topic Re: Panhandler in Among Friends

Panhandler

LdyBugz — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 20:40:39 GMT

I went to Kohl's this morning to exchange some shirts that I bought for my granddaughter for Christmas. Geez she now needs a women's medium, mostly for the length. She's taller than me now!

Anywho, the store is in a little shopping plaza. There's a traffic light for entering and leaving the plaza. On one corner is a gas station where I always see an elderly gentleman that looks to be in his late seventies. He uses a walker where he attached a "Homeless - need spare change" sign and a plastic bag that looks to be holding his few belongings. He's been on that corner for a few years now, anytime of year, in blazing heat to bitter cold.

As I waited for the light to turn green, I really looked at his weathered face. I could be wrong, but he just doesn't appear to be a drug addict or alcoholic. I've never given him money before, but today he got to me. I quickly grabbed my wallet, reached to hand him a ten dollar bill and wished him Happy New Year. He struggled to get his walker over the curb, and then looked me in the eye to say thank you as he accepted the offering.

This post is not intended for getting hearts, kudos or reprimands. I just hope that anyone that reads this remembers to count their blessings as this gentleman today reminded me to do.

Wishing all of you a healthy and Happy New Year!

~LdyBugz

Re: Panhandler

godi — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 20:44:17 GMT

I love what you wrote here. Sometimes our heart guides us and yes we must count our blessings everyday. Happy New Year @LdyBugz

Re: Panhandler

LizzieInSRQ — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 20:56:48 GMT

Well, I am jaded and will never give cash to panhandlers anymore. There have been times where some have been followed after a day's "work" and they have gotten into nice cars and driven to a nice home. They earn more money an hour, tax free,than I'll ever make an hour.

Someone doing this for years, as you said in your post, is most likely not homeless... for years mind you. People don't last very long being homeless, truly, for years. Just my opinion.

How can I be so heartless? Because in most communities there are services and churches etc. that are available to help. People who are homeless, usually choose it rather than have to follow the rules that the help require. I know this to be true as I have personally known two who abided the rules to get help and they got a lot of help.

Re: Panhandler

San Antonio Gal — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 20:58:57 GMT

@LdyBugz - I've done the same thing. I always feel bad for them.

Re: Panhandler

drizzellla — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 20:59:50 GMT

@LdyBugz Thank you

I would have done the same thing. My Mom did the same thing whenever we went out shopping as a kid. She always gave money or food to people she saw needed it.

I figure the money I give them is more needed by them than by me. And I hate the idea of anyone being hungry. That is why I am so pleased a bunch of neighbors got together and started a Go Fund Me for a homeless guy in the area. They got quite a response both in money and needed supplies. And apparently Salvation Army is working to get him housing.

Thanks for helping the old man.

Re: Panhandler

GenXmuse — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 21:00:46 GMT

Thank you for listening to your heart and may your generosity bless you.

Re: Panhandler

SilleeMee — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 21:02:05 GMT

I strive to always count my blessings and I pray for those who are not fortunate to have any to count.

Re: Panhandler

4kitties — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 21:02:50 GMT

Where I live, the professional panhandlers are delivered to certain intersections in a white van. They hold signs asking for money all day until they are picked up in the evening by the white van.

I have no idea where the money that is given to them goes. I just make sure my windows are up and my doors locked when I travel to this city. I never donate to them.

Re: Panhandler

meallen616 — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 21:03:14 GMT

@LdyBugz,

Thank you for what you did,

Re: Panhandler

KingstonsMom — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 21:17:53 GMT

Once I felt sad for a 'homeless veteran' panhandling on the exit ramp with a sign wanting 'food'.

Instead of giving him cash, because I didn't want to contribute to any kind of 'habit, I went to a Subway right by the exit and bought him a footlong with the most meat, chicken & add ons, thinking he could pick off anything that he didn't want.

I circled around and went off that exit again and gave it to him.

I looked in my rear view mirror as I was leaving, just in time to see him toss it into the bushes nearby, while I was hoping/expecting to see a smile on his face.....

Re: Panhandler

BoopOMatic — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 21:20:30 GMT

I count my blessings every day - don't need an encounter with a panhandler to do so.

Re: Panhandler

KathyM23 — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 21:26:38 GMT

Sometimes I give and sometimes I don't. I just let my heart guide me. That sounds strange but it works for me. I never give to a young person as there are many jobs going unfilled in our town so I figure they can't pass the drug tests.

Just recently I gave to a older man who had the sweetest dog with him. I also stopped to pet the dog and talk to the man. Later than night the more thought about it, I felt bad that I didn't give him enough money as I only gave him a few dollars. The next day I went looking for him and couldn't find him. I told DH about it and where I saw the man and told him if he sees him to give him a ten for me. DH did see him a few days later and gave him my ten.

Sometime I probably make a mistake about who I give to and how they are using the money (not for food) and I think well whatever it takes to help them get thru the night and don't feel I wasted the gift.

In the parking lot of a restaurant we used to frequent on Sundays a woman came up to us and said her car ran out of gas down the road and could we help her with gas money. We did not and watched her walk away to a car parked in another area of the parking lot and was picked up. That one was a scam for sure.

Re: Panhandler

Citrine1 — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 21:34:49 GMT

More often than not, I give money to panhandlers. It does my heart good.

Re: Panhandler

PickyPicky3 — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 21:38:51 GMT

In my area there is only one panhandler "on duty" at each major traffic light intersection at a time. I learned from a homeless volunteer it is because they have monthly scheduling meetings.

Re: Panhandler

kaydee50 — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 21:43:49 GMT

While I applaud the OP's generosity--it is Christmas after all!!!--I would never give a "street person" $10. Here in Chicago we have Chicago Shares, vouchers that people can use at a supermarket or at a Subway sandwich store. They come in booklets of $5. That is the most I would give to someone in the streets and never in cash.

Re: Panhandler

patbz — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 21:53:08 GMT

Count me among the jaded! When I was eighteen and had a summer job in downtown D.C. I used to daily walk by an old man who had no legs ( he was on a wooden platform on skate wheels). One afternoon I walked by him just as he was wheeling his platform to a waiting Cadillac!

Re: Panhandler

Mombo1 — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 22:06:39 GMT

I agree... you never know if someone is scamming you....but I give when I can if it feels right. I also like to "pay it forward". When going thru a drive thru lately...the lady in front of me paid my bill. It was very thoughtful. So...when I was going into Walmart later in the day..... the same man had been there for weeks collecting donations for Salvation Army. I always felt sorry for him because he sat there day after day in the cold wind, rain, and weather. I decided to ask him if I could get him lunch and he was very happy to have hot chocolate with his meal. It felt good to pay it forward.

Re: Panhandler

Tina4760 — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 22:11:12 GMT

I am so glad you followwEd your heart. Sometimes I give and sometimes not depending on what my heart tells me at the time. I always hope that they use the money for something good and not drugs or alcohol but I figure once I give it to them it is theirs to do what they want with. I hate the thought of anyone being hungry or cold but I know from volunteering that even if you give them food or gift cards then if they want drugs they just sell what you gave them for money. I give because my heart tells me to and pray I have helped in some small way. I don't have much but more often than not I have more than them . The shelters are full and many jobs don't pay enough for housing. It's not my place to judge when I don't know their situation. Again thank you for following your heart

Re: Panhandler

KingstonsMom — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 22:33:49 GMT

@Mombo1

I love to pay it forward! We have a big military presence in my area and I love to buy them lunch, when I'm out having lunch!

I just tell their waitress that I'm picking up their tab, don't point me out, but just tell them 'another customer' said, 'Thank you for what you do'!

The look of appreciation on their faces is priceless, as they look around the restaurant!

I like to do the same for firemen and first responders, what would we do without them?

Re: Panhandler

mspatmac — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 22:55:06 GMT

Sometimes it just feels right and I give, especially to the elderly. I also have paid it forward in a drive through and help those in the grocery store who may be short on funds for necessities in the check out line.

I may have been taken advantage of but I choose to believe I helped.