Quote:
Originally Posted by Por_sha911
I volunteered at a youth center for 10 years that reached street kids and drug addicts. As they befriended me, they would tell me how they could panhandle. One guy taught me the finer points of how to "fly a sign" and make $100 a day (this was 15 years ago). I never give money to the folks with a sign at the intersection or entrance to the store parking lot.
That said, I am happy to help those in need.
Need gas? I'll pay for the gas with the clerk (but first ask the clerk if that same person is a "regular panhandler".
Need food? I'll buy canned vegetables, fresh fruit, cereal, milk, eggs but don't give them the receipt (they try to return stuff to get the money to buy non-WIC items).
I had a guy tell me he was short $8 to get his medicine. I offered to drive him to the drug store and pay the amount needed to get the meds. He said he had to go somewhere else first to pick up the rest of the money. I told him I'll drive him there first. He said 'never mind'.
Then there are the folks with signs "Unemployed. Need help..." when every business in town is putting up signs HELP WANTED.
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NEVER, EVER, EVER give money to a panhandler. They don't need it. Give $$ if you want to a food bank, a church, or community organization. You don't know how to help the poor, trust me.
I deal with panhandlers, vagrants, hobos, bums, scavengers, street people, etc etc every day. A few of my employees were homeless in a shelter for a while. I know very well how they operate, how they think, and how they live. I also give away more $$ to charity than most people do, which is to say, constantly.