Would it be ok to give FOOD ITEMS to a homeless person, instead of money?

Question

I was discussing this with a friend, and the legal side of this has me concerned: would it be ok to give non-perishable food items, like crackers, canned fruit drinks, etc, to a homeless person that's begging on the corner, instead of money?

Part of me thinks this would be fine, but on the other side, what if the person had a reaction to the food and got sick? (say you gave a packet of peanut butter crackers and the person had an allergic reaction?)

Is giving actual food to a homeless person a bad practice, and would it be better to just give some money for food? (I know the old argument that the money would just go to booze and smokes, but I don't think this is always the case.)

Thoughts?

Answer 1

Well, it's a good thing to think about.

Organizations who feed homeless actually do have to get permits and be approved, and deal with such issues. It's not as simple as just handing out food, and there are legal ramifications if you don't go through the system.

If you want to feed a homeless person (a great thing, btw), here is what I would consider:

1. If you give them canned goods, you'd better give them a can opener. ;)

2. If you give them straight cash, there's obviously a chance they will be tempted to spend it on comfort drugs (booze, cigs, whatever). You can't assume it; but you can't NOT assume it, because it does happen often.

3. People are homeless for many reasons. Some are simply victims of bad fortune; some just are not willing to apply themselves in the system. It's hard to have a blanket rule to cover everyone. Some people want help; others just want to have others support them.

4. If you want to feed them, consider taking them out yourself for a meal and sitting with them and talking to them. I did do this once (it was terrifying, because I'm an introvert, but I felt like I needed to help a particular stranger); and it seemed like the person benefitted more from being treated as human and having someone listen, rather than from the actual meal.

5. Consider supporting a homeless shelter / meal provider in your area. They've already taken care of the legal issues, and many of the homeless already are tied into them and go there for food. Then you don't have to worry about an individual mis-spending the money you give them. They also know of other needs (prescriptions and such) that the homeless have.

6. I don't know how many homeless people hired lawyers in

Anyway, those are my thoughts on it. There are two links below I found that looked interesting.

Answer 2

It's more than the fact that the money would or could go to booze and smokes, there are some folks out there who will "play" homeless to actually get money from people who are willing to give. If the person is sincere, usually they have a sign that reads something like "will work for food" or something like that. I wouldn't trust giving money on the street, but in the end, you do what's in your heart, you're doing the right thing. Don't second guess yourself in something is weighing on your heart. Whether you know what they are doing with the money or not, you are doing a good thing by following your heart and trying to help. It's totally up to you and how you feel about the individual situation!!

Answer 3

Good question. I usually try to give homeless people food instead of money, simply because of that old argument that you don't know where the money will go. Plus, some restaurants do not want homeless people to come in, so it wouldn't help them to have the money. But to stay on the safe side, it might be good to give them food that most people are not allergic to. That is, give them chicken or beef instead of peanut butter. You might ask the homeless person if they are allergic to anything, and then shop accordingly.

Answer 4

I don't give anything to the homeless anymore. Once in a while I would give money until I saw a person go right into the liquor store after giving them something. On another occassion, I gave a girl some food. She would stand outside of the train station every morning in 20 degree weather w/ 2 small children. I gave her McDonald's, she frowned at it and gave it back. That ended me giving any of them anything. There are A LOT of "homeless" people who aren't really homeless. I have tons in my area. My thing is, get a real job and stop begging from those of us who bust our butts every day to make a living!!!

Answer 5

I would give them the money and not be concerned about what they do with the
money. Its their life, right? If they want
to spend the money on smokes or booze
that is their choice. A smart homeless
person would buy food, but, let's face it
a lot of them aren't too bright.
You should feel great that you gave a
homeless person some money and
leave it at that.

Answer 6

I think it's more likely that the person will spend the money on alcohol and drugs than that they will have an allergic reaction to the food. Even if they are allergic to the food, shouldn't it be their job to know that? (I mean, they've probably run into peanut butter before.) From my standpoint, food is a safer and more practical donation.
My bro and I have taken homless people to restuarants, let them choose their meal, and talked with them for a while. They really appreciate the help and the friendly interaction.

Answer 7

I would never give money to a homeless person. I was homeless, and it took that level of desperation, to get me motivated. I went out, got a job, and now I am a home owner. Everyone wants a handout these days. Get off the corner, and get in the unemployment line. McDonald's pays a decent wage, and has an employee meal program. Hey, it's better than standing on a corner waiting on a hand out. And btw, McDonald's decent wage, is far better than no wages, on that corner........it's at least a start.

Answer 8

The fastest growing segment of homeless people is women with children. This points to violence in the home as a cause. The largest segment of homeless people have mental illness. These two groups are not going to buy drugs. In fact, I know of a group of homeless people (a tent city) that have jobs. They just don't gt paid enough to save for deposits, or the places they can afford are not much better than their tents. The most vocal are the addicts and alcoholics, that's why we associate them with homelessness, but even they have to eat. Maybe a kindness would help motivate this group to change.
Giving anyone food is better than treating them like they're invisible.

Answer 9

You thinking about this says a lot about your character. I guess one could drive themselves crazy trying to figure out a way to help the homeless without hindering them more. Food is always a good choice. It does seem like a lot of people are allergic to peanuts though. Maybe avoid foods that a high percentage of the population is allergic to. It's not foolproof, but it's a start.

As for giving money, I've never done it.

Answer 10

Well, you should probably just avoid foods that are common allergens, like peanut butter.

You never know what someone needs the money for--sure, booze and cigarettes, but maybe shelter for the night or a new blanket or pair of shoes. Why not give them both an apple and $5?

Once my mom and I passed a guy with a sign that read, "Why lie? Need a beer." She drove round the corner to the nearest convenience store, picked up a tall boy, and handed it out the window as we passed him again. He said, "Right on, sister!" If you ask me, that's real charity. Who are we to judge someone's needs?

One of my best memories of my mom, oddly.