Was I had by homeless fraud?

From the Community…

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  Posted by DeAnn Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:09am PST

  I think if a person lacks so much self-respect and pride, they deserve the buck. If they honestly feel the need to beg to make a few bucks, they can have it. It takes some real humility (or balls, or both), to sit there in the cold (or 102F heat of TX in summer) with nothing to do, bored out of your mind, and taking contributions and crap from passers-by. Yes, crap. Panhandlers often get their share of rude comments, are spat on, harassed by police, etc. More power to them I say. Not much worse than my last job and probably pays the same.

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  Posted by Mysterious Gryphon Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:13am PST

  I wonder this too! Living in Chicago means you are constantly hassled by those who want a piece of what you've got, and it's hard to say no, especially when you are on your way out of Walgreens, or worse, the bank.

  I was recently laid off myself, and while asking your retiree parents for a loan is humiliating, I'm grateful that I have someone to lean on in tough times and wonder what I'd do if I didn't.

  I've heard about this sort of thing before, where those who panhandle on the street make enough to buy a new house, etc, but my fear is that my money is going to support a drug habit. It's one thing to have fallen on hard times, but quite another to participate in an active drug addiction when there are so many organizations out there who will help people overcome this disease.

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  Posted by Jett Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:24am PST

  I know what you mean. On Halloween I saw a couple standing at the on-ramp to the nearby interstate as I drove to work. When I drove home, they were still there, standing in the grass between the on and off ramps. I didn't know if they were homeless or out of work, but I figured if they stood there all day, they must be really desperate. It was after 5:30 at night, getting dark and getting cold. I didn't have any cash or food for them, so I stopped at a nearby handy mart and bought them two bottles of water, two bags of mixed nuts and two Reese's big cups (it was, after all, Halloween.) I had to park along the side of the bypass and run over to them, but they looked appreciative as I handed them the bag with the food. I never saw them there again, and I'll never know if what I gave them helped, but I have to think it did. I felt compelled to help them knowing that I was on my way to go home, put out a bowl of candy and then walk up the street to go trick-or-treating with my nieces. There would be no trick-or-treating for them that night, just panhandling, so I knew I had to do something.

  I can't answer you're question, but does it really matter? It was only a dollar.

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  Posted by FiredFor Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:08pm PST

  Jett -- totally agree. The dollar has zero significance. It was simply interesting to watch my own reaction in that split moment when I realized this person was likely not what I first assumed.

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  Posted by MAN U #1 Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:25pm PST

  I agree with what he did, anyone should help others no matter their situation, because you don't konow that it might happen to you or a loved one in the future.

  IN TODAYS ECONOMY, WE SHOULD GIVE TO THE POOR LIKE OBAMA SAID,

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  Posted by MAN U #1 Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:26pm PST

  I agree with what he did, anyone should help others no matter their situation, because you don't konow that it might happen to you or a loved one in the future.

  IN TODAYS ECONOMY, WE SHOULD GIVE TO THE POOR LIKE OBAMA SAID,

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  Posted by Spam I Am Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:13pm PST

  It's simple for me- I reward HONESTY.

  Years ago while visiting Seattle, I was walking down First Ave. and

  I met a gentleman with a sign that said "Need money for beer". I gave

  him some money. The man then proceeded on a diatribe against the pathe-tic lies and stories of his fellow beggars. He informed me that he had enjoyed his greatest success begging with this sign!

  Three years ago while visiting Las Vegas I saw a beggar outside the

  Bonanza Gift Store at Sahara and Las Vegas blvd. His sign said "Need

  money for beer". I gave him money, too.

  Just 2 months ago, while crossing the pedestrian bridge across Tropi-

  cana avenue I saw a man with the exact same sign. Maybe the same man.

  Exclaiming "An honest man!" I gave him a dollar. Should've given him

  more.

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  Posted by MarriageFan Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:05pm PST

  This is not the third world. Our society has many resources to provide for people in desperate situations...those resources include rescue missions, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and most churches. I believe that people need to seek out these organizations if they need help...not beg on the street corners. Not only will these organizations provide temporary shelter and food, but they are also equipped to connect these people with additional resources to provide job training and long-term solutions to homelessness.

  However, there will always be some who choose the "begging" route, and I certainly don't want my children to grow up feeling that these people are beneath our notice. So here's how my family has decided to handle this situation. My children helped me make up some "emergency kits"--gallon size ziplock baggies, each of which contain a juice box, some packets of crackers and cheese, and a small package of beef jerky. The baggie also contains a list of local shelters in our area with a map of where they are located, plus a brochure showing local bus routes.

  We keep a box in the back seat of our car, which holds several of these "emergency kits". Whenever we see someone begging on the street, we give them one of our kits and encourage them to go to a shelter. We don't give out money, because we don't know how it will be spent. But if they seem interested in going to a shelter and need transportation, we offer to give them a bus pass. My husband and I have chosen not to offer these strangers rides in our car, as we feel that our primary job as parents must be to ensure the safety of our kids.

  This approach teaches our children to have responsible compassion for others. Perhaps you have heard the old saying: "If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. But if you teach a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime." Well, that is the philosophy we teach our children. Show those in need where to go for help, and if necessary, provide them with the means to get to that help. The rest is up to them.

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  Posted by Caitie Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:22pm PST

  There is a guy going around New England making videos asking for money. I forget what he looks likes but there are websites against giving him money.

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  Posted by Tunde Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:13am PST

  hi

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