Do you ever give money to street people?

Do you ever see some poor soul on the corner asking for cash? Do you ever give them anything?
My take - I ain't rich - but I've usually got a coupla bucks in my pocket - and when the spirit moves me, I'll give it to somebody who looks like they need it.
They may be pulling in 50 g's a month on that corner - or buying some a-1 smack. I really don't know. They just might have a hungry kid, or they're mental condition may not let them keep a job. Or may the wife needs to get here diabetic medicine. I just don't know.
So what if they're are a lot of jerks out there - I'll never miss 2 bucks and maybe someone can have a meal that would miss it otherwise. Let Karma take care of the jerks.
You're take?

 

I live in Philadelphia-they are all over my city.

I give money every now and then. Females especially. I usually walk to work with some fruit-apples and bananas. I'll share some of those.

 

i used to when i lived in cities

nobody bums where i live now

my dad was homeless the last 10 years of his life . . .

 

Very nice idea - I like that.

 

yes i do..i also have given weed,food,gloves off my own hands,a ride and many many cigarettes..and i have opened my home to several different people that were 'homeless'....

because
what goes around
comes around:mickey:

 

ill throw them some change or a buck or two as long as theyre not being pushy about it. if someone tries to demand money from me, not a chance.

some of the most interesting people i've ever met were homeless

 

i'm just remembering a guy i knew who lived in a box in nyc, asked me for food to make what he called "homeless spaghetti" - white bread, american cheese, tomato sauce

a person could eat worse . . .

 

I give money and buy them food and beer as often as I can afford to.

When I go downtown to drink (once or twice a week) I'll usually buy a few tall cans of beer to give to the next homeless person I see. I figure I'm having a few, they might as well have some too.

When I give money most are honest and will say, "I just want some money for beer." Thing is though, a lot of the homeless people that go into the liquor store downtown get thrown out (many steal).

I've had a few refuse food though, asking for money instead. Though it's understandable they want money to get high or drunk, it's a pretty big "fuck you," when you're just trying to give them something to eat.

 

Nobody bums around her either - but I do go to the coast periodically - and there I see them periodically. The towns and cities are starting run make it illegal for homeless to live in the woods and street people bumming. Maybe we could build giant walled enclosures for them so people won't see.

 

I sometimes give people food. Much more rarely money.

I think there was a study that said that there was no evidence that giving money to people on the street made them better off. I don't know much about the study, but I could see why that might be true.

I think a lot of folks on the streets have problems with addiction. In those cases, giving money is just feeding the addiction.

It might be better to find a reputable charity that supports the homeless and give to that.

Even if you don't give money though, I don't think you should just walk by and say nothing.

I usually say something like, "sorry brother, not today" when I'm asked for money.

 

There are always beggars at a gas station I go to and I'll give them what ever change I have. Someone asked me for a meal like a month ago, but all I had was a debit card and was in a hurry so I refused. I kinda feel bad about it now.

 

The whole point is that it doesn't matter what they do with the money. Does your employer or friends and family ask you what you do with your money? No (they shouldn't). So, if you decide to give someone money, you're doing it because they deserve a little piece of something we all have. For whatever reason they can't or choose not to get some of their own.

I've had this discussion with family before. Some won't give money because they don't want the person spending it on booze or drugs, so they'll give a coffee. I don't really think a person out in the miserable cold on the smelly street really wants a coffee they'll be finished in 5 minutes. They want a buzz to keep them warm and to escape the shittiness if only for one night. Not all of them of course.

But if you give money, you're doing it to give them something that they don't have. What they choose to do with it is their business.

 

Especially depending on where I'm at I preferr to give food, a sandwich, gator ade whatever. If a person has an obvious disability I sometimes ask if I can get them something they need...socks, shirt, food, whatever in reason. I feel like I've been damn fortunate in life and don't have an issue with giving to folks in need...there but for fortune go I

 

I'm really kind of blown away by the positive response. I was expecting more "let the sorry bastards get a job"

 

I'm going to be that negative asshole!

I never give money. I used to, but I guess we have different types of homeless people around here then you all have in your areas? All they want around here is booze...

 

You probably would too.

Say you have depression, some form of pain, anxiety, sleeping issues, etc. your doctor will prescribe you something. A friend will sell you drugs, you might buy some beer, etc.

If you had nothing in life to make to happy, no reason to wake up, no reason to sleep well at night, just day after day of idle nothingness, you'd want to self medicate as well.

 

I'm pretty sure I'd be much hungier then I would desire alcohol...

 

If you had to sleep every night on some shitty street curb, being able to pass out and escape it would take precedence over having some food in your stomach. If you were depressed you'd lose your appetite. Not only that, but most homeless people probably only get enough money to eat once a day either way. After awhile you just wouldn't feel hungry anymore.

After a few weeks/months I doubt you'd be more concerned with eating.

 

most "homeless" people here arent really homeless at all.
the government is good to people. they give them money weekly, they give them free medical cards so they get everything(medically prescribed, or hospital fees) for free.
they help them pay rent. they give child support. etc. etc. etc.

sooo i have to be the person thats says, no i dont.

I buy things off charities tho. Yesterday i bought a calender off the Animal rescue people. its cute.

 

I usually don't give out money, especially as I really never carry any cash. But if I have food with me I definitely give that to those who need it.