topic Re: Saw a Senior with a sign in Community Chat

Saw a Senior with a sign

qvcaddition — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 21:08:22 GMT

How sad. An elderly lady had a sign sitting there. The sign said, senior struggling, please help. Never thought in my 86 years, I would see something like this. If I didn,t have my son's giving me help with food and gas, I shudder to think. I know there are others younger in the same situation, but for an old person. I gave her a couple of dollars,all I could spare. I looked for her today with some food, but couldn,t find her.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

SouthernBee — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 21:11:53 GMT

@qvcaddition wrote:
How sad. An elderly lady had a sign sitting there. The sign said, senior struggling, please help. Never thought in my 86 years, I would see something like this. If I didn,t have my son's giving me help with food and gas, I shudder to think. I know there are others younger in the same situation, but for an old person. I gave her a couple of dollars,all I could spare. I looked for her today with some food, but couldn,t find her.

@qvcaddition : So sad. You tried your best to help.🤗♥️🙏🙏🙏

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

maximillian — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 21:20:30 GMT

Be careful of getting duped. There are many, many reliable, legitimate organizations to help people in dire straits. Some are government funded, some are the result of very good work by community people. Some are run by churches, some by clubs, some by nationally well-known organizations. There is help available for the needy. Just like with the annoying "cold calls" and scammers, individuals (and organized crime groups) will do what they can to make you feel sorry for a certain group of citizens. Please be careful with your donations. Most of us are struggling financially these days. Don't give your money away without knowing the situation is legitimate and even then get the person to go to appropriate, caring, well-run organizations.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

Love my grandkids — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 21:32:20 GMT

In years past I have given cash to people who seemed in need. I figure if it's a scam then so be it. I'd rather err on the side of good. They were situations that I found heartbreaking and just could not ignore. I'm still not sorry.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

SouthernBee — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 21:33:21 GMT

@maximillian wrote:
Be careful of getting duped. There are many, many reliable, legitimate organizations to help people in dire straits. Some are government funded, some are the result of very good work by community people. Some are run by churches, some by clubs, some by nationally well-known organizations. There is help available for the needy. Just like with the annoying "cold calls" and scammers, individuals (and organized crime groups) will do what they can to make you feel sorry for a certain group of citizens. Please be careful with your donations. Most of us are struggling financially these days. Don't give your money away without knowing the situation is legitimate and even then get the person to go to appropriate, caring, well-run organizations.

@maximillian : Sad but true and we do need to be careful.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

SouthernBee — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 21:48:09 GMT

@Love my grandkids wrote:
In years past I have given cash to people who seemed in need. I figure if it's a scam then so be it. I'd rather err on the side of good. They were situations that I found heartbreaking and just could not ignore. I'm still not sorry.

@Love my grandkids : This is what we do but still get a lot of criticism for it. Especially for DH having a difficult childhood and going to bed hungry. My family was very poor but we never went to bed without food.

It is a risk helping someone but we like you rather err on the side of good.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

Sooner — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 21:43:28 GMT

The crooks and scam artists steal from those in need. It makes me very mad.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

qvcaddition — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 21:49:23 GMT

I was going to tell her about the food bank in town and a few other organizations. Also how to get medical help. Maybe someone notified an organization for her or maybe it was a dupe, but I couldn,t pass her by.

I will take a trip once a day for another w eek. It,s only a mile from my home. I will keep the bag of food in my car and if not her for someone else. It will not spoil.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

Gorgf — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 21:50:36 GMT

I have seen older people in Europe begging and figured they probably have more money do I but dress the part for tourists. I did see some teen boys give part of their big pastry to an old woman which she took by a skating rink in Vienna at Christmas markets and told the boys it was a nice gesture.

The old women in Ukraine on tbe news make me cry who are in their 80s I know they are hurting. I just sent money today through my church international relief food, clothing, hygiene supplies helping refugees in Budapest through a church there.

We also had an area drive for Afghanistan refugees. Cloth diapers infant clothes and hygiene items. A lot going on here with credible

organizations and places of worship and always a local food shelf in need. We have a paper and cleaning product collection month. A lot of Seniors are helped there also.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

PhilaLady1 — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 21:54:11 GMT

Maybe better to call 911 than to approach personally.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

Trailrun23 — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 21:55:17 GMT

There are many suffering right now due to many factors beyond their control....and the elderly are the ones who have my heart the most. There are also many panhandlers and scam artists who are spending over 40 hrs a week stealing money from others with fake so stories and other fake dire circumstances to prey on well- meaning folks. They have become a real problem in our area and it is hard to go to the grocery store without being harassed and approached for money in the parking lot.. They are hustlers and the police have said over and over again to never give them money..this is a job to them and that is why they never go away. There are some who pull twenties out of their pockets and give them to these lowlifes....they just make it worse for the rest of us.
It is best to buy them a meal or give them the phone number of the closest shelter,church, or charity that can give them the support they need. I offered a meal to a woman and she cursed at me like a sailor when I didn't give her cash. She said her grandbaby had a fever and she needed gas to take him to the hospital. I offered to take her and the baby to the hospital er immediately.....she had no grandbaby. She works our area regularly...last time it was her baby nephew.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 22:06:16 GMT

@PhilaLady1 wrote:
Maybe better to call 911 than to approach personally.

@PhilaLady1

Call 911 for what, exactly? Someone was asking for help? Really?

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 22:10:10 GMT

@maximillian wrote:
Be careful of getting duped. There are many, many reliable, legitimate organizations to help people in dire straits. Some are government funded, some are the result of very good work by community people. Some are run by churches, some by clubs, some by nationally well-known organizations. There is help available for the needy. Just like with the annoying "cold calls" and scammers, individuals (and organized crime groups) will do what they can to make you feel sorry for a certain group of citizens. Please be careful with your donations. Most of us are struggling financially these days. Don't give your money away without knowing the situation is legitimate and even then get the person to go to appropriate, caring, well-run organizations.

@maximillian

I don't disagree with your comments, but keep in mind that everyone who would legitimately qualify for help isn't aware of these organizations, have a smart phone and is internet savvy.

So easy to say "there are organizations that help" but it doesn't mean anything if the persons in need have no idea these places exist ... or how to access them.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

PhilaLady1 — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 22:12:35 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@PhilaLady1 wrote:
Maybe better to call 911 than to approach personally.

@PhilaLady1

Call 911 for what, exactly? Someone was asking for help? Really?

@Tinkrbl44

I guess it depends on where you live. Probably my city-smarts thinking. In large metropolitan areas, it is never wise to approach personally. Calling 911 would send in a cop to try to help the person in need of food, shelter, medical or mental health assistance, whatever the case may be.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

TwinkleBell — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 22:32:34 GMT

@qvcaddition Great topic, thank you!!

I often talk with such presented "persons in need," & try to find out their specific need(s), like, is it.. food/meals, blanket, clothes, supplies ..Then I try to buy that for them.

Sometimes, it is indeed money they need, say for rent, electricity, or whatever, & after I try to "qualify them," I try to help them out with this.

Only my G knows their true situation, & I believe I know to Whom they'll have to answer, ultimately, To a given extent, it's beyond my own earthly knowledge, or understanding, but I dont want to miss a true opportunity to share my blessings. I find it kewl!.

Beyond my attempt to "qualify" them.. & if I'm currently living within, or feeling awash with blessings, I dont mind a qualified sharing & giving..

.. Donating is one of the things I love to do with my own blessings ... after all, it's not always been a "hunky-dory" way for me either, & I've been helped, somehow...

I try to remember: "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." H 13:2

(ADDED:

If they need something specifically, I DO NOT GIVE THEM A RIDE IN MY CAR!!!

I go retrieve/go buy the item, & come back & bring the item to them!)

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 22:23:16 GMT

@PhilaLady1 wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@PhilaLady1 wrote:
Maybe better to call 911 than to approach personally.

@PhilaLady1

Call 911 for what, exactly? Someone was asking for help? Really?
@Tinkrbl44

I guess it depends on where you live. Probably my city-smarts thinking. In large metropolitan areas, it is never wise to approach personally. Calling 911 would send in a cop to try to help the person in need of food, shelter, medical or mental health assistance, whatever the case may be.

@PhilaLady1

Oh, gee .... your city smarts thinking? Well, okay. When you call 911 for frivolous matters, do they hang up on you?

I've lived in Los Angeles for more than 3 decades and think I have good intuition and common sense. Unless someone seemed to be in serious distress or danger, I probably wouldn't call 911 to report a person was sitting on a bench, asking for help.

My city smarts thinking is that calling 911 or the police should be for urgent matters. But that's JMO.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

Trailrun23 — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 22:23:51 GMT

There are many nonprofits that help pay for utilities, especially when the weather is extremely hot or cold so power is not turned off. There is a good chance there may be one if your area.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 22:26:54 GMT

@TwinkleBell

Good points. I know some people assume anyone needing help need food, most of all. That might be true in many cases ... but not always.

What many people don't know is the number one item asked for in homeless shelters is a clean pair of socks. Can you imagine what it's like to be desperate for a clean pair of socks ... or underwear?

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

drizzellla — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 22:28:44 GMT

Our Church has a food bank and a Little Free Pantry. Both of them are heavily used. In fact the Little Free Pantry seems to be cleared out daily. There are posts that is is empty many days.

They are having a hard time keeping up with the demand. The church has been running the food bank for many years. The Little Free pantry is about a year old. It was very well run but recently they are having a hard time trying to keep up with the demand. And it is becoming a part time job for the volunteers.

Re: Saw a Senior with a sign

PhilaLady1 — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 22:28:54 GMT

@Tinkrbl44

I did not think my post would cause yet another disagreement on these boards. I apologize if I was misunderstood. Peace, my friend. Please lets agree to disagree.