Would you donate to beggars? [In what condition would you do that?] If Y/N, why?

Answer 1

Yes I have and I do. It's the golden rule: how would I feel if I were homeless (nearly been there a few times, God seems to bail me out each time)? Then I reflect on what a difference I could make and the shame of knowing I let them starve to death by doing nothing. But at the same time, I can smell a rat, like this norotious panhandler in San Francisco who used his amputated leg as a sympathy draw, then got high on Heroin with the proceeds, and refused to go to a shelter even though the police tried to take him there. You've got to start by thinking that most of them really need help (innocent until proven guilty), and then try to spot the scam artists.

Answer 2

I've never actually been begged by a beggar before, but if I was, I would be more inclined to give them food than money. I don't trust people I don't know, and I don't want to give the person money if they're going to use it to buy something that will only make their situation worse, like drugs or alcohol. Food, though, I will always give.

Random-but-relevant story: I don't even remember how it happened, but my mother found a $20 bill and for whatever reason, she kept it. Starting to feel guilty about keeping it, she was driving along the road and saw a homeless person... so she pulled over and gave the person the $20... she thought he was probably going to use it to buy alcohol because he was sitting on a bench near a liquor store. When she drove by again, she saw he had a giant sandwich and a gallon of orange juice from the grocery store across the street. Apparently it brought a tear to her eye.

*EDIT*

BLAAAH I completely forgot about this one time I was driving and I saw a family on the side of the road (youngish couple with a little girl) with a sign that said, "Family needs food + gas to get home." I only had $5 in my wallet and nobody else was pulling over for them, I felt bad, so I turned around and went back to where they were to give them the $5. When I got back to them there were 3 other cars pulled over and more people were stopping. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Answer 3

I donate on a case by case basis. For instance There was this guy who had a sign saying he had a 9 year old daughter and needed to feed her. This was in san francisco (seems there are alot of those beggers there) Anyway i moved from san francisco and came back about 7 years later to find the same guy with the same sign saying he had a 9 year old daugther that he needed to feed. Amazing his daughter didnt age after 7 years.

I also never give money around christmas time either. The beggers are out in full force during that time to take advantage of christmas spirit. Most of them are not homeless. The ones i give to are the ones i feel really need it.

Answer 4

Yes, I would to the right people, and I think that anyone who wouldn't is selfish.
I know there are homeless persons out there who are that way because they CAN'T do any better at this moment in time (lost job, family, money, etc.). And yet there are some who choose to be that way, with no motivation to pick themselves up. This is where the difference is to me. I would donate clothes, blankets and food, but not money. Nowadays there are plenty of resources available as far as welfare, community programs, veterans resources and there are more than enough jobs (willing they get hired).
I live in a small town where there are 2-3 apparent homeless persons and there are probably a few more that hide better. Alot of people I know have offered money, food and jobs to one man and he refuses everything. Bittersweet in a way, it seems maybe he has lost everything but retained the most important, his pride.

Answer 5

Yes, occasionally. Sometimes I meet these people and get to know them. They are the one's I'm willing to donate money to. I have also donated blankets, backpacks filled with supplies like toothbrush, toothpaste, socks, a book, a small blanket, snacks, etc. I believe it is good for my children to see others as humans not just 'beggars'. Sometimes I even pay for a cheap hotel room for them, or buy them some coffee, etc. Maybe my contact with them will give them some hope and love.

Answer 6

I won't get near those people with the signs that say, "Will work for food." That's a scam.
I've had people approach me in parking lots asking for money to buy gas for their car because they are stranded and need to get home in another state. I tell them to meet me at the gas station and I'll fill their tank. They don't show up.
I have bought food for beggars and given that to them, but I will not hand them money.

Answer 7

Yes. In one sense I do that every day because I volunteer with a ministry that helps ppl in need. However this experience has led me to understand that usually the best help is to offer something other than money for example "burger bucks" ($1 fast food coupons) or in a place with public transportation something like bus tokens. Occassionally but rarely I have given money but only when I knew that the Lord led me to do that. It is usually much better to provide the need or supposed need than to provide money because that may well go for drugs or alcohol which may be what led them to needing to beg.

Since we live in an area that seems to draw people who think it would be a great place to live and then find it's hard to survive let alone live especially off season we often have a box in our car with single serving meals to give away like pop top cans of beanie weenies, raveoli, tuna, breakfast bars, juice boxes that someone can keep in a pocket or back pack. If there are children we give the child one or 2 meal bars or snack bars as well as whatever we give the parents because the kids are likely to eat theirs even if the parent trades theirs for smokes or whatever. We also carry a listing of help places in case somone says they don't know where to get help and pocket size gospels of John to give some hope and encouragement spiritually too.

Another great thing to have in the car or even a pocket is a few "survival blankets" These are available in WalMart sport dept, camping stores, and some grocery stores that have a cook out or camping section. They are a reflective plastic sheet that comes folded to cigarette pack size. It keeps off rain, reflects body heat in in the winter and sun heat out in summer. They cost $1-3 so are affordable to get a few for homeless ppl. They can literally save lives.

It is important to be careful and use good sense about getting involved in situations with strangers. This is especially true if you are alone and doubly so if you are a woman alone. Don't agree to go somewhere with the person other than a public place within plain sight and walking dstance. Don't have or show any amount of money over $5 or 10...keep helping coupons, tokens etc. in a different pocket from your other money. If you know you may buy someone a meal keep a few dollars for that separate from your other money.

If you want to help someone beyond a couple of meal coupons or bus tokens the best way is to ask them to go to a specific church, ministry, or agency and contact that place and tell them that you are willing to donate up to a specific ampunt to help that person if the church or agency checks them out and finds the need is real. That allows someone with experience to check out the situation and allows you to help without getting more involved than you may want to or should and keeps you from being seen as their ongoing source. An exception might be calling a motel and putting one or two night's room on your credit card for someone with little kids on a stormy night but be sure to not do it where they can hear your card number and tell the motel that your card is for this and only this not for extra charges toll calls, pay per view etc and is to be kept confidential. Motels understand and are used to this.

Answer 8

Absolutley. If I have the extra money, it's very hard for me to pass up someone who looks hungry and tired, so I usually buy them a meal or I'm not opposed to giving them cash.

I've been homeless with a small child, and if people didn't help me, we wouldn't have survived.

Answer 9

Its a matter of opinon really and on the day, i.e if you have money on you, you cant really judge a begger, we really do not know what he or she is going through really. It maybe easy for us to say they need the money for drugs etc.. Unless otherwise if you do not have the facts and you are in the situation someone beggs you for money give them it, and say to them kindly the best person to beg to is GOD

Answer 10

Yes I would. I would donate to beggers because my religion says we have to be kind to the poor and help the poor.