can you spare some change?

Question

do you give to the homeless..or do you pretend you havnt noticed and walk on by?

Answer 1

my boss told me a story, there was this guy sleeping in a public toilet because it was nice and cool on the concrete. My boss really needed to go to the toilet so he asked the homeless guy to look after his bag.

The guy did, and didn't steal anything. My boss gave the homeless guy money to get food. A little while later he walked into a place to eat, and the homeless guy was there trying to buy some food. They wouldn't serve him. So my boss said to the cashier, if you aren't going to serve him - we're going to leave too.

My boss shouted the homeless guy dinner, and the homeless guy tried to give my boss his money back.

He wasn't going to buy drugs or booze, he went straight to get food. But they wouldn't serve him because people think they are above people in need.

You all say, get a job! How can you get a job if you dont look presentable and live off the street?

Answer 2

Unfortunately, I cannot give change everytime I see a homeless, but I do my best to help whenever I can. Usually I don't like to see them smoking or drinking a can of beer, but I understand if they do (smoking suppress the appetite, and beer... well once in a while we deserve to indulge, even homeless.)
I read a magazine a year ago, stating that most of the homeless are former members of the army, whose contracts have expired and once they tried to work as a civilian, they face a life they didn't expect. They don't have required skills to start a new job - as military careers are very specific. And after a while their personal lives start to crumble, they leave their wives/husbands, children, start drinking to forget, and eventually they live their homes. I know this is true, as my father was an officer of the army and now he is retired and I see how he is adapting to civilian life and believe me, it hasn't been easy.
I would be very heartless if I turned my eyes away and didn't help someone who needed. So, yes I do spare some change whenever I can (and it's not 2 pence or 5 pence.)
In today's society I think it is very unfair that some have proper flats to live in, and others don't even have food for them and for their children, and moreover no opportunities whatsoever to start a new life.
I knew a girl who always walked around the area I lived in and one day I heard the story that her family had money and all the opportunities to provide her a good life. But one day she found out she was adopted and a prostitute's daughter. On that day, she ran away from home and lost her contact with reality. Strange enough, she never asked for money, only food and attention.
I think it's all said!

Answer 3

theres so much more you can do. sometimes change is good but half the time its used on alcohol or drugs or whatever. i would normally say give anything to the children on the streets but half the time their parents take the money. they will go as far as selling the shoes their children get from charities for w/e. when someone says they want change, give them a bright smile and say im very sorry i dont have any today but i hope your day is still great. if you want to do more than brighten them with a giant smile, help out at charitites. usually the people who need help and will take it will be here. theres a story for each person and theyre all different. best thing to do is get involved in a big brothers and big sisters program or any kind of volunteering like that. just to give these kids a chance to see theres a different life they can lead even at the state theyre at now. sure spare change is what they ask for, but sometimes the best thing you can do is just give them that giant smile. :)

Answer 4

This question makes me feel so bad. I usually walk by and pretend to not notice. But that's only because my parents don't let me give them money. Otherwise, I'd totally help them! While a few do have the ability to get a job, most didn't have the opportunity to learn the skills in order to do it. Also, it's not very easy to find work if you are homeless. Sadly, most companies aren't looking for those disadvantaged member of society because of widespread stereotypes degrading them.

Answer 5

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach him to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.

I don't give cash to anyone unless I see there is an immediate need. I'd rather help in other ways.

My brother and sister organized a program in Salt Lake City a few years ago where they'd make a big kettle of soup and then flip grilled cheese sandwiches on a camp stove in a park. They also gave Bibles to anyone who wanted them and had a brief prayer. 20 or 30 people usually showed up, and most of them were very nice and appreciative; I never heard of anyone asking for money when they were there--they just wanted something to eat and a little decent conversation and fellowship.

Another time, my roommate and I rode our motocycles to San Fansisco and parked in the Haight District to meet my cousin. My roommate gave a guy a buck who was sitting on thesidewalk playing his harmonica. When we got to the pizza place, my roommate could have sworn that he had another $20 in his pocket, and it must have fallen out. When we went back to our rides, the same guy was there and he said he watched our motorcycles for us (this was three or four hours later!) and was very appreciative and nice... guess where the $20 went... We were approached by and ignored many obvious druggies and drunks panhandling that trip, but I feel good knowing that one guy picked up a $20-bill.

Answer 6

When I worked in the city I walked a homeless lady quite often so I would pack an extra sandwich or some other snacks and give those to her instead of money. I do believe in giving to those who are in need but I'd rather give food or clothes.

Answer 7

I don't give spare change because I am only 13, so there are no homeless kids in my school. My church does Wesley Meal though, which is where we go downtown at this church and make a meal,and serve it, for about 130 homeless people. I go there almost every time and help out. It's really fun and it gives you a good feeling to give back.

Answer 8

Give a man a fish he will eat for a day, give the man a fishing rod he will sell it and buy some cheap cider.

I often buy food for homeless people, I was homeless for 16 months and I consider these people acquaintances of mine. Many of the people I met had mental health issues they could not address and used drugs and alcohol to get away from many problems, being homeless was rarely a problem for them there were many worse things in their lives.
In the winter I often allow them to come and stay in my flat, I give them hot food and a shower and we sit and have a few beers.
Last year two of these 'useless' homeless people stayed for two weeks and they couldn't understand what I had done to 'get out' (as they put it) so I explained it to them. I saw one of the guys a few months ago in a shirt and tie and he invited me to his flat, which I accepted. He still liked his strong cider, but he told me he only drank it after work now.

But as a rule I never giver beggars money, Carol singers are beggars, Children guying is begging.
Where I live we learn from a young age that you can beg and that gives it acceptability but I dont agree despite having done it myself

Answer 9

I always buy the Big Issue from our local seller and on occasion will buy him a hot drink. I'm cautious when giving to beggers on the street though. Recently I saw someone I know to be a drug addict begging outside a shop. I know he is not homeless but obviously begging for money to feed his habit. I would rather help drug addicts in other ways!

Answer 10

I know this might sound a bit incompassionate, but there have been many times when I pretended not to notice and just walked by.