Among Friends

[Puzzle Piece]

I just tell them all that I'm all tapped out.  I can list numerous charities that have asked - more than they care to hear and I can still go on and on.  Many just walk away from me!  I do give but I am selective with my charities - they must be reputable. 

[drizzellla]

We just came back from vacation and seeing my brother in the hospital. Boy, was that an eye opener. We went to dinner one night and had kids trying to sell candy bars. They were hanging around the entrance to the restaurant. At least the kids were offering something but it was 10PM at night. And the kids were at most 10-11 years old. And all the people begging on the street and numerous guys at intersections begging for money. 

Have not encountered that much activity since I worked in center city Philadelphia.

[Nataliesgramma]

Most of these people are using the money for drugs....we have a BIG heroin problem in this country...

[chrystaltree]

It's not illegal to panhandle or to give money to them where I live but it is regulated.  I don't even think there are official regulations.  I think that panhandlers are smart enough to understand that if they are rude or become a nuisance or make people feel uncomfortable or feel threatened; that would be very bad for them.  It's actually not even a huge problem.  In the downtown area of the city, you'll see someone standing on a corner with a cup or tray.  Sometimes they will politely ask for spare change or help getting food.  Sometimes they just stand there.  But I've never encountered an aggressive person and I've never had a conversation with one.  I generally put a couple of bucks in the cup because $2 or $3 means absolutely nothing to me and I'd rather give it to some professional panhandler than not give it to someone who generally is just trying to get enough together to buy a meal at McDonald's.  In my area, charities, churches and the city recognize the problem and there is assistance and there are shelters.  So, it seems it is not the big problem here that it appears to be in other parts of the country.   

[LTT1]

@Snowpuppy
This comment is not directed at you, but instead is in agreement with you.
So I want to add -- we already do go to work to donate to panhandlers in the form of paying for taxes and health care, etc.

[LTT1]

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@RedTop wrote:

I live in southern West Virginia and this is and has been, a major problem in this area for several years.   I have been approached numerous times with the exact same stories cited here, but NEVER give anyone money.  This is a small town, and I have had the same person approach me 3 different times with 3 different stories.   Trust me, she will remember my face from now on.  

Last year I was putting groceries in my car when a young girl stopped her car behind me and asked for gas money.   I told her no, and that she should be ashamed to ask people for money while wearing diamonds and sporting a designer handbag.   I got her plate number when she sped off and reported her to the police.  

My husband and I have been approached twice with an offer to pay for our groceries with their EBT card, if we give them cash in return.  

Two months ago I stopped at a local pharmacy to pick up a special card, and noticed a guy watching me when I paid for it.   He was standing outside with his back to me when I walked out, and my gut feeling was to hurry to my car.   As soon as I got in and shut the door, he was walking towards me.  I started the car and put it in reverse, locking my doors, as he had his hand on my side mirror and was motioning for me to roll the window down.   I shook my head no and started backing up.   As soon as I got home, I called the pharmacy and reported that incident.   Because these incidents happen so often, my husband does not like for me to go shopping alone.   

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@RedTop

Scary story from the standpoint that the person was this bold! What is up with this? 

[NYC Susan]

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@Chrystaltree2 wrote:

     OK, I've encountered panhandlers in the city but never anything like you describe.  Where the beck do you people live that you encounter that level of begging?

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I've never seen panhandlers other than in the city, but not even very many of those.  And I can't remember the last time I saw any at all.  

[TeezNu]

I live in a suburb of Dallas.  The mayor of this suburb has a Facebook page, and is very responsive to issues that people post about.  Last Christmas, the panhandlers were prolific around gas stations and grocery stores, often with toddlers in tow.

I posted about noticing this type of activity, as did many other people, and within a few days, the problem completely disappeared.  I also want to mention that our local police and government have a wonderful community outreach, so anyone who truly needs help can easily get it from our social services.

My point is, you might utilize social media to clean up the problem.

[SunValley]

They are homeless but somehow always have access to a sharpie.  I have been loudly, aggressively harrassed for money in San Francisco and Seattle. Thankfully in both instances strangers came to my aid and forced these men to go away. I see panhandlers all over our area too. For years a middle-aged couple has begged by trading places using their wheelchair--shameless. Outside the grocery store twin boys, no older than mid 20's, begged on the corner for months. They were always dressed nicely and appeared healthy. What keeps them from employment? I understand hardship, and I have purchased food for an elderly man who sits outside the grocery store on a bench. He never asks anyone for anything nor does he have a sign, but I cannot ignore his need. But those who use their children in their scams make me the angriest. One woman at the farmer's market is there every Saturday with her 18-month old. I gave her information on the family shelter only a few blocks away, and she could not get away from me fast enough.