What would you do?

Question

You're walking up to the supermarket to buy some milk and bread when a lady with a little girl stops you. She hands you a note that reads, "I am a single mother of four. I have just lost my job. Please help. I need money for food and rent. God Bless You."

You have a $1, $5, $10, and a $20 in your pocket/purse/wallet, more then enough for what you need. However, you are suspicious that she isn't in the dire straights she claims to be.

What do you do? And why?

Answer 1

In the time we live in now it is hard to tell when someone really needs our help , or if they are only trying to scam for drug money or just simply scam to be scamming . I think I would offer to buy her some food for her & her children & then I would offer the name & # of any orginization that I thought she could get help from , but I dont think I would just hand over money , we did that once & saw the lady a few days later eating out with no children & wearing nice cloths & driving a nice car we are more cautious as to whom we hand monay to.

Answer 2

first off if she is a mother of 4 where are the other 3? Also if she just lost her job, who watched the 4 children while she was at work. Child care is not cheap.. so she either had a good job or had a relative or close friend watch the kids. if that is the case she should be in the position to get another job to benefit her kids in the long run. I would talk to her & ask her what happened, where are her children, relatives, etc & try to give her advice on her situation in which to put her back in a position in which she could support her kids properly ie. she knows where the supermarket is... maybe she can work there. it has to be within walking distance since she is there (why? to help her in the long run). If i believed that she was truly in dire straights i would buy her some food from the supermarket as well as give her advice (why? to help her in the short term). if i did not believe her i would report her to supermarket security to have her removed from the parking lot as panhandling is not allowed (she is a scam artist & there are too many of those now days)

thanks,

SS

Answer 3

Unfortunately there is no way of knowing if it is a 'scam' and the Mom want's the money for other things or not. I would hope that if a person had money to spare they would help out.
I did have a similar experience. At the grocery store near my home I would see a woman sitting there a couple times a week with a sign. Sometimes she had kids with her, sometimes not. Apparently her husband was in jail and as a result she was eligible for some social services, but not all she needed. Admittedly I was concerned about what she would do with cash if I gave it to her. The store manager was a friend of mine and offered me a discount on an in-store grocery card if I wanted to give that to the woman.
The same store manager agreed to join a program to give perishable groceries that were at the end of their shelf life (realistically still good for a few days) and give them away to a local christian pantry to be distributed for free. They store was able to write off the loss instead of just throwing it out and the woman was then referred to the pantry.
You can't solve everyones problems. But every little bit helps

Answer 4

I would offer to take her into the store and buy her some groceries, (bread, milk, cereal etc.) and see how she reacts. If she says yes I would do it and then give her another $5 or $10 for misc. If she said no then I would tell her to go to Child and Family Services for help and go on about my business. Not to be mean but many people use children to gain sympathy and then use the $$ for "other things"

Answer 5

i would have her wait
go buy some bread, milk, and a few other necessities
and give them to her
that way i am still helping her out
i wouldn't give her money becuase she could just use that for drugs or alcohol
and i would see if the grocery store is hiring for jobs and point her in the direction of the the sevice desk



but that kind of question is tough
because you never know if it is a scam or not
but you hope they are being honest and that you
really did a good thing

Answer 6

I would do just what my pastor did take her in the store and let her pick out some food pay for it and bless the food and keep the receipt and tell her that if she tries to return the food to the store to buy drugs it will be a curse to her for lying and be on my way! then it would be up to her to make her decision!


Last time he did it the guy throw the food back at him and ran off swearing he want him to just give him money for drugs!!!!!!

Answer 7

It's a weird thing, but sometimes telling people to go to the grocery store and ask about getting hired or fill out an application is a sting too, coz maybe they already did that.

I would try to help, but not give money. Some food, definitely tell about social services, ask her what her degrees are, where she's tried to get hired, tell her different places if she doesn't mention one I know of.

Answer 8

Hello' I would but myself in her shoes,and give her at least the 5.00 bucks.The woman just lost her job,so it may not look like she is hurting,but looks are deciving.Many people may not look like they don't have money. We all should help oneanother,You never know when it may happen to you.I wish we could do something to change our world for the better. Just think you helped this person,and now she may say a prayer for you,How nice is that.

Answer 9

I would not give cash but rather take her into the store and buy her and her children what they could use. When i lived in L.A. I kept lunch bags in my car filled with non-perishible items along with plastic cutlery and napkins, a couple of dollars and encouraging scripture and i gave them out to any one who had need.

Answer 10

I tell her to speak now... no more note writing... grab yourself by the butt and throw yourself out of the hole you have dug for yourself. If you can write a note you can find another job...

Oh ya and keep you legs together.... 4 kids are enough if you already have trouble feeding them. Ever hear of adopting out ??