Community Chat

[Trailrun23]

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.

[Tinkrbl44]

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@PhilaLady1 wrote:

Maybe better to call 911 than to approach personally.

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@PhilaLady1 

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

[Tinkrbl44]

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@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.

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@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.  

[PhilaLady1]

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

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@PhilaLady1 wrote:

Maybe better to call 911 than to approach personally.

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@PhilaLady1 

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

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@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.

[TwinkleBell]

@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!)

[Tinkrbl44]

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@PhilaLady1 wrote:

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

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@PhilaLady1 wrote:

Maybe better to call 911 than to approach personally.

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@PhilaLady1 

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

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@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.

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@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.  

[Trailrun23]

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. 

[Tinkrbl44]

@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?

[drizzellla]

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.

[PhilaLady1]

@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.