Homeless, Jobless, or Just Plain Hungry

[betlynjua]

    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?

Just to take the guess work out, I never hand money to a homeless person.  There are many programs that offer legitimate, practical help. 

[debidoo]

Yea well you don't.  Our town has a church that used to serve one time a week - now they serve every evening.  But I just can't get into trying to figure it out so I leave it between the person panhandling and God.  I don't have much money and I could just say well I don't have much why should I give money to someone who might be buying booze or drugs or even cigarettes with my money.  But I feel like you should give somewhere so I just ask God to sort it out.

[vickysue]

we have lunch sacks from the Church that we hand out. It is not much but it will make a meal for them. Also in them we put a small bottle of hand cleaner and sometimes a toothbrush and sample paste. Most of those people really like it. But when I just throws it away you know they want the money for something else.

[braggin]

My son-in-law solves that problem quite nicely. When a homeless person asks him for money "for food" , he says "Come with me" and he takes the person to a fast food place and buys him or her a meal and then sits and watches him or her eat it before leaving.

[lguzman1]

I totally agree. How do you know? that a question that I would like to know too.

[lmrbean]

If you are able to give a homeless person food instead of money, I think that would be the best way to handle it.

[ancmetro]

    That is a good question!

[vp44]

At times I just give and other times I will just get them a sandwich.

[countrygirl12]

My son-in-law solves that problem quite nicely. When a homeless person asks him for money "for food" , he says "Come with me" and he takes the person to a fast food place and buys him or her a meal and then sits and watches him or her eat it before leaving.

You know, if I were homeless and starving I would not feel comfortable with someone saying oh I will buy you something to eat and then sitting there staring at me while I ate.

[JaniceSW]

I don't give money to such people often.  However, once in awhile I just roll the dice and take a chance.  I know I did it from the right heart and spirit and for me that's all that matters.  If you go to the casino or buy lottery tickets or scratch offs, it's all the same thing except in some cases you may be helping a living, breathing person who is hungry, cold, and without much hope.  There are some of those people out there too. If they use the money to feed an addiction, then maybe I stopped a robbery or home invasion.  Who knows?!?

[linderlizzie]

    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?

I think the point is to make sure YOUR heart is right when you give. God knows your heart.  The other person is then responsible for what he does with it.

[potluck6]

my son went to 7-11 and a man outside asked if he could buy him some food.So my son bought him a slice of pizza gave it to him and he threw it on the ground.my son just looked at him and didn't say anything,but how rude .

[ghunter]

You are not to judge, only God knows for sure, so give from your heart.

[almorin]

Regardless of the situation it is sad.  I can't say I have all the answers and true answers are hard to come by.  The answers to all of life's problems will not come overnight.  We can only do the best with what we have and to do those things to try to ensure that the future looks brighter for those that follow us.  Prayer never hurts but is not enough, we have to care enough to know our fellowman and their specific needs and circumstances.  The problem is that we don't know enough about our fellowmen to care.  Those that stand in need are too detached from those that are able and willing to provide assistance often we are separated by miles and miles, countries and borders.