Never again - Page 5

kelsey17 · ‎04-10-2012

@CalminHeart wrote:
@kelsey17 wrote:
I don't give to panhandlers.....never have....legitimate organizations are the only ones i dontate to......i don't believe any of the panhandlers....like one poster said ...they spend all day looking for handouts and walk away to a car nicer then myself............................a while back we had a couple panhandlers near our shopping center and i had seen them there a couple times..............when they took a "break" around the corner...i happened to see them .....and they were there on their cellphones and smoking cigarettes......both of which are costly habits that surprised me that people who claim to have no money to survive are in possession of.....Unfortunately....i often think the people who REALLY need the financial help are
the ones who don't apply or ask because of pride or just
not aware of what might be available to them.....

Why must the poor meet your expectations before they can quality as humans and be given a little dignity and respect?

Maybe their mom or sister gave them that cell phone and pays the bill so they can stay in touch.

In every city, you will find a location where people can go and hire the homeless for a day or a few hours. How do you know that homeless person didn't use that money for cigarettes?

Or maybe a friend helped them earn the little money they do receive.

Have you ever purchased anything you really shouldn't? What about a car, expensive shoes, or a piece of jewelry? Did you really need those....or were they wants? Could you have found a cheap one instead of paying so much for it? It's no different for the poor.

Calmin TheHeart

In answer to your questions...............................

The only expectations i have is that they are sincere in their claims of needing financial help.....and i have seen too many times it isn't the case... dignity or respect isn't part of the equation.....

Well....i guess when i saw the bunch of them around the corner EACH of them had a mom or sis who gifted them a cellphone to keep in touch........I am sure that is who they were talking to......................hhumm

If these homeless people worked somewhere for a few hours a day to afford cigarettes.....instead of the necessities in life and ask for people to contribute to their necessities when even they won't....that isn't acceptable....i quit smoking years back and one of the

reasons was i felt i couldn't afford it!!!

And YES i have purchased things that maybe i didn't really need.....but i purchased it with money i earned and

didn't ask others to "donate" to my unecessary luxury.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@software wrote:
I make modest donations to organizations that help people who are temporarily down & out or suffering due to extreme weather events, etc. And I also help with pet rescue as well. I say this to let you know my conscience is clear.

Beggers on the street, in the parking lot, hanging around doorways of stores get on my last nerve. However, from time to time, I will hand someone a few dollars. Quickly, I don't engage them. I might listen for about 30 seconds, if I feel safe, then just grab a quick couple of dollars and hand it to them. If they are lying to me or they plan to use the money for no good, it's on them. I know where my heart is.

My friends & family have always warned me against doing this. I almost lived my nightmare yesterday. Broad daylight, bunch of people around a guy (why is it always a guy) was asking everyone at the shopping center for gas money (always gas money). I listened to him for about a minute, the usual spiel and handed him $3.

I folded the money in half, stretched out my hand, the money was very visible and I was not in close contact with him otherwise. He went for the cash and grabbed my hand. I shot him a look that would peel paint and he let me go and turned away & went to his car.

Never again. It disturbed me more than I expected.

@software

He grabbed your hand to do what?

Was he trying to thank you? Or did you think he wanted to do you harm?

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

I spend hours every week volunteering with the homeless. I'm heartbroken at some of the comments here, elsewhere, and in politics sbout the poor. One can watch 1,000 videos, hear a million so-called stories, listen to people demonize the poor, and still not get the whole truth.

We should thank God for the blessing that we have homes, food, health insurance and then do something to help. As Pope Francis said, "You pray for the poor and then you feed them. That's how prayer works." There are many ways to help the poor so it doesn't have to be hand to hand if you're afraid. However, the way people look down on the homeless is absolutely heartbreaking to me.

software · ‎06-08-2016

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@software wrote:
I make modest donations to organizations that help people who are temporarily down & out or suffering due to extreme weather events, etc. And I also help with pet rescue as well. I say this to let you know my conscience is clear.

Beggers on the street, in the parking lot, hanging around doorways of stores get on my last nerve. However, from time to time, I will hand someone a few dollars. Quickly, I don't engage them. I might listen for about 30 seconds, if I feel safe, then just grab a quick couple of dollars and hand it to them. If they are lying to me or they plan to use the money for no good, it's on them. I know where my heart is.

My friends & family have always warned me against doing this. I almost lived my nightmare yesterday. Broad daylight, bunch of people around a guy (why is it always a guy) was asking everyone at the shopping center for gas money (always gas money). I listened to him for about a minute, the usual spiel and handed him $3.

I folded the money in half, stretched out my hand, the money was very visible and I was not in close contact with him otherwise. He went for the cash and grabbed my hand. I shot him a look that would peel paint and he let me go and turned away & went to his car.

Never again. It disturbed me more than I expected.

@software

He grabbed your hand to do what?

Was he trying to thank you? Or did you think he wanted to do you harm?

I don't know. Instead of just taking the money, he "held" my f i s t for a brief few seconds. Not a grip, not tight, just held it. I didn't get the "thank you" vibe. He was thanking me with his words. I was not expecting it. Under no circumstances would I want physical contact from a stranger. Obviously he meant no harm, because I'm here now, writing about it. At the time......?

Starliteshine · ‎10-12-2014

A few weeks ago our local news station featured a story about a homeless man asking for money at a busy intersection. Since many of the employees of a nearby car dealership gave money to this man every day, dealership management offered him a job. The story was featured on the news because the dealership posted a huge sign stating "If you are considering donating money to the person standing on the corner of XYZ Street and XYZ Street, we offered him a job at our dealership with starting pay of $10 an hour. He turned down the job offer and said 'I make more than $10 an hour and don't have to work all day.'" As a rule, I generally give a few bucks to those who I pass while walking on the sidewalk. I never give to those who approach my car at street corners. I never open my purse or wallet. I keep quarters and a few $1.00 bills in my pocket so I am ready. If they use the money to buy drugs or alcohol, it's on them. I gave with a good heart. Something to think about- you never know who that person might be. It might an angel and a test from above.

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

When meth becomes rampant, and there are meth-heads every where you go, and it infests your community, then the bleeding hearts will feel differently.

And if they cared oh so much for the homeless, and don't care that they are enabling their drug use, then why don't these bleeding hearts invite the homeless person home with them to live, shower, take them clothes shopping?

You never know, it might be an angel in disguise, and it might be a test from above.

dex · ‎03-09-2010

I have stopped giving to people with signs on roadsides.There are so many shelters and organizations in my area that help the homeless that I feel that I am just supplying addiction money.I will donate to the shelter but not to the person on the street corner.I especially am upset by the people who bring their children along to witness this sad behavior.