To give or not to give; should I give my change to a bum on the street?

Question

I landed a cool, new job at a law library, however, it's in the downtown area where transients are quite ubiquitous.

This evening, a fellow came up to me as I was going into a 7-11 asking me for change. He said that he was behind his rent for three days and needed all the change he could get. I gave him the contents of my change pocket in my wallet and went on my way.

As I boarded the trolley to go home, I saw him on there, asking people for money. He looked a little ragged; his feet were dirty, etc. Something told me that he was probably asking for change to buy either drugs or booze.

My dad told me to NEVER, EVER give $$$ to the homeless. The pastor at my church said the exact opposite. Who is right? My pastor or my dad? The pastor's explanation is that God sometimes uses the money for good things (however, sometimes the homeless "misuse" those funds).

So should I have given the guy my change? Hey, it's not my fault he's behind on his rent.

Answer 1

Your dad is right. If you want to give, then give to a program that helps people & they will regulate how it is spent. Many times it is a ploy to get you to open your purse & then jack you.

Besides there is a difference between the homeless & bums. The homeless are people living in their cars, washing up in a McDonalds rest room to try for a job. They fell on hard times & are trying to get back on their feet anyway they can.These people need others helps to get back into the main stream. They get food/clothes from churches & truly try. Bums are like strays, if you feed them they will keep coming back & draw others to the area. They do not want back into the main stream of life. They want a 40 ouncer & a bench to sleep it off on. There is a difference between being helpful & being silly. You were silly.

Answer 2

I don't think so.

First of all, you might become identified as an easy mark.

Secondly, many "homeless" people knock down more money panhandling than regular working people. A Houston radio station busted a panhandler after watching him for a while. At the end of the day, he would go get into his Cadillac Escalade and drive home to the suburbs. Based on his lifestyle, they figured he was clearing about $10,000 per month, just for playing an acting role.

Thirdly, yes, some homeless people do buy drugs, which not only helps to keep them down, it also supports the drug industry, breeding more crime.

There are many social services programs, although I don't think there are enough. I do understand the willingness to give a pathetic looking individual a few dollars a day instead of a struggling shetler, or pantry or clinic or other service providers $50 per month, or $2.50 per workday, or even $20 per month, $1 per workday. People can also volunteer time at social services organizations.

I think your Dad is right, and would wonder what kind of outreach programs your church has. If none, perhaps you could help get one started.

Don't worry about whether you should have given the guy your change, that is in the past. Look to the future to make a more effective change at helping others who genuinely are in need.

Good luck in making the right decision for yourself.

Answer 3

It's a tough call. Not so much because you can't know how the money will be spent (hey, if it's a gift, it's a gift), but because you don't want to get a rep among the homeless there as "the guy who always hands out change" if there are a lot of homeless people in that area. That could seriously be dangerous. When I lived in Chicago I sort of made it my policy to give to women no matter what, to give to men who really looked homeless and not too crazy, and to take the best care I could of one particular homeless person, Burlap Man, who was a little crazy but otherwise the coolest person ever, and who only once ever ASKED me for money, even when it was -20 outside and he had no shoes. Frankly, he usually seemed much more appreciative of the fact that I took the time to chat with him and that I always said hello than he did of the money I gave him (although he appreciated that as well).

Answer 4

An excellent question.

Upon seeing a bum, there are some who would say, "Except for the grace of God, go I."

And others who might say, "Get a job, you parasite."

I think a lot of people are intimidated by transients and bums who solicit them for money - they are very good at what they do and that scenario is just plain extortion.

My personal view is that there are sufficient social services available and the need to beg on the street is, more than likely, for the purpose of purchasing items not found in the local soup kitchens or available with food stamps - drugs, alcohol, etc.

And don't fall for the old "too proud to accept charity from the available services" - what possibly could be more demeaning than begging money from strangers?

I guess in the end, it is up to the individual and how you feel - although I think your pastor's advice is admirable and well intentioned - I tend to side with your dad on this one.

Answer 5

It is very hard to judge. However, my Uncle was a social worker in New York City, he never gave street people money. He said they would misuse it by feeding their drug or booze habits. What he would do instead is offer to buy them a meal when they said they were hungry. And he did that often or he would go into a place and bring out food if they couldn't be brought in because of their condition. He felt this was a good compromise between doing charity and not feeding a habit.

When it comes to paying the rent...its harder, buying the person something to eat is not going to help too much. On the other hand you have no way of knowing where that money is going...I think you have to trust your gut in the circumstances.

Answer 6

Maybe the guy really was going to use it for some kind of rent, maybe he rents by the day at a motel... then again maybe he was lying and needed it for alcohol or drugs...
but its not up to you to determine this, you did a good thing by helping him and giving... that is the main point! What he does with it is up to him, because you gave it so it now belongs to him. You can't make stipulations on a gift otherwise it is not a true gift from the heart.
You can also say, I'm sorry I can't give you change but I would certainly like to buy you something to eat...

P.S. Congrats on the cool new job!

Answer 7

I think that you are a very giving person. I feel that giving to the poor through church and charities is fine, but giving to someone on the street is not safe. My brother was out with some friends and a bum asked him for money also, so he gave the guy like 5 bucks. Before he left the store, the man returned with a knife and demamded all of his money. See, he could have been killed from giving to someone on the street. I feel that giving through the church is the best way. If you still feel bad about not ginving to people you see on the street, maybe you could start voluenteering at a local soup kitchen and that way you would feel like you were giving to them. I wish you the best and I know the Lord will bless your unselfish spirit. God Bless.

Answer 8

No. I tell them no. Usally I just keep walking. Maybe the guy wouldn't be behind on his rent if he would put the drugs and booze down. Sometimes they get mad when they're told no. I actually went to the police station to complain about an overwhelming bum problem in a big city I go to. The police said there was an ordinance that prohibited panhandelers from blocking your path as you walked, following you down the street, or abusiveness. Find out what your ordinances and laws are. Find out if it is legal to carry mace in your city or state. There are some very bed people. Most bums are not bad as such, but can be very obnoxious. Most people I see just keep on walking when asked.
Most are drug and alcohol addicted. That's why they ask for and recieve alot of money to get more. I see it as hurting. I see it as helping them to drown in their own blood, if I give them money. One time, one had a sense of humor though. Hubby and I were walking and one asked him for money and hubby said he didn't have any. The guy said "That's OK, I take plastic." I dould have considered it the height of arrogance but chose to laugh instead. ON TRAINS- When they walk through trains giving speeches and asking for money, I pretend I am sleeping. Where I live pan handelers can be arrested for this. If one had no money, why would one pay to ride a train and ask for money. Hucksters.
IF YOU MUST GIVE, I recommend this. Take a box of granola bars with you or something like that. Just hand them out to people who ask for money. Most of the time they are thankful.

Answer 9

The real questions is "are you helping them?" I don't give money to any one I don't know no matter what their situation is because I have been scammed before. The same guy approached me in different places with the same sob story about running out of gas. If a person is homeless and you give them money, to me that is supporting the way of life they have come to accept. If no one gave them money they would have to seek out help at a shelter. If you want to help the homeless, give money to a homeless shelter that helps people get back into housing and sustain themselves. That helps the problem, not just the symptoms.

Answer 10

I do not believe that we should give up our compassion entirely about giving to the homeless who beg on the street. There is an elderly, partially blind woman who begs regularly in our downtown area. She lives in motels and is very poor. I give to her on occasion when I see her. She is in very bad shape.
On the other hand, I never give to healthy-looking, able bodied people that I see regularly. In fact, they really bother me, because they don't appear to be trying. They may be the type who are on drugs or alcohol.
When it comes right down to it, your pastor and your dad probably both have good reasons for their positions. My view is that discretion in giving is always important; however, we should always be available to give if God gives us a clear opportunity and the need is apparent. Be wise and discerning, yet be compassionate and open, too.