Do you give money to panhandlers?

[metsrock69]

No I don't because I don't think begging for money is right for anyone to do. I even had a veteran at the veterans hospital in a wheel chair ask me for money and I did not have any on me at the time but it was strange that it happened there

[countrygirl12]

More and more of them are popping up. I see plenty of store jobs. I wonder if they get more money standing on the street and a person making $8.00 an hour?

No I do not give them money. There is a young man that sites on the street corner at a gas station at a red light, locally, and he sits IN the street with his feet in the road. I am waiting on someone to run over his legs. There are jobs but like you said most are around min wage. I am sure they probably make more than $8 an hour.  You would be surprised at how much cash people will hand these dead beats. Plus they are drawing a government check so they don't want the $8 an hour job. This is just extra cash to buy drugs, beer, and cokes.

They make me so mad I can't stand it.  They actually fight over the one corner in my area. The best one probably to stand at.  I think they need to put them in jail. But all the jails are over crowded.

[countrygirl12]

I have given money to panhandlers, but not so much anymore. Some panhandlers actually do as much as some people in store jobs. It sounds crazy, but some people would rather stand on a corner begging than get an actual job.

Why is that crazy? It is tax free money and you don't have to work. You stand there and hold a sign. And with no income to show they can get food stamps and welfare so it's just more money. These people are trash.

[countrygirl12]

I don't give money to panhandlers even though I've wanted to. I've seen plenty of stories of people using it to get cigarettes or alcohol. I feel it's more useful to give them stuff or food so they can't waste it on drugs, alcohol or cigarettes.

There is a beggar in my town who has a really nice car and a nice house. He has 2 signs he holds. And he does well with his begging. A person who did not know him went in to the gas station (he says he is hungry and a veteran on one of his signs) and bought him a hot dog, a bag of chips, and a drink. The man brings it out and gives it to the beggar.  The beggar throws the food on the ground, HITS the man who bought it for him, and told him he wanted money!  The beggar was arrested for aggressive panhandling. But he was out of jail before nightfall.  I swear somebody punches me in the face I will defend myself in a way that will require more than a couple hours in jail!

[countrygirl12]

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.   

Thing is most of them have more money than the ones giving it to them. I know they have more money than I do. They all get government assistance. Use your money wisely. I am not giving them anything!

[bretay]

not in my town...all of ours are drug users...people have offered them work or food..but they want money...most of them have nice trucks or cars nearby...some have even told people that they dont want food or work..they want drugs...

[JaniceSW]

I have occasionally given them money but it is rare.  Occasionally I see somebody that has a sign and a "look" that makes my heart go out to them.  Once in a while I hear a voice in my head saying, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."  However, it happens maybe once per year and with what little money I have I usually donate to a charity such as cancer or Alzheimer's research or maybe the Red Cross, etc.

[shasha2210]

is dangerous giving money

[Nancy5]

I did until a few years ago.  My husband owns his own construction company.  We were driving and this young (about 30 years) pretty big man, about 6 feet, nice build, was begging.  We stopped and my husband gave him $10 and offered him a job!  Told him one of his employees would pick him up the next day to start work.  The guy said thanks but not interested in that kind of work!  Sorry, but if I were living on the streets and begging for money I would take any job.  That was the last time we gave money to beggars,  we would rather give to charities.

[autumnsparklemom]

No, never have.

[dogsleash]

Occasionally. I will give change

[ghunter]

Sometimes I do, try not to judge but if they look healthly enough to work, I won't, but it depends.

[gaby_ro_2004]

No,never and i will never will.

[mrsmere]

No, I volunteer at a soup kitchen for the homeless.  A guy was begging at McDonalds and I offered to buy him anything he wanted from the menu.  He told me he wanted chicken from KFC.  Why come you not over there begging.  He only wanted the money.  I got my pie and fries and kept moving.

[santa7]

I still do even though I've told my daughter many times that we have to stop.  We barely get by ourselves.