Do you think homeless people (or people who beg on the street) have a more difficult time now....?

Question

that mostly all places take a checkcard and people carry less cash now. Or are they still maintaining the same income? Also, what do you think about people who beg for like 5 bucks instead of like 1 buck or 50cents? It happens to me all the time. People say they can do nothing with 1 dollar.

Answer 1

I think it depends where someone is panhandling. In Calgary, where I live, there is a campaign to donate your spare change to the organizations which support people living on the streets, rather than donating to the people asking for money on the corner. There are a couple of reasons for this.

1. Not everyone asking for money needs it. Look at their shoes, their nails. Some of the people are making more than most of us who work 40 hours a week. It's a fun thing to go and get spending money from someone with a big heart.

2. Some of the people asking for food or money are getting violent. A woman was taken by a girl's story of hunger. She went and bought food at McDonald's and the girl threw it at her, telling her she only wanted money. The girl swore at the woman and became extremely angry. People are feeling threatened that they will be hurt if they don't give money.

Honestly, I prefer to give gift certificates for Tim Horton's or McDonald's. They can't be converted for cash and they will provide a meal or hot drink...that can be more important than money.

Answer 2

I don't think that homeless people have it harder. Their situation seems to pretty much be the same...no home, no job, no money. People may have less cash on them now a days, but I would think most will still carry a few bucks with them (I do). I'm just surprised that a homeless person would actually dare to ask for more money. I guess they don't have anything to lose by asking, but it would certainly put me off. Basically, I'm being generous in giving you some money out of the kindness of my heart and you're telling me that it's not enough? I mean, sure, we could always give more but then $5 won't be enough and they'll want $10 and $20...

Answer 3

There are agencies that provide food, clothing and shelter for the homeless. The agencies don't, however, provide money for cigarettes, alcohol or drugs. So, when you see a homeless person begging, it is for one of these items. If they're just trying to get cigarette money, it only takes an hour or two. But, when they're out there begging all day, that's for drug money.

I don't think their income is affected by people carrying less cash. A good panhandler can still make $50-100 a day.

Answer 4

i think it has always been hard for them.

i want to smack them when they ask for $5!!! They have a better chance of getting more from me when they ask for less. I have given people $20 when they asked for change. I just think it is a little nervey to ask for $5.

Answer 5

i don't think so but i guess maybe they do because people are smarter about what home-less do; I mean some jsut wanna be home-less while others dont and its a very confusing matter for people to give or not to give....