I would like to help people in need who walk up to me and ask for help, but how do I know that they are not panhandling for drugs or alcohol? Would you just give them cash, or what would you do? How would you help them, but insure that they are not abusing the help? I had this happen last night, and I am not sure, but I think they were just panhandling (female asking for money for food for her and her daughter - gave her $10.00 cash). How could I have handled this better? I want to be a compassionate person, did I do the right thing?
2007-04-15 02:12:40 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I like the idea of panning a head and buying the food myself. I plan to make a "care box" and keep it in my car filled with unperishable foods and other items like bottled water, a phone card and list of numbers to call for help in the county, etc.. This leads to another question...
2007-04-16 03:25:16 · update #1
If you want to be sure that they are not doing drugs or alcohol with the money, offer to go and buy the food yourself and give them the food. If they turn you down that gives you some idea as to what their motives are.
When you're a charitable person people will sometimes take advantage. But don't let that stop you from helping others :)
2007-04-15 02:20:03 · answer #1 · answered by Julia Sugarbaker 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have started carrying food and clothing items in the car. The idea came to me one day when I had clothing in the car that I was planning to donate to goodwill. A woman came up to my husband and I, saying that she was hungry and had nothing to wear because she was running from an abusive boyfriend. I gave her the box and she sorted through it and took a few items. We then told her that we would buy her a meal at a nearby restaurant. She tried to convince us to give her cash. We told her we do not carry cash. She thanked us and went on her way. Most of the panhandlers we have met, have declined food, clothing and Bible based literature. All have tried to convince us to give them cash. One who accepted the offer later told my husband that he really wanted the money for alcohol and cigarettes. Since we did not give it to him, and he was hungry, he took us up on the offer of food and Bible literature. This convinces me that some of their stories are partially true. They may be cold, homeless, and hungry. But they are also alcoholics, drug addicts and others in need of medical intervention.
2007-04-15 09:35:54 · answer #2 · answered by babydoll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are not sure about giving cash to the homeless and those asking for spare change etc, go to McDonalds or any fastfood place and purchase their gift cards for food items and hand those out instead, or go in and buy a few meals and pass them out.
And the way I look at it if you give money to them, who are we to judge what they do with it? I just give cash and gift cards I dont expect anything in return and if they go and buy alcohol after wards that is on them I have done my part
2007-04-15 09:18:12 · answer #3 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I give each month so that my Church can help people who are hungry/homeless/in need...
I also give some homeless people cash each month.. I don't know if they are buying booze, drugs, etc.. and I know that giving them money is not really helping them because they will stay on the streets begging as long as they can survive there.. when they should be in a place that can help them out of their situation.. training.. education.. etc.. I try to give money to the ones that are crazy.. homelessness causes many to break down mentally and those are the ones that need the most help.
2007-04-15 09:35:23 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Tom♥ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe that you did the right thing. Always keep in mind, the line that seperates helping someone, and being taken advantage of. There are times that we will have to say NO. Don't be afraid to use it. I can relate to your situation. A good friend of mine wanted some money to buy stupid stuff, I just explained that my money is all tied up and I can't help him out. Go with your heart, and check the spirits, these will tell you if you are being taken or not. God Bless you in Jesus name.
2007-04-15 09:24:51 · answer #5 · answered by michael m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are clean . Tell them jobs every where. In BC. 600 bus drivers needed. A sub way is offreing a free apt. KFC is offrring $9.18. Ca nt get workers. I am 67 Could start work now..Before retiring gave out calling cards. No takers.A number of charities help people on the street, Give to them. everry one wins you get a tax reciept.
2007-04-15 09:29:20 · answer #6 · answered by Grand pa 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hello old man.. :)
I used to live in Phoenix, Arizona..where there are a great many homless people and panhandlers everywhere..
If one would say to me they were hungry, I would offer to buy them food..if they rejected my offer, I knew that they were only looking for the money and not to feed themselves..
The same would be if they had to pay their bills.. :)
In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ.. :)
2007-04-15 09:23:13 · answer #7 · answered by EyeLovesJesus 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
When it happens to me and I have time for it, I usually accompany them in a store and buy them some food. Rarely I give money directly. I can give money to trusted associations which help people (that is another sure way to avoid giving money for drogues).
2007-04-15 09:18:28 · answer #8 · answered by remy 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Offer to buy a meal. Be persuasive. Show that there are no strings attached. You are just doing the decent thing.
2007-04-15 09:17:53 · answer #9 · answered by Christian person 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You did the right thing, I always give whatever i can.In stead of thinking they will misuse your money,try thinking you may have just saved a life.Works for me.
2007-04-15 09:38:12 · answer #10 · answered by gwhiz1052 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋