What's wrong with giving homeless people money?

Question

People are always asking what else they can give homeless people... why the hell not just give them $5?
"Because they'll spend it on drugs." That is the most judgmental and uncharitable thing I've ever heard. You can't possibly know that. And even if they do, that's their business... compassion and charity are conditional now?

It's just obvious to me that people need more than food... what about shoes? Or soap? You need money to get those things. Charities can provide them, but not for absolutely everyone.

And hell, I need a drink sometimes, and I have a home and family.

Answer 1

Preach on!!! We all need to be a little less judgmental and have a little faith in the human race. They will buy what they need, whether it be food or a drink. They know what they neen.

Answer 2

I would much rather give someone an actual item, like a coffee or a sandwich, rather than give them money and I will give you a reason why. I used to work at a supermarket that was right down the street from a homeless shelter. I worked in the liquor department. Countless times, I would be walking into work, see a group of the homeless people begging for money, then I'd be working the register and have them come up and buy liquor, most of the time it was the hard stuff. THAT'S why I don't give homeless people money. If they tell me that they're hungry and they're outside of a food establishment, I WILL ask them what they want and go in and get it for them. There have been many times when I've been asked for money because they're "hungry", then when I ask what they want to eat, they say "Just give me the money. I just want the money."

Answer 3

I've learned not to give them direct handouts unless it's maybe $1 or $2 and this is why. I once gave a man $5 to get some food at a restaurant he indicated next to him, then I stood a little ways away to see if he was actually going to do so. He went up to the fast food restaurant, paused, and then left again without going in. So my guess is he wasn't really as hungry as he said he was. I figure $1 or $2 is enough to tide someone over until they can make it to a soup kitchen. You notice I did not accuse this man of spending money on drugs - only that his story did not add up based on watching his actions. I think it would be better to donate money to consignment stores where people can get clothes to wear to job interviews, or else go volunteer in person at places like that, which I have done before although it's been a while.

Answer 4

I totally agree with you. Here is what I said about this about a month or so ago :


desperatehw
1 month ago

Report Abuse
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

No. I help people I don't know all the time. It is one of the reasons I enjoy this site so much, too. I realize that many of the people who want hand-outs use what I give them for reasons other than their survival (my favorite is the guy I see all the time with the sign that says "Why lie? I need a beer!), but I figure I am giving to them with no strings attached, not to be their "mother" so I can boss them around and say "here's money, but you have to spend it the way I tell you to." I only do that with my own children.

A gift given should be given with a whole heart, not for self-gratification or to pursue some personal agenda.

When I am lucky enough to cross paths with someone that I have the capacity to genuinely help and make a difference to their life, I do so willingly and thank God for the opportunity.

I am not kidding here, nor am I some kind of sanctimonious priss. I have made a lot of mistakes in my life, hurt people I never wanted to hurt, and this helps me to feel like I put my life back into balance. I may not live long enough to get it completely back in balance, but I can try.

========================================

I honestly believe that it is my choice to decide what to give and having decided to give, it is not my choice what the donee does with it. I think it is wrong to be so patronizing and holier than thou that you think you have the right to tell someone what to do with the largess you bestow on them. Of course, anyone of good conscience or morality hopes the needy person will put the gift to its best use, but until we have walked a mile in that person's shoes, we really can't say WHAT THAT BEST USE IS. and it is arrogant to act as if we can.

So I will continue to give money if that is what I have closest to hand when I see the homeless person, and I will not tell them what to do with it.

Thanks for the good question.

Answer 5

It's not wrong to give homeless people money, however some homeless people don't do all they can to change their situation and asking for money is a part of a daily routine. It's funny you asked this question because just the other day I was on the train and a man came on and asked everyone on the train to pool together so he could get 50 cents to get something to eat. Some people started to reach in their pockets to give him something but then he started complaining. I overheard a woman (in response to the man's complaining) say that she used to give to homeless people until the day someone threw away a sandwich she had just purchased for herself and given to them in response to their request for money to get something to eat. She saw the person throw it away and angrily say that they didn't want the sandwich but wanted the money. Go figure? Personal hygiene products are a personal responsibility and are available at shelters and other outreach agencies. A homeless person can get help. Asking for money should be something done to get from the street to a place where they can get help. I have been homeless myself so I know what I am talking about. I do give to homeless people as God directs me to do so.

Answer 6

It's not wrong to give them money as long as you realize that you may be enabling them to get drugs if that's what they're doing. It's personal preference. I think it's not about being judgemental, but being aware that your actions will have consequences on someone else's life. Maybe your $5 is enough for them to get that last hit that ends up being an overdose. If you want to be charitable, by all means be charitable, but you know that maybe talking to someone for a second and asking why they need $ and treating them like a real peron would go a lot further than your pocket change.

Answer 7

I have always been told to never give a homeless person money but if they are asking for food to never refuse them. And also from personal experience My friend and I were once approached by a homeless guy he asked for money when I asked for what he said he was hungry so I said meet us across the street at the restaurant so that I can buy you something to eat the guy refused and said he wanted money instead and because I wouldn't give home money he walked away and started bothering other folks.

Answer 8

Compassion and charity are one thing, contributing to a drug/alcohol problem is enabling, and I'm not into that. If I want to help the homeless, I'll donate through proven 501c(3) charity groups, not just by tossing money at a person on the street.

Answer 9

I half agree with you. I don't give them money. I don't care if they spend it on drugs. I buy them a sandwich. I live on the west coast of the US where homlessness is very popular with kids. I like their culture for the most part. But i think giving them money sends the message that they don't have to earn a living. Now i'm hip to the fact that a lot of jobs suck for a ton of reasons. Buying them a sandwich shows i care enough to spend time with them going to the store and caring that they eat well. If they go to a shelter they get a dose of religion. When i hang out with them i give them my spin on things. Basically my saying is- i care you eat well, jobs suck but find something you can to to be healthy and not hassled by being poor and never stop trying to make the world a better place rather than sponging.

Answer 10

I agree...I always give people asking for money a buck or two. That really comes from a conversation my dad and I had one time about a country song...that had something about what if that was Jesus standing there? And, my father is not an overly religious man yet, he's a good and decent man that knows it's about being a good person instead of how many days you spent in chruch.

Answer 11

That is not true, nor conditional charity. If there is someone asking for money, and you give them, you show the possibility of liveing on charity! And in that way the person will never want a job. Consequently, he will keep on asking for money, and keep on living in his poverty. He will NEVER wanna improve his life. As long as he can eat, everything is all right!!!