the 70’s. I was a teenage runaway from Houston. I ended up in New York City. I made enough to have cigarettes and eat, but I slept on a few park benches. I got taken into someone’s home, and eventually got a job. After a few months, things were resolved with my parents, and I came home and went to school. Being homeless sucks, especially for a woman. I had to do some things I’m not proud of. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/54 "2011-09-29T23:02:47Z")
For me, compassion is not triggered by merit, but by suffering and need. For me the undeserving merit my compassion as well. Of course, everyone is free to give or not, however they wish. People being different, there are many outlets for giving, thank goodness. This… > [@](#): > > All so that you can have a smug feeling of moral superiority. > Reply With Quote …seems terribly misguided to me. It’s not the other posters, in this thread, displaying this, it’s you, to my mind. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/55 "2011-09-29T23:06:39Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > In Portland there are two general shelters in town that are open at night, a couple more that are for Vets. For women and children there are a couple in town and 4 more from 8 to 16 miles from town…and waiting lists for all these. Food and space is limited for all shelters, and since you have to get in line early to stand a chance of getting in, you don’t stand much of a chance of getting in another shelter if the one you are in line for fills up. Teens have it much worse in that they are prey in the adult shelters and not part of a family for the family(women and children) shelters. I’m not disputing or addressing aby of any of that-- I was responding only to your lines about starting the day hungry: I’ve worked in several shelters, and I’ve never heard of one that did not ever usually do breakfast. FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/56 "2011-09-29T23:19:35Z")
I often give money to panhandlers. I live in the San Fernando Valley and there are lots of panhandlers. I do not know if they are homeless as opposed to having a roof over their heads while still being dirt poor. I will give the destitue, the old and infirm and the growing ranks of physically challenged (usually missing limbs). I will not give to those who appear young and able-bodied. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/57 "2011-09-29T23:57:51Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > For me, compassion is not triggered by merit, but by suffering and need. For me the undeserving merit my compassion as well. I would say the critical issue here is not whether the panhandler deserves help but the likely consequences of giving him money. Which are almost assuredly negative. > [@](#): > > This… > …seems terribly misguided to me. Perhaps that’s because you do not grasp the above distinction. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Smashy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mr\_Smashy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Smashy)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/58 "2011-09-30T00:34:30Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So how do you tend to the homeless in Virginia? My guess, and it’s only a guess, is that our state (sorry, Commonwealth, whatever that means) doesn’t provide the overly generous welfare benefits as others, so they flock to where they can get more bennies. I also suspect that, having worked there before and not seen any bums, the cops in even the more lefty/urban enclaves, like Arlington, have standing orders to move them along. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Smashy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mr\_Smashy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Smashy)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/59 "2011-09-30T00:35:44Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If that excuse allows you to sleep at night, more power to you. I, on the other hand, remember what it was like and how complicated the real truth of the matter is. So you used to be a beggar? ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001/60 "2011-09-30T00:36:15Z")
No doesn’t change anything-if they were hungry I might buy them some food maybe for example. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-money-to-panhandlers-beggars-homeless-on-the-street/598001.md?page=4)