You see a person on the corner holding a sign saying "will work for food" what is your first thought

Question

do you believe them or do you think they just want you to give money?

Do you pass them by or do you stop and offer food, help, ect.?

Do you consider it may be a scam for panhandling or a real need?

Answer 1

I have a little story to tell you.

About a month ago, someone I know went to Wal-Mart's deli to buy some fried chicken (it's really not bad, actually). For reasons she couldn't understand, she bought two bags of chicken instead of one and two containers of macaroni salad, when she knew they would only eat one. Her daughter looked at her quizzically, (I guess she thought her mom was pre-menstrual, LOL) but didn't say anything.

She drove out of the parking lot and on a corner, saw a man and a pregnant woman standing there with a sign that said "traveling and hungry ... any help appreciated." She pulled up beside them and, without a word, handed a bag of chicken and a container of macaroni salad to them. They thanked her, but she told them it was from God and not from her; she is much too selfish to have thought of this on her own. So HER first thought would have been to drive on by; but GOD'S thought was, "help them just as I have helped you."

Answer 2

I have never passed a person whose sign says will work for food while I was walking, only driving. However, if I did see a person holding a sign like that and I was walking, I would give them some money for food. They might not use it for food, but I figure it won't hurt to give them a couple of dollars. They may be lying, but on the other hand, they might NOT be and I would never want to deny someone my help if they honestly need it. Near my college there are a lot of homeless people on one street, and when I was walking there one day, there was this one couple who looked really down and out and asked me for some money and I felt so bad. I usually only carry a debit card and no cash, but I gave them all the change I had in my wallet. What they do with the money is there business, I just like to help if there is something I can do.

Answer 3

I wouldn't judge them at all. If I had some spare money I'd give it to them. If I was near a McDonald's or other fast food place I'd pick them up something to eat. It's probably a real need if a person has the guts to stand on a corner with a sign. Sure, they could be some crazed killer, but I wouldn't be worried if I was just handing food or money out the window with cars all around me. Even if the person was a hopeless drug addict, I know how that goes. I'd do what I could and say a prayer.

I do find it really annoying when "bums" sit on a corner with their perfectly healthy looking dogs. It makes me wonder...

Answer 4

I see them all the time. In fact, I stopped to talk with one of them one day. He claimed to be a homeless VietNam veteran.
He should have been about _my_ age, but he was actually much much younger..about 25 I would guess.
Anyway, this 'homeless vet' was wearing NEW Nike brand sneaks, a fairly new pair of jeans, and had a cup of Starbux coffee.
I offered to take him home and give him a real meal if he would mow grass and rake the leaves...probably about an hour's work.
Needless to say, he declined the offer.

Most of these people are scammers or just plain bums. Those who are actually homeless not by choice know where the shelter is and are in various programs to restart their lives.
Some of these folks are 'homeless' by choice and panhandlers by trade.

Answer 5

Honestly, I do wonder what caused them to be in that position in the first place. I believe most, but not all, cases of homelessness are caused by either mental illness or drug/alcohol addiction.

For this reason, I'm more likely to buy the person something to eat instead of handing over the cash. More than anything, I believe that genuinely homeless people are hurting and lonely. I'm sure it would mean the world to some if a person would just take the time to talk to them and make them feel like they matter.

Answer 6

1. How they came to be there?
2. What were they like before they came to be this way?
3. Do they have family?
4. Do they have any true goals?
I've been without a home before. But I didn't resort to begging, panhandling, or standing on a street corner. I went to one of those day labor places and worked for a few weeks until I could get to where I needed to go.
I'm doing a hell of a lot better now.

Answer 7

My first thought is.... Get a job! Even if you have to flip burgers. I gave a guy money one time and right in front of me, he walked into a liquor store. Never again! Also, there have been stories that some people actually panhandle for a living, which sucks for the people who are really in need.

Answer 8

I feel like turning around and going to a drive thru and picking that person up 2 meals.
I dont hand out money anymore.
Ive seen people and read about people who drive jags and stuff who have been caught panhandling...look around the corner after they leave i'll bet he/she pulls out a cell phone.

Answer 9

gonna tell you all a little story-i saw a fellow with a sign like that-i was driving past with my wife and kid going to kfc for supper-when we got there i ordered two meals that were the same-on the way back i put twenty dollars in the kfc bucket and we stopped beside this guy-i tolded him i didnt have any work but would this help-he couldnt thank me enough-then taking the food he ran back to a car that had two kids and a wife in there----guess they had a real need--i always think that it could be me there as my first thoughts and think of how i would want to be treated----just my thoughts--smile and enjoy the day

Answer 10

I give them a good look, to see if they really look in need or if they look healthy physically, and able to work, alot of times, they are in better shape then I am, if this is the case, I don't give, but if they look like maybe their crippled or handicaped in some way, then I give, sometimes I go get food from a fast food place and take it to them.