Do you help the needy?

United States

November 20, 2008 7:24pm CST

Who here in the wonderful world of myLot actively helps the needy and the homeless? Are you the kind of person to always feel the need to donate your extra change to whoever may be collecting for some kind of charity, or maybe spend some spare time at the local soup kitchen? Or do you find it annoying, especially around the holidays where every store you enter during the month of December is ringing a bell outside the front door, asking for any spare change you're willing to part with? For me, I do feel a pain in my heart every time I drive by 1 specific intersection that is a homeless guys "regular" spot, holding a sign reading "Anything will help", where I can't help but wonder where he got the black marker to even make this sign he holds. But then I find my my mind wandering, I try to think of what lead him to the life he's living now. Why can't he go and get a job, even if it's for minimum wage, and earn a little bit of cash? No one knows why a lot of people live how they live, how they got there, and why they can't change their life for the better. I'm not one to stop and give some spare change to someone standing on the corner. Who's to say they're not saving up for a cheap bottle of vodka? It's hard to say. I will donate a toy here and there to a charity or what not, maybe volunteer somewhere. What are your thoughts on this subject?

2 people like this

15 responses

@mods196621 (3652)

• Philippines

21 Nov 08

I seldom give money to them I give what they asking for like foods,clothes or anything they are going to use as possible. By giving them money there are the tendencies for them to spend it for nothing. At first I will think over if they really need something. Because here in my place there are syndicates running a business for they are using those people around the corner just for begging. So I must give them usually foods and clothes.

2 people like this

• United States

21 Nov 08

Thank you for the response! I agree with what you are saying about not knowing what they will go and spend the money on. It's very easy to go and blow money on stuff you really don't need, even if you don't intend to do so. I just hope that the money that is going to different foundations and charities really get spent towards what they are telling people.

@PrincessKitten (790)

• United States

23 Nov 08

I volunteer at my local crisis center, and at my local museum. One time, while coming home from my boss' Christmas party, there was a man under an overpass who was looking for whatever I could spare. I gave him the pineapple upside-down cake my boss' wife had made and sent home with me. Not the most nutritious thing, I know, but it was probably delicious. To give more of myself to good causes, I am currently working towards a degree in Human Services Administration, which will hellp me help my local non-profits, starting with the Humane Society. If anyone would like to help me, by doing online searches, go to www.igive.com and choose the Garland County Humane Society. Each time you do a search through their search engine, they make a small donation to the Humane Society. Thank you and Happy MyLotting!

1 person likes this

• United States

25 Nov 08

Thank you for your response. That's so sad to see people begging for whatever they can get their hands on. I'm sure that man was very gracious for the pineapple upside down cake, probably the most he had to eat all day or even longer. I don't really see many people in my city that are begging on street corners, so I've never given in to someone. I wouldn't know what to give them though - I wouldn't give them money because I don't know what they're going to do with it. I think it's very wrong to be begging for money if you're only going to spend it on something useless. But it sounds like you're doing a great job in helping others, and I love that you're choosing to help out the humane society, that's such a great cause.

@Thumper11 (662)

• United States

21 Nov 08

Well, I'm a social work major and a psychology minor at eku. I have volunteered at a local women's shelter for over a year. I have helped the women who run the shelter to open up a thrift/ second hand store, where they can sell their extra donations of household items and clothing and make some extra money for bills. I have yard sales to get rid of my stuff once a year and I always have more people put their stuff in, well, when it's over, I take anything that is left to the shelter. I know that if they can't use it, they will pass it on to someone who can. They help not only victims of domestic violence, but also people who have had thier houses burnt and things of that nature. I donate all of my extras there.... I feel that this is a good cause. I have been the victim of domestic violence before, I feel that I can relate in some way to these women, I was lucky enough though to have a place to go and such, but some people are not that lucky. Some come to us with just the clothes on their backs, some have children with them, some don't it's really sad.

1 person likes this

• United States

21 Nov 08

Thank you so much for your input. I think what you do sounds like such a great thing. You sound very dedicated and passionate about what you are doing to help these women and children. Battered women and children are almost in a whole differet category in my mind, as opposed to others (more likely men) that are standing on a corner begging for money. I'm not quite sure why. I know when something tragic like this happens in their life, it's hard and takes time to get past it, to move on and continue with life.

@ckhair13 (185)

• United States

21 Nov 08

I always donate clothes and now I have been donating baby things to another charity. As far as food I used to donate, but now with money being so tight & things getting so bad I just can't do it. This is so awful to think about, but one of these days I may end up being on the other end & recieving the help. I hope not though!

1 person likes this

• United States

25 Nov 08

Thanks for the respone! That's great that you can still donate clothes and baby things. Food prices have gone up so much in the grocery stores, it's unbelievable!! I hate grocery shopping now, I dread how much money I'm going to be spending on just enough food to get my family by for a week. But clothes are the easiest things to donate, if you don't want or need it anymore, you might as well donate it to someone that will be glad to have it. It's sad to think that with how our economy is turning out that more and more people will be on the receiving end as opposed to on the giving end.

@Agathacoco (336)

• China

21 Nov 08

I think it is necessary to help the homeless especially who I meet were children and old people. They almost have no ability to support their lives,that is the only things we should do for them.

1 person likes this

help the homeless we meet

• United States

21 Nov 08

Thank you for the input. These children that are homeless and/or needy, where are their parents? I don't understand why the parents can't get a part time job to at least provide a little for their children. My son comes first in everything I do. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't provide for him. These people have got to live such sad lives.

@laladida (151)

• United States

21 Nov 08

I give some money to charities like penny harvests

1 person likes this

• United States

25 Nov 08

Thank you for the response! I've never heard of penny harvest, but if they're using the money for a good cause, then that's great of you to help out. I know it's getting harder and harder for people to donate money when money is tight for them as well. I keep praying that our economy will turn around, grocery prices in the stores will decrease. Gas prices have finally reached below $2/gallon here which I am very thankful for. In a matter of months I went from having to spend $45 to fill my tank to just $20, what a break on my wallet!! I could really use the extra money now more than ever.

@rjbass (1422)

• United States

21 Nov 08

My sentiments exactly. I will go out of my way to help the needy though handing over spare cash is not the solution to helping them. I will donate cash once a year during the holidays, though it is to a charity of my choice that has a proven track record of helping whatever cause they are raising money for. A few times a year, whether it is by myself otr company sponsored, I will donate my time by helping out in a soup kitchen or handing food out at a local food bank. Something that I know helps the needs of the individuals who take advantage of these services. They are there to help themslves and that's where it starts.

1 person likes this

• United States

21 Nov 08

Thank you so much for your input. I think what you're doing is one of the most effective ways of helping the needy. It's just so sad that we can't trust anyone these days. To say that they're collecting for a charity or for a certain cause, then to turn around and pocket the money is unheard of. How can these people live with themselves? The best way in my eyes is to donate your time in helping those in need. There would be no soup kitchens if no one would take the time to help out.

• Philippines

21 Nov 08

Hello tklich' I have the same feeling with you and my heart wanted to bleed to see people specially children along the street asking for some change. I cannot stop myself from giving at least they have something to buy for bread. Others will say dont do it for they will only used to gamble their money, but no, i dont care what people say as long as I give in an innocent heart. Once in a while, my children will packed some canned goods for donation and there is a good feeling in giving, it may be small amount but it is our simple way to help others. Happy posting

1 person likes this

• United States

21 Nov 08

Thank you so much for the response. It would be very heartbreaking to see a child on the streets begging for money. In this world though it's just so hard to believe if anyone is sincere. I used to work in retail and parents would send their children in to steal stuff for them...very sad. I'm sure some of the cases are legit, but I would just rather not donate money. By donating canned goods or clothing, there's a better chance of these items going to good use.

@visa2wealth (82)

• India

21 Nov 08

I usually help the needy people. Normally i help the children who are in need for education.

1 person likes this

• United States

21 Nov 08

Thank you for taking the time to respond. That's a great way to help children in need. A lot of people don't think about the unfortunate people and children that often times miss out on education, or may need extra attention in certain areas of education. That's very nice of you and others to take the time and effort to help further their knowledge and open up opportunites for them in the future.

@relundad (2310)

• United States

21 Nov 08

I do volunteer for a few organization that support the homeless and hungry. I usually don't give to beggars on the street. But on occassion I have given to just random people on the streets. Unfortunately when people are on the street you don't know if they are just scamming or for real. I prefer to donate where I know that the money will go to support the cause and the problems that they may have.

1 person likes this

• United States

21 Nov 08

Thank you for the response. I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one wondering if people standing on the street are just trying to scam ya outta your money. I would much more prefer to give some food or clothing to those who can't afford it. When I was growing up at home, I can remember my mom bagging up our clothes that didn't fit or we didn't want any longer to give to the good will. I would much more rather NOT give them to the good will though, there are much better places to give the clothes to where they give them to people for free, not charge them.

@lazeebee (5461)

• Malaysia

21 Nov 08

We would usually donate clothes, books or foodstuff, rather than cash, so that the money would not be used for other purposes. However, when I donate cash, I would do it in faith - I would like to trust that the money has been put to good use.

1 person likes this

• United States

21 Nov 08

Thank you for your input. I think everyone would be able to LIKE to trust that the money is being put to good use, but how do we know? I can see maybe throwing some change in a bucket to help someone out once in a while isn't much of a loss, but how do we know where this money is going? What if you found out that you donated money on a regular basis every month to a certain charity, only to find out some selfish person is pocketing the money and just blowing it? I know there are honest people out there, but sadly enough in today's world, we just can't trust everyone.

@katrhina23 (1282)

• United States

21 Nov 08

I dont really give my loose change to the needy but most of the time donate to the church o charities. I believe there is a right place and time to donate and give. These people will get used to earn from people and they wouldnt find their way to get a job or improve their lives. I am sorry , but this is what I believe, they make it as their occupation if they dont stop it. There are some agencies where they could ask help and not from people in their houses.

1 person likes this

• United States

21 Nov 08

Thank you for taking the time to respond with your input and honest thoughts. I agree with you - some of these people become do dependent on just begging for charity from other people, they don't ever stop and try to make it on their own. Why can't they go get a job like everyone else? What's stopping them?! Some people may have disabilities or what not. I understand that not every single person is able to get a job, but I know there are people out there that really could get one, they just choose not to. They need to learn how to support themselves and work for a living, just like most of the rest of us do.

• Hungary

21 Nov 08

My mother always buys me clothes. Since we're far away from each other, she's not updated with my latest measures and therefore, the clothes she buys for me are most of the times larger or smaller. So I usually donate those clothes. But I don't give money to homeless people! I'm compassionate about their situation but I can't give money to a person who can work but doesn't want to. If I can go to work, so can they. If a small child asks for money I give him food. :)

1 person likes this

• United States

21 Nov 08

Thank you so much for your input! I agree with what you have to say - why can't these people standing on a street corner holding a sign and asking for money just go and get a job?! Who cares if they go work part time at McDonalds? It would be better than nothing at all. People can't always depend on getting everything handed to them. You have to work hard for what you really want out of life. Nothing comes for free. I'm sure a lot of it depends on their upbringing, or maybe something tragic that has happened in their life.

• China

21 Nov 08

I would like to help people who need my help, like a volunteer. For the money I prefer to donate money to some kids who cannot go to school because of the circumstance of thire family. In my opinion every child in the wonderful world has the right to be deucated. But in my country tough the compulsory education is for all the kids, there still a lot children cannot go to school. I do give some spare change to someone standing on the street sometime, but not all the time. Because I think some of them can find a job by themself, and can earn money from that. And I thind they do have an organization of vagrants. They live for this and this is their job. I donot like that, so I don't give them my money.

1 person likes this

• United States

21 Nov 08

Thank you so much for your input. I agree with what you have to say about people having the capabilities of finding a job, they just choose not to. Why should we have to work harder, pay state taxes, and donate to them when they could go out and earn their own income? There are tons of people on state assistance, where they receive help from the state from money that is taken out of OUR paychecks, that really don't deserve to get it! They should be able to go get their own job, work more hours, or do something!

@ersmommy1 (12588)

• United States

21 Nov 08

I do not give money. We donate cans of food during food drives. And to the Boy scouts. We donate clothing to the local childrens home and battered Woman shelter. If I have spare change it will go into the Salvation Army Kettles.

1 person likes this

• United States

21 Nov 08

Thank you so much for your response. I can understand why you don't give money. I would second guess where my money was actually ending up at. I would rather give a specific item needed, just to be rest assured you are donating something that will be of good use.