Do you give money to panhandlers?

[michele2042]

I did a long time ago.   But now if I see someone who really seems to need the help, and if I have the time, I will go get them something to eat and bring it to them.  I also keep baggies in my car filled with various necessities, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant and other small necessities.  winter time I will put a pair of gloves, hats, etc.  It's easy to go to the dollar store and pick up some items and not spend a lot of money.   

[brian8713]

Never. If I really thought someone was in need, I'd take them out for a hot meal.

[thoughtparticles]

What blows my mind is the situation I see far too often with beggars/panhandler types in my area. They're barely able to stand on the street corner because they're so drunk (usually with a large beer can in a bag in hand or sitting on the sidewalk beside them) or stoned out of their mind and people are handing them money like crazy! They count up their take, go across the street and buy another beer... I've sat and watched this too many times to feel the need to support their destructive lifestyle.

I HAVE given meals to homeless that seemed genuinely down-and-out, but not the ones I see day after day stoned/drunk out of their minds begging on street corners.

[rghvac69]

No, but I give to charities which help the homeless.

[snuggleycutejc]

yes but if they don't have work-clothes you wont get the job if you have attitude you wont get the job if you are weather beaten you wont get the job and food stamps are $189.00 a month, you have a gr8 day and everyday here is a  hopefully everyone in the USA will survive this terror attack, but ic some of ours did not!

[adriarobi]

Never.

I may give to a charity, but never the the individual.

 

[ancmetro]

     Never give them cash! Five them bus passes, a gift card to McDonalds, a gift card to Target stores...
not Walmart-so they do not buy drugs (alcohol and cigarettes). Yes, help them...to do better, not worse!

[dwiley11]

most have drug habits that make them un-hireable

[yikes77]

I normally do not.

[hawkeye3210]

I never do.

[tantricia44]

Sometimes I do & sometimes I don’t! It depends on what I observe & what they say. Example a guy came up to me at the gas station asked for money yet his car looked brand new come to mine! Someone asked me to buy him some food reason he ran out of money after getting a hotel room for his girlfriend! Some one asking me for money yet they’re wearing an outfit as expensive as clothing coming from the pages of vogue!

[sbenkoski]

I'd rather hand someone a lunch from subway or something like that . Not cash, people playing music i would toss change in a pail maybe.

[bshee58]

No I don't personally

[ccandpam]

I give to them sometimes. It just depends on the situation and if they are to be believed or not.

[Tresbn00]

Thumbs up to Linderlizzie! Who are we to stand in judgement of others? I also give a percentage of my income (higher percentage than the country average) to charity. I volunteer at several venues throughout the year and my day time job donates five hundred dollars to a charity if I donate fifty or more hours. If I have cash in my pocket or in the car I will certainly give some to a panhandler.In today's world of plastic I rarely have cash in my pocket.  I prefer to give food, water or a soda (have a few protein bars in my glove compartment) and usually carry dog food samples in my car in case the person has a pet.I have read articles about pan handlers that make forty to fifty thousand a year in Colorado. Like Linderlizzie indicated by giving we do our part to help someone that may potentially be in need. What they do with it is between them and a higher poer.