Should I help this homeless man?

Question

I live in a small town of around 5,000.00 and we dont have homeless people walking our streets but there is a homeless man around 55 yrs old holding a sign at a big grocery store asking for work for money. I dont know him. Should I not help him and if so how.

Answer 1

There is nothing wrong with lending a hand to someone in need. It is a good thing. I cant tell you how many times I have giving food or money to poor or homeless people. It makes me feel like I am doing something good. And it does NOT mean that you too will be poor or homeless yourself if you help someone that is. The word id Karma, which I believe in. I try to do good things in my lifetime so my NEXT life time brings me good things. You don't know why that man is homeless. He could have been a teacher, a husband, a father, a business man...it only takes ONE thing to bring you down lower that you ever imagined that you could be. So you do what you think is best, do what makes you feel good. Be kind.

Answer 2

Generally it's not a good idea to interact with this type of stranger. Additionally it gives a strange vibe that he's a homeless man in a town where there aren't many homeless people. Though this isn't always true, this can often mean that these people aren't actually homeless, maybe just really poor. Overall, if you want to feel a little bit better about this guy, just give him some spare change, but don't do anything else.

Answer 3

Most people these days still have a sense of pride. Ask him what type of work he can do and give him a small task for the day- mow the lawn, weed, help walk old clothes over to Goodwill, etc.
If you don't have anything for him to do, you can always ask him what he would like to eat and buy it for him (or a gift cert to any fast food etc) . I usually don't give cash because there is no way to follow what is being done with it, but whatever you decide shall surely be of help. (Help out- not Hand Out)

Answer 4

I'm am always weary of giving the homeless money, cause I dont know what they will do with it. So, in my opinion, the best way to help them is to buy them something to eat. Or, if it's cold, a good coat, or maybe some shoes.

Answer 5

If you really want to help him, call your local authorities who have shelter and food that can help him for a period of time much longer than the donation you can make once in awhile. Salvation Army has shelters that will feed, cloth, and help the person with employment and has counseling for substance abuse. Better leave it to people who are trained specifically to help people in need, you could help by just alerting them.

Answer 6

Be careful. A lot of homeless people get money and blow it on booze or drugs.
I'd be willing to buy him some food but I wouldn't give money away.

Answer 7

never give a homeless person money! buy him a sandwich or some food and Give him a pamphlet from a local shelter, or pay for a cab to drive him to the shelter (never let strangers in your car!)

Answer 8

Rose I would check him out where he come from at one point
maybe talk to him why are you homeless?say something or go to the police if one is willing to check him out it is like ppl hiking I don't them I don't pick them
up if there is a women and a child involve then it would be different plz find out

Answer 9

um you could probably tell if he is a fraud or not but to be safe report him to police or if you don't want that just tell him about the nearest Homeless shelter. Don't give him money cuz he might be faking it.

Answer 10

I think you should give him some food passes. You never know what he is going to do with that money. He might buy drugs or something.