Giving money to bums? yes or no?

Question

when i was younger i would stay away from bums because they were a threat to me.. now that im older when ever i see a homeless i always seem to give money.. and its not just a dollar its more 2-5 dollars.. i like it when i help them buy food, but sometimes i regret it because i know they were lying to me and were probably about to buy drugs or alcohol.. im a giving person.. but i dont give for the wrong reason..

so yeah giving money to people on the street yes or no?

and why?

Answer 1

Once I didn't have cash, so I gave someone an apple, a small carton of milk, and a soft drink. It was in the parking lot of a supermarket. I had just bought them. I took them out of the bag to give to him.

As I drove off and looked through my rear view window, I saw him throw it all in the trash. (I ASKED him if he wanted them; he could have said no.)

I almost never give money to people on the street anymore. There ARE places they can go for food. I don't throw my money away anymore, or supply money to drunks. I give through charities.

I DO hand out blankets in very cold weather.

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Answer 2

Not usually. Sometimes in an emergency, even a gallon or two of gasoline, as expensive as gas is now. Like you say, it's not just a dollar anymore. We were approached at a gas station, late after the inside clerk was closed, but you could get gas with a card at the pump, my husband put a couple gallons in a car that was out of gas, so it wouldn't start and it seemed obvious they had no money. May have been wrong - but it was very late - they were too young to leave them there without any gas, the payphone was broken and they didn't have any money and were traveling in a car with tags from another state trying to get home. It doesn't necessarily have to be a bum on the street that you might help one day. It could be anyone. You never know when you might be in a similar situation.

I would rather give or buy food and water for the person - not give cash - especially if it seems likely that they would not buy food for themselves if given the money anyway.

It is for the most part, good to give to programs at a church or shelters that provide food and supplies to the homeless.

Answer 3

Sometimes I ask them first what they plan to spend it on. Usually if I do have cash I only have a couple dollars, can't get much drugs with that... and frankly it's fine with me if they buy alcohol, especially in the winter, to help them stay warm.

Also sometimes I might just go into the nearest store and buy them a meal, then bring it back to them. That will guarantee it's being put to good use.

Answer 4

So that is Friday night in Rio and raining, and we pull as much as a streetlight. 2 childrens, approximately 10 years old, run out in front of the stopped autos on the intersection and start up juggling balls, many times doing little juggling tricks and now and returned dropping the balls interior the gutter. the youngsters are soaking moist and have not have been given any footwear. Their eyes dance between the balls, the streetlights that ought to alter any 2d, and on the tinted windshields staring them down. Out of 5 autos, one might crack a window and drop a single coin right into a baby's hand. those childrens are not addicts. they're working to assist their households (in all risk mum and dad that are addicts.) there is likewise the style that walk between the autos draping plastic bags atop the rearview mirrors. interior the luggage are approximately 10 products of no longer hassle-free candy with a card stapled around the front analyzing, "i'm attempting to earn an hassle-free living and help my toddlers. God Bless You." correct earlier the sunshine differences, the worker returns to the front of the line of autos and collects the candy or money. sure, i purchase candy and pay for entertainment.

Answer 5

I do all the time. And way too much normally. I usually end up giving them $20 because at least I know they can eat for a day on that or get overnight accomodation.

I've taken them into restaurants before to buy them meals but now I think that's very condescending. I should let them make choices about how they spend their money.

Why? Because humans in developed countries shouldn't have to live that way. And it could just have easily been me.

Answer 6

Heck yes. If I have it. I don't give to the people that are hanging out in front of liquor stores, I mean... come on talk about captain obvious. You would have to be a sucker to believe they'd spend it on anything other than beer or something. or sometimes when they're honest with you and tell you why they want your money it's better. I think "this guy has kahunas" My mom taught me to be generous and stuff so yeah. but hey, if you don't have the money then oh well.

Answer 7

I've been giving money to the people here that beg next to the roads...especially one man who was in a wheelchair. I even gave him some of the little bit of food that I could buy when I was out of a job and wondering how I was going to feed myself. Then one day my brother saw him get up out of his wheelchair and get into his Jeep and drive away. I don't give to beggars anymore, I give to charities that I know and trust!

Answer 8

No because I think its a life style choice. In my country poeple with a low socio-economic status have a lot more benifits than I do. Less/no taxes, cheap housing, diabled pension, the dole, free Dr & specialist, food vouchers and clothing, bedding. So I dont see a reason why ANYONE should be in that situation unless they want to. So I would rather spend it on giving it to charities.

Answer 9

I do i see them as being someones child, but sometimes i will buy them a hot drink and give it to them at least that way they can't go buy drugs or alcohol, instead of giving them money.

Answer 10

Yeah, often I do.

When I give money, I give it, no strings attached. Or I don't give it.
I mean who knows, and it's not worth agonizing over. Besides, we know that for somebody who is hooked, drugs and alcohol are food. These guys probably just have more pain than money.