topic Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for in Community Chat

what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

KathyPet — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 20:23:37 GMT

For me it is homeless people standing on the side of the road with their signs who have a pet with them. Usually a dog although I have seen a few cats. I cannot not give them a donation. I always say the money is for food for their pet. Who knows what they do with it but I cannot not donate.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

Wheatchick1 — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 20:39:44 GMT

You got me on this one - I am the same exact way!

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

Perkup — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 20:45:21 GMT

I guess I've become a skeptic about these things. I have a hard time believing their "story". In our area it's so common it seems like an excuse not to work and live off other people. I've seen one of them get into a rather expensive car late in the afternoon. Dubious about their authenticity. I don't donate. If I did, it would be in the form of a hamburger or ???

I'm also getting very skeptical of all the "charities" that call each week to support the police, sheriff's office, firemen, etc. There can't possiblly be that many charities for each one. Overkill IMHO.

I continue to support those charities that pay smaller salaries to their CEO's, etc. DH checked them out several years ago. You'd be amazed at how much goes for the execs and maintaining fancy offices.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

Meowingkitty — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 20:46:16 GMT

I used to have a bag of dog food and a toy or two in my truck in case I saw someone needing food for their pet. I’ve used it a couple of times.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

BeccaLou — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 20:55:01 GMT

Kathy Pet, I have one for the books, years ago my husband traveled with his job, and one of the fella's saw a man with a sign peddling for money, welll he didn't want thefella to go buy booze, so he purchased a meal from McDonald for him, the man looked right at the purchaser and boldly said If it's a hamburger or fish I am tired of eating either one.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

GCR18 — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 20:57:05 GMT

I get suckered into bins at work that collect clothing or food for the shelters. Along with the boy scouts and USPS food drives. I do feel bad for the panhandlers at the exits by the mall, but the paper setup a sting and reported what they saw. They also said not to give them cash, give it to the food bank instead.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

K9buddy — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 21:32:12 GMT

I also don't give money. I either stop at a McDonalds and buy a couple of burgers if the person is alone and dog treats if theres a dog.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

Azcowgirl — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 21:39:52 GMT

Last week on my trip to the post office, I saw a lady hand a bag of food from Burger King, to a “ homeless guy” ...after she walked away, he tossed the bag onto the ground ):

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

OfCourse — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 21:45:24 GMT

I don't give to people in the street with signs. I size them up and find them to be too clean and well dressed to be homeless. Further, they can get help from government offices and private charities. I'd imagine they could even go to the police station and get advice on where to go. The ones I see seem to be scam artists. If you compare them to the homeless in cities, you'll notice the difference and realize they are not living on the streets. You're better off giving to food banks, charities, or homeless shelters than directly to people.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

willdob3 — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 21:51:50 GMT

@KathyPet

I’m not a sucker.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

Scooby Doo — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 21:53:05 GMT

I donate for the homeless and displaced also, but a different way.

I make and donate crib size quilts to the humanitarian center of the church.

They send quilts around the world to areas that have been hit hard by natural disasters, or to the homeless.

There are lots of good programs around here that take care of the homeless. Two brand new shelters, and they can get a good meal at a couple of places. We have Veteran's outeach programs that provide warm clothing and sleeping bags. These groups know where the homeless camp out, and they drive around and check on these guys and make sure they are ok. They live outside by choice.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

chrystaltree — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 22:05:07 GMT

That sounds like a scene from the Great Depression. I always give $5 to the homeless. I'd rather give money to someone who truly needs some money to buy a meal or bottle of water than assume that they all use the cash for drugs or booze. I'm sure some to but $5 or $6 means nothing to me and it could mean the world to someone in need. This time of year, I'm sucker for charities that provide toys to children in need. I've donated toys to 6 charities so far.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

panda1234 — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 00:00:28 GMT

@Perkup wrote:
I guess I've become a skeptic about these things. I have a hard time believing their "story". In our area it's so common it seems like an excuse not to work and live off other people. I've seen one of them get into a rather expensive car late in the afternoon. Dubious about their authenticity. I don't donate. If I did, it would be in the form of a hamburger or ???

I'm also getting very skeptical of all the "charities" that call each week to support the police, sheriff's office, firemen, etc. There can't possiblly be that many charities for each one. Overkill IMHO.

I continue to support those charities that pay smaller salaries to their CEO's, etc. DH checked them out several years ago. You'd be amazed at how much goes for the execs and maintaining fancy offices.

@Perkup I would rather give directly to I person or family I know and there are plenty struggling. That way none of the money goes to a CEO.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

panda1234 — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 00:08:04 GMT

@KathyPet@The panhandlers in my area are a well organized business. They work shifts, get picked up and dropped off. They pool their money together, live together and have cell phones. A friend offered one a job and he replied that he could not pay him what he makes on the street.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

BeccaLou — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 04:18:09 GMT

Wheatchick1, This might be a stretch in a thought pattern of mine, could these people belong to a theature guild and have to pass a test to do this so that they can prove convincing to acting school? I think that every time I seem them.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

BirdieGal — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 10:56:24 GMT

@BeccaLou

That is INDEED a stretch. In this day and age no teacher would send students to do that.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

BLH — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 15:16:20 GMT

It was just on our local news where a man and woman go from store to store and stand out front asking for money. They had video of them parking their SUV far away from the store and then going to stand in front of Walmarl. Also they showed men in front of Walmart holding signs to help homeless veterans and they weren't homeless or veterans.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

Fiero Woman — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:06:58 GMT

I am a sucker for animals.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

janz — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 02:29:30 GMT

I never give money as they go to the closest place for alcohol or cigarettes but I have given food after "sizing up" the situation. Once I gave subway to a woman standing in a parking lot in the rain. She thanked me and sat down on the curb and ate it immediately. Same with a young man who I bought a bag of Del Taco. Once I bought subway for a man outside a Wal Mart and he said, "thanks, I can now go home and eat." Later, the greeter at Wal Mart said the guy makes his living panhandling and makes "good" money. Once I offered food to a man outside a convenience store and he said he didn't like it so didn't want it. The worst was a woman on the side of freeway entrance. My son rolled down the window and said "Nice leather" as she had a new black leather jacket at her feet. Next day she didn't have the jacket with her.

Many make their living doing this and make a "good" living, drive nice cars and live in nice homes. They are clean, have clean clothes and clean hair and found their "spot" where you will see them "working" their corner to con money out of generous people. Never give money... look carefully and then give food. Same with pet food...it's another way to get people to give them money as it having their kids with them for sympathy.

Social Services has emergency food, hotel vouchers, as does Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, and other charitable places.

Re: what is the one thing you are a absolute sucker for

sidsmom — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 03:26:34 GMT

I’m like most who have posted before me.

I refuse to be an enabler by giving them money.

Just watch one episode of ‘Intervention’.

That’s an eye-opener.

Lots & lots of money to buy lots & lots of drugs.