Should we give money to the beggar or food?
By pjguapo
@pjguapo (10)
July 4, 2007 11:49pm CST
all of us, some time or other, have ask our selves this questions. should i give this beggar a coin or a food? different ways for different reason. im am sure non of us want the beggar hang around for far to long and would like him/her to be dismissed as quikly as possible. for that some people with the sole purpose of getting rid of the problems either quickly dig into their purse and hang over the coin, or just put up a stony in indifference. there are others who are sympathetic feel they cant be helpless, put in whatever little they can, and hang over a coin to the beggar. they also think this is one small out the needy.
4 people like this
18 responses
@davido (1623)
• Canada
5 Jul 07
Well if they are trully poor! how do you know that. I know a beggar who has been in the trade for close to twenty yrs and the rumour about him is that he has houses and more that two wifes and has a car which he give to someone to operate cab business with. do you call that one a beggar.
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
5 Jul 07
You sure?
If you have houses and two wives and has a car. Would you rather sit there look innocent and poor? I don't think so.
Maybe the right word is, they've seen that it's easier for them to ask for money, that they've lost interest of working for that money instead.
But a beggar with houses, two wives and a car? I don't think so. Why doesn't he drive the cab himself right? I think that would give him more earning than just begging. Plus where did he beg? At the rich village? =)
1 person likes this
@redlime (94)
• Philippines
5 Jul 07
Whem I see a beggar on the street, I admit, I'm not always giving them any. I'm get touched when I see a little kid on the street because they're helpless than a matured ones. But I would rather give them some coins than giving them food. Maybe they're needing it aside of food.
1 person likes this
@davido (1623)
• Canada
9 Jul 07
Its good to do good but a situation where by this beggars sit at a corner and drink tea and send this small kids to beg for money. I am talking of the people who migrate into Nigeria from Niger a neigbouring country.
I hear that they even steal thjis kids or kill thier parent and use them to make money!
1 person likes this
@alindahaw (1219)
• Philippines
5 Jul 07
Food. If the person begger looks healthy and able bodied, don't give him or her alms. instead, idrectly him or her to the nearest public employment center so that he or she can start looking for a job. Note that if you give a beggar food, he or she might have one decent meal in a day but if you direct him or her to the nearest public employment center, he or she might be able to make something out of him/herself.
1 person likes this
@mrrtomatoe (800)
• Canada
5 Jul 07
I would probably give food over money. All the stories about being in the slum have changed me. I think it is better to give them food because you know it is going towards their well being and not to some other cause which is probably the reason they are in the streets in the first place. Giving them food is like saying "I wanna help you make a new life for yourself" giving them money is like saying "here, now leave me alone"
1 person likes this
@mhye25 (5)
• Philippines
5 Jul 07
I'm sad everytime i see beggars. To ease their pain and lessen their sufferings i tried my best to share what i have and can. foods or money. Beggars will be there always, reminding us to be greatful for all the things we have and to be responsible for all the oppurtunities and chances the Lord is giving to us. If we don't want to end up like them.
1 person likes this
@meljessxena (2315)
• Australia
6 Jul 07
i try and give what i can, but at the moment im poor so i cant afford a thing, if i got some coins on me or food i would give to them, but usually they need money so they buy food and drinks or a bed etc so i think if they prefer money to give them money.
@ladysurvivor (4746)
• Malaysia
6 Jul 07
Sometimes it depends on the condition of the beggar. If he has kids I would rather give him food because it can be enjoyed immediately by the children. But if he's alone, I would rather give him money so he can do whatever he wants with it later. Maybe he has some other more important thing to buy later.
@roniroxas (10559)
• Philippines
5 Jul 07
no. i would rather give them food for i am sure they will eat it. i used to give money but they just gamble with it.
@liyan97 (2127)
• Northern Mariana Islands
9 Jul 07
I would give beggars on the streets food or money!
Granted I myself am poor but if there was a chance that I can buy at least a piece of gum for someone who hasn’t eaten in days just to relieve their stomach pains I would!
Money I really will admit that is something I might not have to give most of the time but when it comes to food, I will give it all if necessary.
Reguardless if they are beggars or working class individuals, we are all human and I can never see myself walking away from another individual in hunger.
@PinkBlush69 (62)
• Philippines
6 Jul 07
Whatever i have by that time,food or coin i would gladly give them. Sometimes they are annoying yet i cant take it not giving a small attention for them specially the street kids..and again,im feeling so lucky to have a great life than living in the streets.
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
5 Jul 07
If Im at all able I always give to those that ask. Once I handed 5.00 to a man on the street holding out his hat for money. My friend scolded me." He is only going to go and buy booze with it", she scolded. She was probably right but who are we to judge these people. If I contribute to a bottle and that bottle happens to be the one and only bright spot of that person's day... then I'm happy to contribute.
1 person likes this
@kissamyface (3)
•
6 Jul 07
In the past I have given money to the homeless, but I later on I had doubts I was doing the right thing. Suppose I was assisting them in supporting a substance abuse problem. I do not want to be an enabler. Therefore, I think buying a needy person food from the store is the best decision.
@senthil2k (1500)
• India
5 Jul 07
It depends on the Beggar. If the beggar is some old fellow or a handicapped, then I will give him money rather than the food. Because the money might help him out for his other daily needs also.
But if the beggar is some healthy fellow and begs just because he dont have a job, then I will think twice before giving him something. At the most, I will try to give them some food , thats all.
