Should we help beggars or just wing it to make them understand that begging is not good?

Question

They are all over the world ... in billions and counting

Answer 1

It is a kind and decent thing to help someone in need. We might be in the same situation some day. The problem presents itself when people beg. It becomes difficult to discern who has legitimate need, who is conning people, and who just wants the help from others so that they can buy booze and drugs. Most people who truly do have need, have at least some semblance of self-respect, and they would be too embarrassed to beg. Some will do whatever it takes, but in my experience, the majority of those who I have seen begging, do not have legitimate need. They are begging for money to help with their addicitions or are trying to con people. I know of a woman in Eastern Washington who begs year round. She wears an overcoat and sunglasses and makes the round of various corners in the city. Her sign says she will work for food and many people give her money. She wears a heat pack under her coat in the winter and a cooling pack in the summer. This woman drives a fancy car and lives in an expensive home in one of the nicer areas of the city. She is mentally ill and does this as a hobby. How do I know this? I used to work with someone who knows her well.

We should give if we are able and a person has a need. We should give with our eyes wide open however.

Answer 2

If you cannot find it in your heart to help another human being who has fallen, then the next best thing you can do is to not cause them any further hardship. The causes why a person resorts to beggary are many and it looks like you have never found yourself in a dire situation. Your parents provided for you and you are in good health.
Not every child is provided for. Some are thrown on the rubbish heap or maimed for life so they can become professional beggars .Some are abused at home, some are sold for money. Some are ill or overwhelmed by circumstances.
They know begging is no good but what you could do is show them a viable alternative.

Answer 3

I let my conscious be my guide, sometimes I help, other times i say 'sorry ,no." It depends on how they seem to me. In California a woman with 3 children was begging for food with a sign near a grocery, I offered a bag of food I had just paid for after seeing them outside, she declined saying cash was what she wanted.

In Eugene, Oregon a woman who stood on a corner near the college was proven to receive social security checks and panhandled up to $2000 a month and more on holidays.


When I see homeless asking for food I sometimes feed them but usually they want cash so i just pass.

Homeless and hungry does happen in America, sad to say. The food at the local missions is usually very meager. diapers, gas and such are harder to get for them. This is a very sensitive issue, most will not beg unless they are forced to by circumstances, Poor, hungry or hooked on alcohol or drugs.

Answer 4

Its easy to make somebody "understand" when you don't walk in his shoes.

Give or walk away? hard to say. I prefer give to organized charities tho. One hopes they distribute help wisely.

Answer 5

i ask them what they want the money for and dont lie if i think the are telling the truth i give it to then and if they ask for money for food i buy the food for them