Do you give money to people on the streets holding signs?

Answer 1

I do not. The local news has done many stories on these "people in need" only to discover its their "job" they get dropped off at different intersections, beg for money and then get picked up and go to a perfectly normal home.

There are different ways to help, it was starting to rain hard one day by my office I passed the bus stop and there was a young girl in a fast food outfit obviously on her way to work. I stopped and offered her a ride to work. She saw my business sign on my car so she did not hesitate and then got in. I took her to her job less than 10 minutes away by car but nearly an hour by bus.

Sometimes I go to a small restaurant by my work and I see the waitresses working hard for their meager pay and tips. I will try and leave 30.00 or something once in a while to make their day.

anything you can do to help someone trying to help themselves, that is when I help, not standing on a corner with a sign begging.

Answer 2

Mmm... i have never really seen one in Australia... They kind of just sleep on the sidewalk all sad and homeless and i just feel sorry for them.

I give money to the ones who are clearly very poor and are trying to make money by preforming and stuff. Also we sell a magazine here called "the big issue" and all the procedes go to helping the homeless so sometimes i buy that... I never want the magazine though, id almost just prefer to give them some money.

Answer 3

No - however there was an artical in the TO Sun awhile back about a couple of homeless men who were out picking up garbage off the streets - to these men I would give money to.

Answer 4

I help whoever I can. I've known this homeless guy ever since I was 7. His name is Levi and he is so sweet. Me and my dad met him at Mcdonalds and ever since then, he's been a friend to the family. On Christmas, we buy him a jacket and dad buys him tools so he can build his little shelters cuz kids keep going down there and tearing it down. We give him a little money to do what he wants with it and take him to a little fast food place or something. You can tell when people are genuine and when they just want booze and the ones I feel are true, I help with what I can.

Answer 5

Sometimes I do. When I first started working in Center City (downtown Philadelphia, PA), I used to give money to every panhandler who asked. But then I realized, hey, I work hard for my money, I can't keep giving my coffee/lunch money away!

I sympathize with a lot of homeless people, I know a lot of us are barely a paycheck away from losing everything, but I can't save everyone.

Some of those guys have a really good gig. There's one guy who stands near the clothespin sculpture around 15th and Market. He's lost one of his legs below the knee. He hops around on those crutches from 8 in the morning until 5 in the evening, at least 5 days a week - I don't go downtown on the weekends, so I don't know if he works the corner then too. He comes right in your face and shoves this paper cup under your chin. As soon as someone puts money in it, he takes the money out and puts it in his pocket. It works better for him psychologically if people see an empty cup.

He's famous around Philly. I know he makes good money, with the traffic he sees - that's pretty much the busiest corner in Center City. I gave him a dollar a few times, then I thought, this guy needs to get a job and work for his money like the rest of us do!

I still give people money occasionally, but not as much as I used to, there's just so many with their hands out, and like I said, I can't help everyone. I have to take care of me and mine!

Answer 6

Nope. I used to until I found out that it's usually a 'racket' and someone is paying them to stand there all day, while taking the money for themselves.

And why do homeless people always ask for an exact amount? "Hey, do you got .62 cents?" What is with that? I must have 'SUCKA' tattooed on my forehead, because the absolute strangest people will approach me. I once had a homeless man follow me back to my hotel because he said he was told by the angels to protect me. He seemed harmless enough, so I let him. I did ask him if he was sure it was angels.... or did they have horns and a forked tongue??? LOL!!

Answer 7

Hi Coach! Love your questions. Recently, no. I used to. I did and then the clerk at the store where he hangs out told me that the guy who said he was homeless actually has a govt' pension and an apartment. It's nicer than mine! I thought it was lame he was lying about being homeless. My BF doesn't give them money. But he does give them food or takeout sometimes.

Answer 8

I give them $.50 and a card from the Rescue Mission. I tell them to call and ask for help, the people who work at the mission are kind, caring and non-judgmental and they are in the business of helping those who want help. Then it is up to the person who received the card whether or not he/she makes the call.
That is all I can do for them, now the choice is theirs.

Answer 9

No, there was actually a guy in a town nearby who was tallying how much money he made everyday on the back of the sign he was holding. He often made $100 a day!!

Answer 10

I used to, don't now.
I realized how much they are potentially making a day and stopped.
I will occasionally give a sandwich or fruit to someone though. If they seem hungry.
I can't stand to think of there being hungry people around me while I am well fed.