Homeless, Jobless, or Just Plain Hungry

[judith2263]

     I would just like to know how a person is suppose to know when they are handing money to a homeless person, how do you know they wouldn't go buy alcohol instead of food for the tummy or gas for their car?

[countrygirl12]

I guess that is just a chance you have to take.  Here is the thing, every town has some sort of food pantry or soup kitchens.  Most people bumming money want cash to buy drugs.  They don't want a job nor do they actually want food.

[madeara]

I will do what I can to help people.  It is  my place to love them.  It is not for me to judge or question them.

[tgreen20]

If you have to wonder what they are going to buy with the money you're going to give them, then you're NOT doing it from your heart.

 

[honeyflower93]

Most places have food pantries but the issue then is having access to resources to even find out when and where they are. Say that's squared away, then you have to find access to transportation to get there. There's really no such thing as free transportation unless you can find someone to give you a ride and not everyone has that. Then there's the issue of figuring out how to transport and carry the stuff, and if you're homeless, how to store it. If you've never been in this situation there's lots of factors that you don't think about. I'll usually just give and if they blow it, too bad. Nothing wrong with being concerned about that though. Maybe ask them what they want buy the food and give it to them? They probably aren't going to ask for filet minon.

[potluck6]

i remember this 19-20 year old kid asked me for change and he had on brand new nice looking shoes so i said no i didn't have any.If someone really looks bad and there are some that do i'll give a dollar to them.

[judith2263]

tgreen20  I want to help people that are in need ,but I don't want to give them money that they will buy alcohol or drugs with.  Does that make sense?   

[judith2263]

potluck6    Another side:  How do you know someone just didn't buy him some new shoes?   I have seen few homeless people ,so I guess I am a beginner dealing with them and just want to be scammed for money.

[snuggleycutejc]

I gave sandwiches out I don't have money.  I do my fushioncash for cat food money thanks for this site. 

[ktheodos]

I gave sandwiches out I don't have money.  I do my fushioncash for cat food money thanks for this site. 

That's an alternative option...buy food...there's no way to misuse that...

[ktheodos]

If you have to wonder what they are going to buy with the money you're going to give them, then you're NOT doing it from your heart.

 

Good point...

[ktheodos]

tgreen20  I want to help people that are in need ,but I don't want to give them money that they will buy alcohol or drugs with.  Does that make sense?   

True...you want to love and help without judging while being productive

[countrygirl12]

Most places have food pantries but the issue then is having access to resources to even find out when and where they are. Say that's squared away, then you have to find access to transportation to get there. There's really no such thing as free transportation unless you can find someone to give you a ride and not everyone has that. Then there's the issue of figuring out how to transport and carry the stuff, and if you're homeless, how to store it. If you've never been in this situation there's lots of factors that you don't think about. I'll usually just give and if they blow it, too bad. Nothing wrong with being concerned about that though. Maybe ask them what they want buy the food and give it to them? They probably aren't going to ask for filet minon.

They want CASH so they can buy drugs. 

[countrygirl12]

i remember this 19-20 year old kid asked me for change and he had on brand new nice looking shoes so i said no i didn't have any.If someone really looks bad and there are some that do i'll give a dollar to them.

lol.  There are people who have nice clothes, home, shoes, and also ratty looking stuff they put on to go out and beg for money.  Most of the people who are out begging for money have more money than I have.

[countrygirl12]

I gave sandwiches out I don't have money.  I do my fushioncash for cat food money thanks for this site. 

That's an alternative option...buy food...there's no way to misuse that...

I know a man that bought a couple of burgers and fries and drinks for 2 people begging for money.  He gave them the food.  They did thank him but didn't mean it.  He walked away and as he watched them from a distance he saw them throw the food away and go back to looking sad holding their signs.  They didn't want food.  They were not hungry.  They wanted cash.