How do you respond when a homeless person asks you for money?
By Robyn
@floridachick (603)
United States
March 8, 2012 10:38pm CST
I used to give them change, but one time my brother packed a lunch for him and his girlfriend to go fishing under a bridge well a homeless person was there and asked him for money so that he could by FOOD, well my brother did not have any money but gave him one of the sandwiches he made. A few hours later when my brother was walking back he seen the sandwich on the ground. He knew it was the one he made because the way he cut it (he cut it in half) it was the same way he made it and in the same baggie. It is sad because you want to help them but when you do they trow the food away?
Another time I gave money and instead of buying food they'd buy drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. so I don't give money directly to them anymore instead I donate to charities who help homeless, or I give them directions to a shelter that will give them a hot meal and place to stay.
1 person likes this
10 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
10 Mar 12
My husband and I always help out the homeless because we were homeless a few years ago and we know how it feels. We do not give them money though. Today as a matter of fact we were at mcdonalds getting a sweet tea and there was a homeless guy walking across the road. My husband called him over and gave him the burger he bought for the guy. The man was so grateful to have food! If they are REALLY homeless they will be very happy for food. They are not all scam artists because we were not scamming anyone when we were homeless and neither was this man today. It makes me sad that some scammers can make legit homeless people look really bad. Then no one wants to help when they really do need our help...
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
9 Mar 12
My husband and I thru our Church are now doing a homeless ministry. This means we make sandwiches and bring them water, etc. We usually go where groups of them hang out, and we only hand to those who want them unless we have extras. We actually have gotten to know some of them. We never hand them money though. This is something that someone else would have to do, but we feel material things should be first besides money.
@mytime08161983 (75)
• Philippines
9 Mar 12
if i have extra money or food i give it to them if i don't have i let them understand that it is not a good time for them to ask, and sometimes if i clean my closet and gather all my old clothes i gave it to them too even if they are not asking for it just sharing some of my blessings to them, even if i am not rich and my earnings is just enough for my family i still see to it that in some other ways i can help them or share with them some necessities that they cannot afford. and thank god for letting me do that instead of me asking for alms right
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
9 Mar 12
I respond differently on different occassions from people who seems to have no home because they look very rugged and dirty. sometimes i would not give them anything and sometimes i would take pity and give them something that i have, like food if i have some; or if i have coins and feeling a bit generous, i would give them my spare coins.
@monyetgil4 (39)
• Indonesia
9 Mar 12
No, not me. I never give'em anything directly, instead i donate through charity org. Why? because in my country, begging in an industry. A coordinator put the beggars at some points in the city, spread them to beg around the city and pick'em up in the night. They share some of their profits to the coordinator.
